Have you ever regretted being frugal?

**sahm629** · 07-06-2011, 12:39 PM

I am actually trying to live my life more frugally now, but I will admit there are times I look back and wish I hadn't been so frugal.

Some examples are, when I was younger, (as crazy as this sounds) I didn't get my eyebrows waxed. I had thick, disgusting eyebrows. Well now I cringe when I look at photos. I knew I needed them waxes, but I didn't want to spend the 15 bucks to get them done, and persoanlly I thought they were that noticeable. Well, now I do. I could have plucked them myself too I guess....

Also, I was sooooooo FIXATED on saving money when we first got married that we didn't have date nights really in our first year of marriage!!! Now that I have 3 kids, I wish we would have enjoyed that time more.

Also I bought things because they were cheaper than the more quality things, and well, I learned my lesson about you get what you pay for!

Anyway, sometimes I wonder if I'll regret some of the frugal choices I am making with my kids sometimes......... just wondering!!!

**Shelli_wnj** · 07-06-2011, 01:03 PM

I don't regret my frugality, however mind was borne out of necessity, carried through the good times, now it's a habit during the hard times. Rather than go without, I learned how to do myself. I think that's an important lesson I learned for myself. Would I like to go get a haircut? YES! But I learned how to do it myself rather than go without one, you know?
As for the kids, we have learned to look for the free activities, like free state park day, etc. Yes, they are missing out on some things, but it's the memories that count, not how much it cost.

**Josephhgoins** · 07-06-2011, 01:17 PM

Frugal or not, I don't really regret any of my decisions. I like to think I learned something from all of them.

I started work at a very early age and when given the choice between work and play I would pick work every time. Now that I look back, I wish I had chosen to play more.

**pollypurebred39** · 07-06-2011, 01:56 PM

Frugal pet care caused a misdiagnosis that delayed proper treatment and possibly (we'll never know for sure) the death of our Beloved Suki Girl. I will forever regret our decision and will NOT get another furry kin member until we are stable again.

**nuisance26** · 07-06-2011, 06:56 PM

~I think about this a lot too. We also didn't do date nights before kids. When we were married my boyfriend's money became our money and it was no longer a priority to get ice cream at Friendly's or go to the movies. Mortgage, groceries, utilities; those were the new priorities.
I was so frugal that I didn't get a second car so I could get a job to generate more income. I didn't think I'd pay off the expense of the car(and the high insurance!) with my income before we started our family. I spent the first couple years of my marriage bored to death and trapped at home.
We really had to be very strict with money then though. We got married on one income of $10 something an hour. We bought a tiny house on that while DH was still making car payments. There was no extra money for anything unless we charged it and I wouldn't do that. We maintained a two month EF.
I sometimes feel regret that I didn't find a way to live it up a bit back then without getting into debt. But when I really analyze what those years did for us financially, the benefits far outweigh the regret and irritation I felt being so bored at home.
Because we were so good with making our payments, DH's credit improved and we were able to refinance our home loan. The extra money allowed us to pay off the car early and put extra money into 401K funding.
I was showered with almost everything we needed for baby #1 and was able to reuse almost everything when #2 came along 2 years later. Our baby expenses were almost non-existent. So by the time #2 came along in the final days of 2004, we were in a pretty secure place financially.
A lot of people with young children live paycheck to paycheck but we had those two foundation building years to create a reasonably stable financial environment.
And this was all on one, low-middle class income.
I really had no idea at the time how well it would turn out for us. But good money management, common sense and determination are the things I can look back on and be proud of. I'm sure it will be a similar experience for you.
And your kids will surprise you by holding the oddest things in their memories as the best times they had. They almost certainly won't be about the haul they got in Christmas '10 or the trip to Disney World. Rather, they'll be the days you spent at the flea markets looking for bargains or the homemade pajamas you made for them every year. And you'll feel proud of the frugal legacy you've instilled in them.
And what concept will aid them more in their adult lives, memories of past abundance or skills and pride in good management?~

**l8eebugg** · 07-06-2011, 08:33 PM

Don't believe I have yet to regret being frugal...I have regretting spending money very often.

**sahm629** · 07-06-2011, 11:03 PM

Thanks for sharing eveyrone!!! Constance - it sounds like you are doing well!!

**krbshappy71** · 07-06-2011, 11:39 PM

I don't know about regretting frugality, I think I regret more the times I was outright cheap or unnecessarily frugal. There were a couple of funerals I probably should have gone to as they still ache my heart that I wasn't there for the living to support them. I didn't even do a card, how cheap is that.

At the time it seemed like the right thing to do, but looking back I'm not so sure.

I regret that sometimes all I hear out of my mouth to people is how to save money instead of just being a friend and listening to them. I want to jump in and fix it and sometimes people just want you to listen. I preach too much too and I need to be acting as an example more than preaching.

**Debbie-cat** · 07-07-2011, 01:31 AM

No regrets here at all.

**missyali** · 07-07-2011, 09:10 AM

I sometime wish I could give my kids additional experiences, but must substitute due to cost. But then I think that I am, in many ways, giving them so much more! It helps that I have surrounded myself with so many who also support my decisions and encourage and enhance our lives. So long story short, no, I don't regret being frugal (but I sometimes struggle with want versus need)

**oheoh's momma** · 07-07-2011, 10:57 AM

I do not regret being frugal but I regret some of the decisions I made way too much student loan debt. I regret working 3 jobs and going to college and did not spend enough time with daughter. I believe that is what led to my illnesses. My seizures and constant pain and fatigue. I lived on 2-3 hrs sleep a night for years. I do think I could have got my daughter less and worked less. However I raised my daughter working 3 jobs about 60-70 hrs a week at min. wage. I guess I did the best I could.

**Libby** · 07-07-2011, 11:23 AM

Regret is such a harsh word for me.

Do I wish I had made better choices back in the day - heck yes. / Do I regret having lived the way I have up to the present day, no.

I have very few regrets. I may wish things had been different but I definitely do not regret my choices. Its made me who I am today: a stronger, more creative & resourceful person.

As nuisance said - its not about having the latest and greatest flashy thing or having gone somewhere extravagant. The memories are always about the lil things and those are usually free.

**shoiji** · 07-07-2011, 11:58 AM

When you are first starting out being frugal is the best way to be. No need in getting into credit cards and buying more than you can afford.

Now that I have a home set up I find being frugal much easier. When you first start out you find there are many more things needed. I remember buying my first dust mop. Had very little money so bought the cheapest one I could find. Used it once and it broke. Immediately took it back.

Being frugal for me has actually given me more freedom. I am no longer wondering if my bills will get paid and food is on the table. It can take a lot of discipline to stay on a budget no matter how much you might want a new ______. And it definately prepares you for the unexpected expense that comes along because you know you will get through it and if you have a good stockpile it is just like having money in the bank.

Having a frugal lifestyle will help your children see and practice what you have learned. Also, being frugal also means being creative. Many people will exchange babysitting with a friend to have a night out.

Being frugal is defiantely a lifestyle choice. But when I look back at the times I was not frugal I regret it even more.

Don't be so hard on yourself with some of the decisions you make. This site is full of great information but everyone has their own ideas on what they can save on and what is best for their family. So you may need to change your idea as your family needs change. I am still trying to get used to using vinegar to clean with and not clorox. I grew up with clorox.

**frugalfranny** · 07-07-2011, 12:45 PM

No 'major' regrets..........have a couple that I regret when I was just too frugal (read---just too tight to spend the $).......and missed a couple 'once in a lifetime' opportunities.......do regret that.
(one was a 'very reasonable' white water rating trip down the Grand Canyon)

but even then...........learned a lesson that I will TRY to not let happen again.