Do you have Frugal Fatigue?

[isabella]

Anyone here have frugal fatigue?

I am quoting below from an article (I don't know how to get it into quote boxes)

Frugal fatigue, essentially, is a tiredness over pinching pennies. According to an NFCC poll, 66% of respondents are tired of watching every penny, but say they have no other option. Only 5% of the respondents have decided to begin spending more, while another 8% of the respondents said they have not made changes to their spending habits in recent years.

Then there is the remaining 21%, who acknowledge lifestyle and spending changes and say those moves are both positive and permanent.

There’s an interesting dichotomy between the two largest groups of consumers here, the fatigued and the feeling better. Chances are that both groups look about the same, financially speaking, but one group is anxious to return to its old ways while the other likes how it feels to be more financially fit.

ETA, more to the article at this link ...http://www.marketwatch.com/story/americans-latest-problem-frugal-fatigue-2011-02-09

so are you suffering from frugal fatigue? what do you do to stay on target?
I have been watching spending, tightening up and saving extra with the goal to buy a new roof this year. I know I will come out of this with new spending habits and some will stick others won't.
Joining the Low Spend Monthly thread I think will help keep me accountable, so many thanks to all

[Gardening Grandma]

so are you suffering from frugal fatigue? No, (but from the "Low Spend" thread in SS, one might argue I'm not all that frugal.


what do you do to stay on target? I have long and short term goals. Tracking helps me stay focused on my goals instead of whatever "goodie" is catching my eye momentarily.

I'm not pinching pennies because we are trying to stay out of the poorhouse. I DO watch and track our spending so that we can stay in our target. That way, there will be money for a trip next year, savings for the grandkids' college, and our retirement funds won't be depleted before we die.

Tracking has simply become a habit.

[pepperdoo]

No, not yet. I like seeing the results of even just a bit of discipline:)

[nalto]

There are times, yes. Sometimes after a rough day or week, I just want to go "reward" myself with something, anything. I manage to talk myself out of it (most of the time,) and I'm always glad I did.

[chicg]

Interesting, I just brought this topic up on my regional Women in Red Racers thread yesterday. I had commented that I've noticed a shift in the spending/savings habits that I've been seeing on the various threads (seems to be less urgency to pay debts and more resistence to cutting back on things) and I wondered if people were spending more because the general uptick in the economy has caused a bit of a comfort level, or maybe they're just tired of penny-pinching, etc. I don't know the answer, but interesting coincidence.

I'm almost out of cc debt and I've definitely noticed a bit more of a relaxed feeling with my spending, but I'm really trying to hold onto my budget and still live like I'm paying down debt since I need to catch up on savings now. Sometimes I have "frugal fatigue" but for the most part I can control it, I just think of how far I've come and the goals I still have.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Sometimes, yes. Right before my wonderful DH came home from Iraq, I realized I needed to buy him a 12-pack of Diet Coke and I didn't want to shop around and compare prices. So I just bought one 12-pack ... but it was $5.98! (EEEK) This week, we saw Diet Coke 12-packs on sale and bought 3 more for $9 ... which means that they were 1/2 the price of that first 12-pack. But, as I was said, I was pressed for time and tired of comparison shopping and just paid the nearly $6 for that 12-pack.

$3 bucks here and there isn't a huge deal on our budget, but it does add up. So even when I find myself sliding away from being a Smart Spender, I try to remotivate myself by coming HERE (this forum) and to other frugal bloggy places, and try to get back into the groove.

[Apple]

Interesting question, but no, I'm not even close to feeling "fatiqued." I think it's because I don't have to be frugal, it's just a choice I've lived with for so long that it's natural. Part of it is my priorities, I still spend when I feel it's worth it, so I have an outlet. Back when I was poor it was hard though because I couldn't spend money, there wasn't any extra to spend.

Even after this house is built I have enough goals to keep my spending in check. I want to travel and I want to retire early. I'll be frugal everywhere else to achieve this.

[Waffle]

Not at the moment. But I do have spendthrift tendencies and sometime down the road, I'm sure I'll get the itch to buy some stuff I don't need like new clothes. But as long as I stay on my track with my larger goals I'm ok with the occasional splurge.

[Deleted]

I had frugal fatigue when I had to be frugal. It was just so stressful. And it showed when I had more resources, I went a little nuts. Now I'm working on getting back to being properly frugal. I like the rewards of it. I like having retirement savings and a balance in the bank and able to take trips etc. I used to waste my money $10 at a time and never be able to afford the bigger, funner items. Now I watch the $10 and get the fun stuff.

[thinblue]

I agree with Apple....I don't have to be frugal, but it sure helps when I am saving for something specific. I like seeing my EF increase, even at small increments, it makes me feel good! I am planning on a solid year of really cutting back and so far so good.....

[dancinmama]

Feb 9, 2011 13:00:24 GMT -5 Apple said:

Interesting question, but no, I'm not even close to feeling "fatiqued." I think it's because I don't have to be frugal, it's just a choice I've lived with for so long that it's natural.

It's funny how it's much easier to be frugal when you don't need to be. When I was broke, I could ALWAYS think of things that I wanted to buy. When we became financially secure, a lot of the everyday frivolous stuff became a lot less desirable even though I had longed for the day when I would be able to afford it.

Our frugality is natural too. We do splurge a little on things that we really enjoy (concert/sporting event tickets), and buy what we want and need as soon as we can find the right balance between quality and price in what we have decided to purchase whether it be a TV or dishwasher or whatever. Sometimes that can take a while. If there is any frugality fatigue it would be over the process of purchasing rather than not purchasing at all.

[busymom]

Do I have frugal fatigue? No, at least not most of the time. When I find something on a clearance rack (gotta love January & February clearance sales!) that my kids actually need, it's almost like an adrenalin rush! (I got something for under $3, that would've been $30 before Christmas). Maybe when everything but the house is paid off I'll get the "urge to splurge", but right now saving money feels good!

[Tiny]

Do I have frugal fatigue? No. I've got my allowance to spend over the course of two weeks (pay period). This Friday is payday and I'm currently "destitute" as I spent all my money - but there isn't anything I need to buy - I've got breakfast/lunch/dinner covered thru Saturday. I've got the $15 I need for a Lunch Outing on tomorrow. I did have to consciously keep the $15.00 in Allowance money reserved for Lunch... but it wasn't hard. Of course, if someone asks me if I want to go out for Drinks after work on Thursday or Friday - I'm gonna have to say no. I'll survive. My Allowance replenishes on Saturday.

I've never had such a tight budget that I didn't have something for Fun Money (or Allowance) - even if it was $10.00 for two weeks... ($10 went alot further years ago).

[texaspn]

Overall I enjoy the challenge of being frugal and getting a good deal. Occasionally, I will get tired of it but find that spending unwisely not nearly as satisfying as being frugal.

[rubyslippers]

I still enjoy picking up pennies too much to be financially fatigued. I too have an allowance so if I wanted something badly enough, I could get it but I don't really want anything now. With our frigid weather this winter, the last thing I want to do is go out shopping for anything. I like watching our savings grow and the rewarding feeling I get from having the discipline to save.

[coffeegrl]

I'm working towards losing 50 pounds, so right now I have motivation to be frugal. I'm hoping to have lost enough to need a new fall wardrobe and I have to save money for that! I'm sure my summer clothes will still be ok and fall is my favorite season. So that's what I am aiming for saving some money towards. A new fall wardrobe!

[Artemis Windsong]

Yes, I'm tired of chasing bargains but have to continue on. I check the ads and do a loop of the stores to get the ad items. Most of the time it's restocking as the sales come up. The 2 things that gripe me are buying breakfast cereal DH likes and soda pop. At the next sale, I stocked up for 6 months after he told me the day after the reduce sales were on that he needed the stuff.

I was unhappy with CVS as I had the $1 off coupon and tried to find the Valentine M&Ms. They were out. I skipped their candy sale and will wait until after Valentines day.

I can also go to Walmart and not buy a thing. Also the Dollar Store. It's mostly stay with the list and nothing else.

[angel007]

Frugal fatigued? HA! Not a chance~! We can see retirement in our future, so every cent we save now = an earlier date to move to what - is - now - our - vacation/cottage home....and retire there. It could be in as little as 5 yrs.! *He hasn't yet committed to a firm date, but I'm working him...hehehe..*
Dh is 47, and I am............his cougar! haha..

[Deleted]

I'm just getting started with be "FRUGAL". I like what I see in my savings account and what I see as my saving when I go shopping..

[bobbysgirl]

I think we have to be careful of the 'fatigue'. It can bite a person in the buns. I get a good feeling when I see numbers grow and get a real bargain on an item I am looking for. I don't buy unless I hit my target price. I walk away from many things and don't feel deprived. It is my way of life.

If I feel I want to go outside of my normal purchases, I do. A good cup of Timmy's coffee is a treat for me and feels so good. Maybe my expectations are tied to what I feel is important. I'm not sure. It must be connected in some way. The powers to be already know most people spend when advertising appeals to some psychological level.

Like anything else in life, a person needs to find the balance that works for them.

(I see I'm on my soap box tonight!)

[ambellamy]

for me its about finding balance so I'll try not to spend any unnecessary money for a month, then give myself a little spending money the next month, then try to pinch pennies the next month. It gives good balance and it gives me time to think about purchases to really see if I need them.

Since I try and avoid stores when i'm pinching pennies, I make a list of things I think I need/want, and when the next month comes along, if I still need and want them, then I will go to store for the purpose of getting them. Most times I end up not needing to get them and instead will treat myself to a starbucks smoothie when i'm out and about, or dinner with some friends.

If I had to take every month as a no spend month, i'd go a little crazy.... more than a little....

[Peace77]

Sometimes, mostly when I don't have the physical energy to go to more stores.
Sometimes, it's easier to go to a store on the way than out of the way to a cheaper store.
Or, sometimes the cheaper store is closed and we'll pay a little more for something like milk instead of waiting.

[readsalot]

No. I just wrote a check for our childs 1st year @ a State University and it was for the FULL amount. It feels awesome to have saved enough to pay IN -FULL for the year. Our vacation over Spring Break is also already paid in-full, and our EF is still intact! Actually writing that check inspired me to become even more frugal!!!

[Frugal Nurse]

No "frugal fatigue" here! I work hard for my money and want to make sure I'm making it work hard for me! That being said, I'm of the "I don't have to be frugal" crowd. I could live frivolously, but then I would just be worried about $$ all the time, and I wouldn't be happy. I think that forced frugality, where you don't even have the option of buying things that you want or are living paycheck to paycheck, always stressed about making the payments, would cause me to burn out really quickly. That constant stress isn't good for anyone's health, and I'm thankful to not be in that position.

[Frugal Nurse]

I also think that it helps to have a DH who is supportive of the frugality. This week he is off of work, but we can't go anywhere because I have school. So we have had a "stay cation" of frugality. Tuesday we used $20.00 Groupons to go to Barnes & Noble. He did WAY better than me. He got 3 books and hot cocoa for $21 and some change. I got one book and a coffee for that much, but it was still a good deal (I know- the library would've been free. but we are avid readers and usually re-read things a few times. Plus, it was a fun date! ) Then we went to Marshall's and did some shopping. It is usually hit-or-miss there, but we definitely hit! He got several pairs of shorts, and I got a few spring and summer dresses and some shirts. Yesterday we used Q's from the entertainment books to go bowling for 1/2 price, and today we'll probably go see a movie (I have a free ticket from doing a good deed at work), then maybe ice skating with a Q from the entertainment book. Frugality doesn't have to = boring!

[donnafreedman]

I'm inspired by people's progress (Readsalot: You GO!) and empathize with those who are tired of frugality. And I agree that some kind of small treat or an allowance of splurge money -- even just $10 a month if that's all you can spare -- makes a big difference.
I'm not suffering from frugal fatigue per se, although sometimes I want to go out to eat -- just to have someone else cook for me! When I do, it's usually some kind of coupon special at Qdoba or Arby's. An occasional $3.99 roast beef combo or a $5 chicken burrito w/drink won't break the bank, and I like the naughty thrill of paying someone to do what I usually do for myself.
Twenty-nine nights out of 30, though, it's just me and my kitchen. :-)

[tiredboomer]

There are days that I suffer from minor frugal fatigue, and that usually results in a dinner out. Like today when I've just finished two Valentine's parties with two groups of three-year-olds and can't stand the idea of putting something together for dinner, no matter how much dinner out costs. Major frugal fatigue - not very often although I maybe having a case of it now. DH got his annual bonus yesterday, and I have been dreaming of the ways I could use it. I know, deep inside, that it will end up in the IRAs, however.

[998fbird]

I have been suffering from a little frugal fatigue and I did a couple of small splurges, some new clothes off of the clearance racks, some fast food and a matinee movie w/popcorn and drink.
This evening I worked out the payment schedule (again) to pay off a couple of bills, and I'm back on the frugal train, at least for now.

[Sharon]

I don't know if it is frugal fatigue or life fatigue. My job is high stress at the moment. Getting DD ready for college next fall, high stress. Worrying about paying for college- stress. When I get stressed I don't sleep well and don't eat well. Pretty soon I am in a spiral.

When the stress builds a lot then I start eating out. I get just too tired to make a lunch, too tired to make dinner etc. I am doing better than I have in past times of high stress. I come here and post, read, and try to stay motivated.

Yesterday had DD at the oral surgeon's, it is time to remove wisdom teeth. My portion of the cost will be over $1000.00. I had gotten up at 4am to be to work by 5:30. We had hamburgers at Shari's last night for dinner. That was $25.00 I shouldn't have spent even if we did get free pie. I didn't know you get pie with your dinners on Wednesday.

[bobbysgirl]

SHARON: I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time. Perhaps this is a time you should slide when you need to. Kind of be frugal with your health and well being rather than money. Good luck.