Today we left at about 9:00 AM to run errands at 5 different places. I figured we’d be gone a while, but didn’t expect not to arrive home until 2:30!
The grocery store was one of our stops. Since by then I knew we’d be missing lunch at home, we grabbed a few pre-made sandwiches, some cold drinks and…a few individual bags of chips for each of us (it was just me and the three older children).
I wanted to be frugal and get one big bag of chips for 99 cents instead of four small bags of chips for 75 cents each…do the math; I would have saved a couple of dollars. BUT, if we had gotten a big bag of chips we’d have had a half a bag (at least) left over. And then what? I’d probably eat it. (I like chips, LOL). And guess what? I still have quite a few pounds of “baby fat” hanging around. So being not-so-frugal was probably wise.
What about you? Do you have any not-so-frugal expenditures that seem well worth the trade-off?
I buy the individually frozen chicken breasts to make quick grilled chicken salad for lunch. Sure, it's cheaper to by the chicken at the meat market in bulk (and i do that too for other uses) but when it's on sale in the individually flash frozen bags, I stock up because it helps with a fast lunch and sometimes dinner.
I have been sitting here for 5 minutes trying to think of something that fit your discription. Here's what I decided… either everything I buy is frugal – or – everything that I buy that is NOT frugal does NOT come with a good reason for it… I have to ponder this.
Buy the name-brand (more expensive) laundry detergent! I use twice as much of the cheap stuff and the clothes still don't get as clean.
Juicy boxes-I buy these often for convenience instead of refilling the Kleen Kanteen's I have. OR I run thru the McDonald's drive thru and get a couple of sweet teas and split it up.
Lately-individully wrapped cheese sticks. I spend a little more but in the end I don't waste as much. My children love cheese but yet due to issues they have in the "nether region" I have to limit their intake and thus a lot of cut up block cheese ends up molding before it gets eaten.
Bread-I usually bake my own bread but lately I have been buying store bought for convenience. I just bought 2 more loaves but when they are gone then my sour dough wheat starter should be just about done and I can have some homemade Nutritious and Delciious bread again for my family.
I'm sure I have more non-frugal items/ways but can't think of them at the moment. You have given me food for thought to now think of more FRUGAL ways of doing things (for instance I already make my own yogurt, kefir, kombucha, usually bake my own bread, muffins/baked goods, etc.)
Thanks for posting this!
Micki
http://www.ReflectionsOfHeavenBoundMomof3.blogspot.com