Why is it so Hard to Be Frugal?

I have tried for many years to be thrifty and frugal. I read money-saving and personal finance blogs. I clip coupons and try to buy what's on sales each week at the supermarket. However, there are many other frugal actions which I know I should be taking, but am not.

I'm one of those people who have little time and am willing to sometimes spend extra money to save steps. For example, I don't own an extra freezer. This means that I can't buy meat on sale and save it for future use. I also don't think far enough ahead of time to remember to defrost the frozen food for dinner.

Trent Hamm, who writes the blog "The Simple Dollar", actually makes his own laundry detergent. The cost of homemade laundry detergent is 3¢ per gallon if you follow his instructions! But I can't summon up the energy to make a list of ingredients and go through the process. I'll buy already made detergent for now.

Other frugal enthusiasts make dinner ahead of time, say on a Sunday, and cook enough food for the entire week. This amazing display of effort results in a family having dinners for the week and resisting the urge to order pricey take out food or purchase supermarket prepared dinners.

According to the tightwad type books I have read, when frugal people go out to dinner, they usually go only to restaurants which have buy one get one meal free coupons or early bird specials. These same people might also order only one dish and share it with the other person. I' personally would wither at the scornful looks of the waiter if I acted this way.

Having a baby gives parents a whole new opportunity to be frugal. When you have a baby, you can make your own wipes, make and use your own cloth diapers and prepare your own baby food.

Don't forget to shop at second hand stores for clothing and to go to yard sales to buy your kids toys. The possibilities are endless for being a frugal parent and the thought of all that work on top of just taking care of the baby is enough to give you a nervous breakdown.

Embracing the frugal life has many rewards. The most obvious advantage is saving money and watching your bank account grow. I fall in the middle and will be frugal when it's convenient for me and doesn't cut into my precious little free time.