4 ways to know that you are very frugal

There is such a thing as being extremely cheap.

---

the main points

• It’s great to save money where possible, but be careful not to put your health and safety at risk by doing so.
• Leftovers and mattresses both have expiration dates.
• Living without necessary insurance coverage will end up costing you more in the end.

---

for some people, Not Spending money on certain things is a sign of pride. Many of us have something we cling to as a tried and true way to keep more money in our neighborhood saving account. For example, I always prefer to fix something I already own than just buy something new. So I’ll mend a jacket or take a pair of shoes to be solved. Saving money this way makes sense, and it doesn’t put my finances, my health, or my freedom at risk.

On the other hand, these other frugal moves? If you can say “yes” to any of those, then you are more frugal than what is good for your health or your wallet.

1. You eat leftovers that are out of date

Possibly unpopular opinion: I love leftovers. I enjoy cooking, and if I make a really nice meal and eat it again the next day, or a few months later (because I freeze extra portions), that’s great. Same goes for eating really great food. In fact, a great way to Save money on prepared foods It is ordering enough for multiple meals. However, there is a fine line to walk here – leftovers definitely have an expiration date.

the Mayo Clinic Note that you generally have three to four days to consume refrigerated leftovers before bacteria growth makes them unsafe to eat. You’ll get longer leftovers if you freeze them, but you still only have a few months before they go down in quality. If you routinely take advantage of your local pizza place’s “2-for-1” deal and live off leftover pizza for a week or two at a time, you should rethink that. Food poisoning is no joke, and if you get sick, you may need expensive medical attention.

2. You’ve had the same mattress forever

Your health really is the most important thing in the world; After all, if you are sick or injured, everything in life becomes much more difficult. Sleeping is a very important activity — if you sleep an average of eight hours a night, you’ll spend a third of your life asleep. To that end, when was the last time you replaced your mattress? Reporting by Bob Vila Although the mattress industry recommends that you replace your mattress every seven to ten years, determining the life of a mattress is more complicated than that.

The main way you are notified that you need a new mattress is that you are no longer getting comfortable sleep on it. You may also have allergy issues (it doesn’t have to be serious, but your mattress absorbs bodily fluids like sweat, along with dead skin cells, and these attract dust mites). Visually, if your mattress is sagging, lumpy, or worn out, it may be time to replace it. And if the springs inside make a noise when you lie down or sit on your bed, it’s time. do not keep the mattress past its height; Living in pain or without quality sleep is not worth the money saved.

3. Skipping regular car maintenance

Skipping on usual car maintenance activities like oil changes and tire rotations may not directly affect your health the way the previous two signs might, but it will definitely cost you more money than you will save. Owning a car can be very expensive, and if you’re already paying $702 per month For the privilege, you may be tempted to ignore the manufacturer’s instructions for maintenance. However, this can be an expensive and dangerous game.

Your car’s oil is extremely important to its performance, as it lubricates engine components and collects particulate matter that could harm your car. Keep up with regular oil changes and maintenance so you don’t find yourself bogged down in your car emergency savings To pay a large car repair bill later.

4. You don’t have all the insurance you need

Not having insurance can result in you having to spend more money later, but in some circumstances, it can also cost you your freedom. Not having health insurance is a risk to your health and your wallet. If you get sick or have an accident, you will face astronomical medical bills.

If you have a mortgage, you will likely be required to do so Homeowners insurance To protect the mortgage company’s investment, it’s a good idea to have a renters insurance policy if you don’t own your home. Your belongings will not be covered by your homeowner’s policy in the event of a disaster such as a fire or flood.

Another potentially expensive part of owning a car is Car insurance. Note that auto insurance is required in every state except New Hampshire, so driving without it is illegal. If you are caught driving without insurance, the penalty for your first offense may be a fine or license suspension. But if it is a repeat offence, you may be jailed.

Driving without insurance is a bad idea because you will be left without the protection of your vehicle and your physical well-being in the event of an accident. You will also take full financial responsibility for injuries to others and repairs to their vehicles if you are involved in an accident. The financial savings are not worth the risk of driving without insurance.

The above illustrations of over-thrift economics are just a few of many extreme examples. If you’re skimping on costs and the returns you make aren’t worth the money you save, I urge you to rethink those moves. Saving money is great, but not at the expense of your health and happiness.