Saving trivial amounts on trivial things (items, best, old, money)
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I started buying kroger facial tissues instead of real Kleenexes, to save maybe 50 cents a box. Those things are rough and when I try to dry my ears with one, it disintegrates. A real Kleenex allows me to wrap one around my fingy and insert it into my ear.
I've been out of work and if I live like a dog, I will be broke in 3 years. But if I live like a normal person, I will be broke in 2 years. "Pinching pennies" is a pain and it's not worth the trouble. I often can't decide whether to pay $6 for a crappy lunch or $9 for a decent lunch. I tend to alternate between the two. Life is too short to scrimp all the time. So I scrimp half the time.
Most people wouldn't notice, but there is quite a diff between real paper towels and cheaper ones. It's also true of crackers.
For a couple years I tracked what I spent on household supplies, toiletries, personal products, etc. I came to the conclusion that buying better products cost me less than $60 over two years for all categories combined, but the benefits of those were substantial. Plus, I like the luxury of using nicer shave gel, shampoo, hand soap, etc.
I started buying kroger facial tissues instead of real Kleenexes, to save maybe 50 cents a box. Those things are rough and when I try to dry my ears with one, it disintegrates. A real Kleenex allows me to wrap one around my fingy and insert it into my ear.
I've been out of work and if I live like a dog, I will be broke in 3 years. But if I live like a normal person, I will be broke in 2 years. "Pinching pennies" is a pain and it's not worth the trouble. I often can't decide whether to pay $6 for a crappy lunch or $9 for a decent lunch. I tend to alternate between the two. Life is too short to scrimp all the time. So I scrimp half the time.
Most people wouldn't notice, but there is quite a diff between real paper towels and cheaper ones. It's also true of crackers.
I know what you mean. Sounds like you're on a decent track if you can afford to go 2 more years unemployed while not scrimping beyond reason.
I still prefer cheap paper towels because 9 times out of 10 the job doesn't really require anything too strong or absorbent. I don't mind using a few extra sheets of the cheapies when the job calls for it.
For years I used to only order water at restaurants. But it seems kind of silly to sacrifice my enjoyment of the meal to save around $2. Especially since eating out is already a "luxury" activity anyway. If ordering a coffee or sprite puts me over my spending limit, then I shouldn't be in the restaurant in the first place.
if you are a smart shopper, a lot of times you can buy the fancier stuff for less than the cheap stuff. you can also learn which cheaper items are just as good as the more expensive items. you don't have to buy crappy stuff to save money. my fridge/freezer/closet are full of food and products that are the same stuff that many other people have. the main difference is that I spent a lot less than they did for the same stuff.
I started buying kroger facial tissues instead of real Kleenexes, to save maybe 50 cents a box. Those things are rough and when I try to dry my ears with one, it disintegrates. A real Kleenex allows me to wrap one around my fingy and insert it into my ear.
I've been out of work and if I live like a dog, I will be broke in 3 years. But if I live like a normal person, I will be broke in 2 years. "Pinching pennies" is a pain and it's not worth the trouble. I often can't decide whether to pay $6 for a crappy lunch or $9 for a decent lunch. I tend to alternate between the two. Life is too short to scrimp all the time. So I scrimp half the time.
Most people wouldn't notice, but there is quite a diff between real paper towels and cheaper ones. It's also true of crackers.
Go to Walmart and buy yourself a set of 10 cloth diapers for about $12. Use them instead of paper towels. Much more cost-effective. While you're at it buy some cloth handkerchiefs. Alternatively, use toilet paper to blow your nose.
I kinda get what the OP is talking about since I went through a phase when I was completely overwhelmed the first few years of trying to live frugally. Basically, I was spending too much of my free time trying to get the best possible deals on everything I needed to buy. After a while, especially after I had made a few unwise purchases on big-ticket items due to not being able to think clearly, I realized it just wasn't worth the effort and I relaxed my "rules" on purchases under $100, especially those under $10.
Keep in mind your brain can only make a finite # of decisions every day.. Decision fatigue is the term for the mental exhaustion that ensues when you've made an excessive number of decisions in a short period and your ability to make judgements has been temporarily impaired. If you can only make a small, finite # of decisions each day with a straight mind, it's best to save those for the larger purchases.
I'm wondering why you are going out to lunch when you are unemployed. Even $6.00 is way more than you need to be spending on lunch. Do your cooking at home and you will be surprised at how much you will save.
I use about a roll of papertowels every 2 or 3 weeks and we are a family of 4. I have a stack of wash cloths at the kitchen sink where we wash our hands and use the wash cloths to dry. I use them for kitchen clean up as well. It doesn't cost a cent to throw them in the laundry with other loads and i save a few trees as well as dollars.
If ordering a coffee or sprite puts me over my spending limit, then I shouldn't be in the restaurant in the first place.
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This could apply to almost every decision.
Sometimes real frugality isn't about trying to do 'X' in the absolutely cheapest way, it's coming to a rational decision that you shouldn't be doing 'X' if you have to do it that way.
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