10 Reasons Why Frugality Isn’t as Good as It Claims To Be

Can you get so caught up in planning for everyday expenses and mortgage spending that your frugality can cause you to miss out on good things in life? There are sometimes when people regret being too frugal for many reasons.

I Regret Being Frugal

Sad old woman in autumn
Image Credit: aletia via DepositPhotos.com.

Being frugal is often seen as a smart and responsible way to manage money. However, it’s not always easy to strike the right balance between saving money and living better. In fact, there are times when being too frugal can lead to regrets and missed opportunities.

Someone recently shared, “I’ve made a life-long game of seeing how cheaply I could live and how much I could do without. I saved my vacation time at work so I could be paid for it instead.”

However, now they are retired and not enjoying their money as much as they believe they may have when they were younger. They even went as far as to say, “I think I regret being frugal.” So is there such a thing as being too frugal? Here are ten honest responses.

Be Frugal About the Right Things

Fun tourist woman in summer casual clothes, hat, orange sunglasses with suitcase, passport
Image Credit: dmvasilenko via DepositPhotos.com

One indicated slowly learning that being frugal is about being “frugal on the RIGHT things so you can still enjoy life.” For example, on their vacation, they watch spending on flights and lodging so they can spend more money on experiences and tours.

Striking a Balance

Group of happy friends shopping
Image Credit: macniak via DepositPhotos.com.

“Striking a balance between saving for later and YOLO is a classic problem, but it’s a good problem to have.” Many people don’t have a choice. “It’s either live frugally or burn.”

However, they advised that you can’t take your money with you and it’s better to enjoy it now by living like “you’re going to die tomorrow.”

Don’t Be Cheap

Man in white shirt holding money box
Image Credit: outsiderzone via DepositPhotos.com.

There is a difference between frugality and cheapness. One warned that you should spend money on things that add joy and happiness to your life while still being frugal and not cheap. Don’t deny yourself entirely, but be responsible.

Make New Friends

retired couple sitting on beach
Image Credit: dmbaker via DepositPhotos.com.

One said that, in their experience,  retirement is a great time to make new friends. People are retiring from work and looking for new friends. Additionally, some have lost loved ones and searching for a new circle of friends. They advised joining senior clubs, church, service groups, and library programs to meet new friends.

Be Frugal With Materialistic Things

Doctor with female patient
Image Credit: monkeybusiness via DepositPhotos.com.

Another takeaway is to be frugal with worldly things, not experiences. For example, there is no guarantee that your health and quality of life will be there when you reach retirement age.

Read Die With Zero

Girl reading book in bus
Image Credit:
AllaSerebrina via DepositPhotos.com.

Many suggested they read Die with Zero by Bill Perkins. Someone asked, “Did you know that people with annuities or other guaranteed monthly incomes spend more lavishly than people with a nest egg? Simply because of the fear of tapping into it?”

 

Another factoid: “Your spending WILL decrease after about 75.” You don’t have the energy or desire to leave and do stuff the same way. “So budget that in.”

Enjoy Life While You Can

Senior couple drinking juice in pool
Image Couple:
aletia via DepositPhotos.com.

“Don’t be so frugal; you let life pass you by.” This user shared a story about visiting Maui, Hawaii, in their 20s. First, they took a bus tour of the road to Hana. After returning to the black sands beach, everyone except an elderly couple jumped out to explore.

 

“I created a story in my mind that they probably saved their whole lives for this trip and now don’t have the physical ability to enjoy it fully. I will never forget that couple.”

Stay Frugal

New Remove BG Save Share Sample Happy and playful senior woman having fun
Image Credit: oneinchpunch via DepositPhotos.com.

A friend in the frugal community offered the advice of staying “frugal while spending more on what you enjoy.” They also reminded the thread of the alternatives to frugality, like wondering where your next meal will come from, staying employed as you age, and keeping a roof over your head.

Living for the Day

Happy and playful senior woman having fun
Image Credit: oneinchpunch via DepositPhotos.com.

“My parents were incredibly frugal. They saved and put me through college but sacrificed so much regarding experiences and bucket list items,” one shared.

 

Her mother got sick, and her parents started “living for today” and traveling more. “I wish they’d done it years before.” It’s also why she is trying to do that now and not put it off.

Oops! 10 Surprisingly Rude Phrases You Might Be Saying Unwittingly

offended teen teenage girl
Image Credit: deagreez1
via DepositPhotos.com.

Most people think they are polite in most situations, but there are actually some mannerisms you didn’t realize could be perceived as rude. Some phrases are considered rude that people say without realizing how they can be perceived- Are You?

10 Surprisingly Rude Phrases You Should Stop Saying in 2023

16 Weird Gen Z Trends We Just Don’t Understand

Sneering Parent and Loud Daughter
Image Credit: creatista via DepositPhotos.com.

Does anything that Gen-Z does make you feel baffled and confused? Sometimes it feels like the younger folks have a culture where the trends are weird, and the language is different.

16 Weird Gen Z Trends We Just Don’t Understand

The Big Scam: 18 Things That Are Really Just One Giant Rip-Off

Woman with magnifying glass
Image Credit: Krakenimages.com via DepositPhotos.com.

We’ve compiled a list of 18 things that are secretly just one big scam. Get ready to uncover the truth about some of the biggest rip-offs out there!

The Big Scam: 18 Things That Are Actually Just One Giant Rip-Off

From Ok Boomer To Eye Roll: Gen Z and Millennials Are Sick and Tired of These 28 Boomer Comments

Senior beautiful couple standing together
Image Credit: Krakenimages.com via DepositPhotos.com.

Older generations love giving advice and telling younger people things. While there are plenty of life lessons to learn from older people, young people are tired of hearing some of what boomers have to say.

From OK Boomer To Eye Roll: Gen Z and Millennials Are Sick and Tired of These 28 Boomer Comments

19 Annoying Myths People Still Cling Too Despite Evidence to the Contrary

Woman trying to kiss a man and he is rejecting her
Image Credit: AntonioGuillemF via DepositPhotos.com.

Despite easy access to so much information online, there are some myths people still believe, even though they are easily disproven.

19 Annoying Myths People Still Cling Too Despite Evidence to the Contrary

Source.

This post originally appeared on A Dime Saved.

Hi! I am a millennial mom with a passion for personal finance. I have always been “into” personal finance but got inspired to start my blog after a period of extended unemployment. That experience really changed the way I viewed my relationship with money and the importance of accessible personal finance education.