I am officially throwing frugality out the window.
I have decided that it is time to stop obsessing and just let it be.
Man plans, and G-D laughs.
I had a good plan for how to handle my maternity leave. I prepared and strategized based on my experience with my last two kids.
This time is turning out to be a little different. A very complicated and traumatic birth has basically derailed a lot of my plans.
Taking a Break
I am OK, and my baby is OK. That is all that matters right now. But I do have to make sure that I take care of myself to the best of my ability. That means that for the next few weeks or longer, all sense of frugality is just going out the window.
There are times when money is not the most important thing in the world. Click To TweetI am officially taking a break from being frugal.
In a way, credit card debt is a mixed blessing. On the one hand, it encourages reckless spending and WILL catch up to you at one point. On the other hand, it is a tool that we can use when we need it.
Many people have used credit cards foolishly and regretted it long afterward. But on the flip side, the easy access to credit makes it easiest to make decisions that don’t need to be dictated by money. We have this access to credit that was a luxury reserved only for the already-rich in previous times. We can buy things we need even if we can’t technically afford them.
What does this mean for me?
We are lucky enough to have money saved for this type of situation. I prepared a lot to make this time as easy as possible. I have set up systems for my hone and finances that allow me to take a break from “life.”
If we need to spend more than our funds allow, then we will turn to credit cards to help us through.
Yes, I will be buying the pricey iron supplements that don’t hurt my stomach.
Yes, I will be purchasing food that I need to regain my strength even if it is not on sale and cheaper elsewhere.
Yes, I will be hiring some cleaning help to help keep us sane.
No, I will not be shopping around for diapers to get the lowest price unless it is effortless.
No, I won’t deny myself the small, extra “wants” that I may need to get through this time period.
Yes, I will be relying on the years I spent saving, preparing, and automating to help me through this financially.
Yes, I will start getting back on track as soon as possible.
Yes, I will prioritize paying back any debt accrued and restoring our emergency funds as soon as I am able.
But meanwhile, I am going to be focusing on myself and NOT THE MONEY!
-posted on my phone while breastfeeding because, yay, technology.
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.
YMMV, but I went through a couple pricey iron supplements that made me throw up before landing on the super cheap generic ones (tiny red pills) that had to be taken at the exact same time every day with food. In my case the cheaper ones were were better for my stomach, but since they had to be taken at the same time every day and with food the doctor didn’t try them first.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Congratulations on the new baby!
Money is meant to be spent in times like this–when you need help and can’t manage it all yourself (or even with help from family and friends). Take care of yourself and worry about money again when you are back on your feet physically.
Thanks! I think its important to sometimes not focus on money and live your life. This is one of those times!
Congrats on the baby! Plus, your totally right, money isn’t everything and it shouldn’t be the most important thing in your life. You should enjoy your life and get some “wants” here and there so you don’t run mad in the life of frugality lol.
Thanks! Sometimes life forces us to take a break from our financial goals and that’s ok!
That’s a great thought. I agree it’s not all about money but it’s about making your life a bit easier to bear. Great post
Sometimes we just need to remember what is the most important
Thank you for this useful post!
Only one addition from me. I think how frugal you are depends on your financial obligations and where you are in the life cycle. If you have a spouse, young children to raise, a car and house mortgage it is probably advisable to be frugal regardless of age. Happiness can be obtained without a large amount of money.
That’s absolutely true! I’m taking a temporary break right now due to circumstances but plan to get back into it as soon as I can.
I very much agree! Taking a break from frugality, I believe, is actually a form of self-care. Being frugal takes a lot of hard work and commitment so giving yourself a break is essential.
Its so much work! We need to take a break when we need to- the ultimate self care!
This is so refreshing! We are being very frugal currently because of our upcoming wedding and ongoing house renovations. Next year we splurge! We stop worrying and squirrelling everything we can.
Life is so much more than the money we save.
Take care of you and baby x x
This is so refreshing! We have been frugal and will continue to be so while we have a wedding to pay for and house renovations but we can’t wait for a break.
Take care of you and baby, that’s more important x
Thanks! And congrats on the wedding! So exciting!
Congratulations to you – both for the joy of a new baby and for the years/months of work and planning you put into being able to take a break right now when you need it. Good personal finance = control and you’re taking it!
Thank you! I’m definitely enjoying my maternity leave and glad I spent time preparing for it!
Congratulations on the new baby. I’m so sorry things haven’t worked out. Speaking from my own experience with traumatic birth, do what you need to survive, take care of yourself the best you can, and don’t let anyone diminish your feelings. It’s ok to be upset and feel loss, no matter what anyone says. It’s ok to put difficult things in the back burner and just focus on getting better. Take care of yourself! I’m glad you have the means to ignore frugality for a while and can practice this form of self care.