Insights from a Self-Proclaimed Frugal Gal

GUEST BLOGGER: EMMA PARKHURST, CHES, USU EXTENSION ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

I consider myself to be a frugal consumer, although this hasn’t always been the case. When I was younger, I thought I was frugal...but the honest truth? I was obsessed with making cheap purchases. I would try to make the least expensive purchase no matter what the item was, which typically meant purchasing lower quality items. As a result, I would have to replace these cheaper products more often, which meant spending more money in the long-run. Yikes! I finally had enough of the cycle when I realized I would spend less over time by purchasing a more expensive and higher quality item that would last longer. Who else can relate? If this experience sounds familiar to you, here are some tips to get out of this cheap-purchase cycle that helped me make smarter purchases:

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• Save up for higher quality: while this may seem like a no-brainer, sometimes it’s hard to pass up the inexpensive clothes, furniture, appliances, or whatever the product may be. If you don’t immediately need the item, wait until you have saved up to make a higher-quality purchase that fits in your budget.

 

• Prioritize your pleasures: to keep this tip short and sweet, here’s a quote from Vanessa Lumby, co-founder of cashcowcouple.com - “Being frugal is not about sitting at home trying to avoid spending money. It's about deciding what’s important to you in life and choosing to spend less on the things that don’t matter.”

 

• Change your perspective: this tip comes straight from our #1 Utah Money Mom, Amanda Christensen, AFC. It’s time to curb the mindset that buying things will make us happy. When we consistently make purchases to get that temporary feeling of gratification, we can find ourselves in a pile of debt or a blown budget. I can’t tell you how many times I told myself, “oh it’s okay, it was cheap” when the shirt that was $5 shrunk after the first wash, or mysteriously had now-crooked seams. After some light introspection, I realized I was making inexpensive purchases to get that sense of gratification rather than out of necessity. Sometimes all it takes is asking yourself, “do I need this” to figure out if you’re making a purchase to provide happiness. Kick that mindset to the curb and find a new hobby to bring you joy! Those inexpensive and low-quality purchases can add up over time.

 
Do you have some personal tips that have helped you make smarter purchases? Let us know in the comments below!

​Emma is a certified health education specialist and is passionate about helping others improve the quality of their lives using a holistic approach to health and wellness. She finds joy in listening to true crime podcasts, petting all the dogs, getting active outside, and finding thrift store bargains.