Your friends might label you the cheapskate of the group and your money-conscious mindset might be a running joke, but there’s no reason to be embarrassed about being frugal.
A lot of people cry broke and whine about never having enough cash to get by, yet they’re not always willing to do what it takes to free up cash and save money. Being frugal is hard work; and if frugality doesn’t come naturally to you, resisting impulse buys can be a daily struggle — but at the end of the day, a frugal mindset benefits your bottom line.
So, while others may make you the butt of their money jokes, here are six reasons why you’ll eventually get the last laugh.
This is who you are
We all have different money personalities. Some people are big spenders, whereas others hold onto a dime as if they won’t earn another. To each his own.
If you’ve been a frugal person for as long as you can remember, you don’t have to apologize for being you. Everyone has their own way of spending money. Just know that there’s a difference between frugal and cheap. Cheapness can affect the quality of your life, but frugality lets you enjoy the same qualify of life for less. Those who like to spend money might pressure you to loosen the purse strings. But if you’re not bothered by your spending habits, you don’t have to change your ways.
You don’t care about keeping up
If you’re committed to being frugal, chances are you don’t feel pressure to keep up with the Joneses or anyone else for that matter. We live in the age of financial peer pressure. This is a big problem in some social circles. If one friend buys a house, then the others are ready to upgrade. If someone wears designer clothes or buys expensive gadgets, then the others have to follow suit. It’s an exhausting cycle that not only reveals an impressionable mind, it keeps people broke.
If you don’t care how others spend their money, and if you’re only interest is your bank account, then being frugal keeps your head out the clouds.
It’s a financial necessity
Others might pressure you to spend money or make comments about your frugal ways. But if you’re frugal out of necessity, there should be no embarrassment or shame. Especially since you’re willing to sacrifice more than a lot of people.
When dealing with money problems, some people want to save face, so they don’t make adjustments to their lifestyle. They continue with old habits, even if it further complicates their situation. A frugal person, on the other hand, does whatever it takes to save money so they can keep a roof over their head, food on the table and clothes on their back.
You might have a bigger bank account
This isn’t a guarantee, but if you choose not to spend your extra income, you’ll probably have a bigger bank account than those who poke fun at you. So, the next time you feel ashamed or pressure to adjust your frugal mindset, look at your savings account. Then consider how most Americans don’t have enough in their savings to handle a small emergency.
You can reach your goals sooner
You might have a long list of financial goals. However, without a lot of extra money, it can take years to fulfill these goals. Being frugal speeds up your progress. If you reduce spending and free up cash in your budget, you’ll have income to pay off debt, save for vacation or prepare for retirement.
You’re teaching your kids good money habits
Kids often mimic the money habits of their parents. Remember this the next time you start feeling embarrassed about your frugality. If you’re an irresponsible spender, your children could imitate this behavior in adulthood with long-term financial consequences. But if your kids see you pinching pennies, looking for deals, and taking advantage of other opportunities to save money, then they’ll probably develop similar good financial habits. And if your children become savvy savers, they can build a firm financial foundation with less debt than their peers. And a bigger nest egg too.
What are some other reasons you shouldn’t be embarrassed about being frugal? Let me know in the comments below.
Photo Credit: Tax Credits
Actually, I’m not embarrassed that I’m frugal, in fact I’m proud of it! I’m not shy that I always tell my daughter that we should save money and we don’t want to buy things that we don’t really need.
Amen to that! My older brother always jabbed at me for having my first dollar. Years later I’ve been retired three years and he is waiting to reach retirement age. Being frugal and being blessed with the foresight to invest in mutual funds for the long haul has paid off, in my case.
I am proud to be frugal and let them know that I am so that they get inspired to be one as well.
Frugal and proud! There are tons and tons of benefits to living a life of frugality, but you have to want it. I always equate it to things like losing weight or achieving any other kind of goal. Slow and steady wins the race – you don’t get rich by being frugal for a month. It’s a complete lifestyle adjustment. Kick ass article, Mikey, and thanks Len for hosting.
It use to be a good thing to save Dollars, but nowadays I’m not worried about them. I am concentrating saving up gold and silver for the troubled years ahead.
Smart man, Jared. I agree that everybody should be accumulating at least a portion — if not all — of their long-term savings in gold and silver.
WTF? All long term savings in gold? A sure way to ruin one’s chances of a sound retirement. I hope you were kidding here, Len.
Nope. Not kidding at all, Joe. If there wasn’t a currency crisis coming in the relative near-future, I’d agree with you … but there is — and precious metals (not bonds) will be the new safe-haven asset when it arrives.
A financial paradigm shift is coming to America. I hope you’re ready for it! I know 99% of all Americans aren’t.
Hi there does this apply to America only? how about Asia?
Most people in Asia (especially China and India) already use gold for their long-term savings; they are culturally wary of using paper instruments like bonds.
I am a very frugal person, my husband 9 year old daughter and I have been on 5 international trips in the past 2 years all PAID FOR using points and miles, cars paid off also, I am looking into buying gold is there any insight that you guys can share with me on getting started, thanks in advance for the info!
Constance, I recommend people getting started in precious metals begin with silver instead of gold — but that’s just me. There are several reputable precious metals companies out there, but I prefer APMEX; their prices are just a bit higher, but they’re reputation is impeccable, their customer service is second to none, and they’ve been around a long long time.
To be frugal or not to be frugal? I’ve chosen to be frugal and I’m proud of it as to the Joneses are broke ,busted and disgusting!
Good for you, Les!
I have always been frugal, but being a single parent honed those skills. I was able to retire, debt free, at 55 to help care for my special needs grandkids. I used to take some crap from my coworkers, but it was usually just kidding, not malicious. You don’t know what life will bring you, being frugal just gives you more choices.
Excellent observation, Deb!