4 Things That You Should Never Be Too Frugal About
On a blog that’s all about being frugal, it seems strange to have a post about things you shouldn’t be frugal about. However, the more you think about it, the more it makes sense. There’s a line that needs to be drawn with certain situations and items, and there are ultimately some expenses that shouldn’t be avoided. Some people make an effort to be as cheap as possible, but they sometimes mistake what being frugal is and that it’s different to being cheap.
Being frugal isn’t about paying the least for something or buying the cheapest item. Being frugal is all about understanding value for money so that you can make smart decisions and reduce waste. So to help you maintain a good balance between frugality and clever spending, here are a few things that you should never be too frugal about.
Food
Cheap food is never going to be as filling as a simple home-cooked meal. If you look at cheap canned food or processed food, you’ll realise that most of it is filler. It could be filled with nasty-sounding chemicals and additives that you probably couldn’t even pronounce. Being frugal makes sense with food because it’s one of the most common expenses that we waste money on. However, there’s a line you should draw and you should always look for food that is filling and healthy while being cheap instead of having a diet that consists of artificial flavors and chemicals.
Services
Whether it’s fixing your plumbing, wires or even hiring a family lawyer, you should never cheap out on services. For instance, if you have a plumbing issue and you decide to fix it by paying your friend’s friend a bit of money, then chances are that plumbing issue is going to come back and haunt you. Similarly, if you’re fighting a case such as a domestic violence dispute, then you want good representation so that you have a higher chance of winning, and the cost of your lawyer is going to reflect his experience and expertise.
Bed
For something you spend roughly eight hours on each night to restore your energy, you better make sure it’s comfortable. You’ll be surprised at how much better you’ll sleep with a comfortable mattress, and if you think paying for an expensive one seems a bit wasteful, then think of it this way. If you buy an expensive branded mattress, you’re looking at 10 or 15 years of use before it wears down and needs to be replaced. For that decade and or more, you’re going to get a fantastic night of sleep every time you lay down. Compare that to getting a cheap mattress you have to replace every two years that hurts your back and you’ll realize that you’ll save more money in the long run by getting an expensive mattress.
Daily Work Items
This last section depends on your type of work. Think about your job and what you do on a regular basis, then decide what items you can buy that will improve your quality of life at work. For instance, if you do a lot of walking, then you should invest in a great pair of shoes that are comfortable and last a long time. If you work at home on your computer, then you will need a comfortable office chair. Getting an ergonomic and durable chair will make all the difference to the posture, which is extremely important if you’re working at your computer for several hours a day.
Great tips on the FOOD and office chairs! Thanks 🙂