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Know when to let go of stuff
By Sara Noel, Frugal Living - 05/26/2008
Those who live by the frugal code know the mantra: Use it up, wear it out, make do or do without.
But we also know that for every code, there are exceptions. Sometimes you need to loosen the tightwad belt and replace an item. There’s no shame in buying new items you need.
Here’s a pop quiz to help you decide:
Have you been using the same hairbrush since the ’80s?
Does your toothbrush look like you’ve been scrubbing the sink with it?
Do your shoes have built-in air conditioning?
How many pairs of pants are you making do with? How many shirts?
Do you have banged-up, rusted pans and half-melted spatulas?
How old is your pillow?
Are your bath towels translucent?
I’ve lived an essentials-only lifestyle for more than eight years. Recently I reflected on whether my minimalist approach was healthy. Surely it’s possible to advocate frugality without becoming an extremist.
How do I know when I’ve taken frugality too far? When an old appliance is in such lousy condition that I worry that it might catch fire. I had been living with a $10 two-slice toaster for years. Sure, it toasted bread. But the work it took to get it to toast was frustrating. Plus, its lever didn’t always stay pressed down. It was time to buy a new toaster, but I held out because the old one was still working.
My husband asked me whether it was OK to throw the toaster away, or whether I planned to save it for my 7-year-old son to use — when he goes to college. (I’m not sure he was joking.) Despite the danger it posed, I played several minutes of mental ping pong, mulling over what to do before finally letting it go. No holding on to it for spare parts, or as a backup. It was time.
Goodbye, old friend.
My sense of loss didn’t last long. Guess who got a new four-slice toaster this weekend? I feel like I just bought a brand-new car. Weekend breakfasts will no doubt be less frustrating.
The moral of this story? Strive for balance. Don’t put off caring for yourself or making simple, low-cost purchases that can cut frustration or save time. It’s not worth it! Allow some flexibility into your frugality, and reward yourself for your efforts.
Tell me what household product you’ve been making do with for too long — or what item you just need to break down and buy. When do you accept that it's time?
Sara Noel is the owner of Frugal Village (www.frugalvillage.com), a Web site that offers practical, money-saving strategies for everyday living.
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