The next few excuses people arrive at to not be frugal are most common, and actually quite ridiculous if your goal is to expend less and save to a greater extent.
Being Frugal Takes Too Much Time
A lot of folks have the belief that economizing money takes additional time. Compare, for instance, stopping at the local shop to grab some milk at a higher cost, with buying plenty at the supermarket at a lower price. The latter could take more time, but what you actually require is a little planning. If you take some time to plan for the next week's supermarket trip, you can save both time and money in the long run.
The older proverb, "Time is money," is true with economical living. Basically, spending a little bit more time to find a great deal or research sales will save you a lot of money. In the long-run, however, you might find yourself saving time as well. Find a quality used car and spend less time in the fix-it shop. Save more money, and you won't have to work so many overtime hours.
My Spouse or Child Would NEVER Accept It
The secret to making a frugal lifestyle work for everyone involved is to discuss the benefits. Kids may not mind trading their brand name sneakers for less expensive models if it means a trip to Walt Disney World in the summer. Husbands may opt for generic chips while watching the football game on TV if the mortgage will be paid off five years earlier.
Being frugal can be a great way to teach children about money, credit, and staying out of debt. Many kids who are indiscriminately given money turn into brats. Can't they earn some money of their own? Do they really need all the stuff that clutters up the average kid's bedroom?
Cheap Products Are, Well, Cheap
Quality does not always cost more. That is a myth perpetrated by the advertising industry. You do not have to sacrifice quality to life a frugal lifestyle. If you are brand loyal on a few things, do some comparison testing to see if your more expensive product is really better.
Labels do not create quality. When you buy jeans, you want sturdy, hard-wearing, attractive pants, not a big fancy label no one will ever see. The concept of name-brand food is even worse. Your body will not know if the peaches it ingested are from a store brand or a large corporation.
