Are You Too Frugal for Your Own Good?

Being frugal gets a bad rap. There’s a time and a place for being frugal. When times are tight, being frugal can make the difference in how far your resources stretch. When times aren’t tight, being frugal can prolong the abundance of the season. Being frugal in and of itself isn’t a bad thing but sometimes being frugal can hold people back.

Frugality can cause problems if a frugal mindset is holding you back from experiencing a bigger and better life. Sometimes weathering a storm where resources were strained makes it harder to relax and allow abundant living. That’s OK; it’s normal to want to preserve resources and ensure there’s enough for later. Knowing when to be frugal and when to enjoy abundance is important.

Here are some key indicators being frugal is wise

Uncertain financial stability- When finances aren’t secure or stable, it’s important to be frugal. Waiting until income is secure and dependable is a wise course of action.

When you have a goal- There are certain times when a goal lends itself to being frugal. Saving for a big-ticket item, travel, or other special purchase might require being frugal in other areas of life. That’s a wonderful way to maximize your resources while reaching for a goal.

During a transition- Transitions are hard. A new career, new marriage, birth of a child, and other milestones include a lot of change and uncertainty. These are good times to practice a frugal mindset while the dust settles, and you learn what the new normal looks like.

Here are some key indicators being frugal is misguided

When your budget is well managed. If your budget is healthy and you are making wise financial decisions, being frugal might be holding you back. If you have reached your goals and meet your debt and expenses each month there is room to relax your frugal mindset.

You have no good reason to say no. Saying no and denying yourself can be a habit. Depending on your mental health, a lack mindset can override the desire to be, do, and have things that would greatly enhance your life. If you find you say no to things in the name of fiscal responsibility, you may be operating from too frugal of a mindset.

When you’ve forgotten how to treat yourself. If you look around and it’s been years since you’ve improved your clothes, décor, or modernized items you use on a frequent basis, you may be stuck in a frugal mindset. Denying yourself things you’d like to have or experience because it seems like a waste of money is an indicator you are more than mindful about spending; you’re being critical about it.

There is a time and a place for being frugal. Frugality is a good thing under the right circumstances, but being too frugal when the situation doesn’t warrant it can deprive you of wonderful experiences and possessions that can enrich your life and make it better. Learn the difference between healthy frugality and misguided control of resources.

It’s OK to Want More!

While there’s nothing wrong with being frugal and making the most of what you have, it’s OK to want more! Sometimes being frugal for too long can rob you of dreaming about more.

  • More opportunities
  • More experiences
  • More pleasures
  • More fill-in-the-blank!

Our lives are meant to evolve. We are meant to expand, morph, and change over time. As we grow and experience life, we change our preferences, which naturally causes us to desire more. That’s normal. Living with a frugal mindset can override our natural tendencies to want more and convince us that our desires are

  • Foolish
  • Selfish
  • Greedy
  • Unnecessary

When negative feelings attach to healthy desires, they feel bad and stop the creative cycle of expansion. It’s important to change the unhealthy mindset that wanting more is wrong and get a new perspective where wanting more is exhilarating!

It’s OK to want more

Wanting more is a sign you are growing, expanding and desire change. Wanting to experience new things whether it be travel, personal items, education, or anything else isn’t selfish, it’s normal. Shutting down these thoughts leads to guilty condemnation when it should be motivating and exciting.

It’s OK to change patterns

Wanting more from life might be as simple as buying brand name items rather than generic, but it could also mean wanting to go on vacation twice a year when your family never vacationed in the past. The desire for more than what you experienced growing up is good. It’s OK to change patterns and become the person you want to be. Even if your early childhood programming taught you that being frugal was being responsible or that wanting more was foolish and prideful, you can break the programming and learn to love wanting more for yourself and your family.

It’s OK to make changes

You may not feel comfortable making big changes when it comes to spending. That’s OK. Try something small. Indulge a little. Take your time. Overcoming a frugal mindset won’t happen overnight. It comes from taking small steps and testing things out. You’ll discover what areas you feel more comfortable spending and other areas where being frugal suits you just fine.

Being frugal isn’t a bad thing but it’s perfectly OK to want more. Don’t let a lack mindset keep you from naturally expanding your preferences and trying new and exciting things.

Lack is a Perception Not A Reality

Where do you stand on the glass half-full or half-empty debate? This age-old question is designed to determine if you’re a pessimist or an optimist. In either scenario, the glass has liquid in half of it and either answer is correct. Whether or not the liquid is on its way to the top or the bottom of the glass is a perception, not necessarily a reality.

Frugality is the same way. Making the decision that there are not enough resources or that using them in certain ways is irresponsible is a perception, not a reality. There are as many arguments for what constitutes wise uses of resources as there are resources to be used. Any and all perceptions are biased.

There are some myths that perpetuate a lack mindset. These myths could make it seem like there’s not enough and being frugal is not only responsible, but preferable. But these myths can be busted wide open by a simple shift in perspective. Take a look—

Myth #1. There’s not enough. Sure, if you’re eating pizza and it’s down to the last slice, there may not be enough pizza in the moment. This doesn’t mean you’ll never have more. It’s the same with most resources. Believing there isn’t enough creates panic and a sense of preservation that limits the flow of abundance. There’s not only enough; there’s more than enough.

Myth #2. You must work hard to earn. Trading time for dollars can make it feel like you’ve got to work hard to earn. If your trade isn’t equitable and you aren’t earning enough for an hour of your time, it can feel like really hard work. Instead of limiting yourself to a certain amount per hour, seek to increase the dollar amount you earn or find ways to earn passively that don’t require you to trade time for money. It’s entirely possible to earn with ease and never break into a sweat.

Myth #3. Wanting more is greedy. It’s important to be happy with what you have and to take care of the possessions and people under your care. Wanting more isn’t greedy, it’s normal. The mindset that desire is equal to greed stops people from experiencing new and better things. Telling yourself and others that desiring more is a negative trait is a perception that can and should be broken. It’s a myth that wanting more is greedy, it’s actually a sign of growth!

Seeing lack where there could equally be abundance is a mindset issue. Shifting your mindset from frugal to plentiful helps you feel less stressed about resources and encouraged about change and wanting new and exciting things. Identify the myths that are keeping you in a lack mindset and bust them wide open so you can replace them with a mindset focused on more.  

Quality – Some Things are Worth the Cost

Frugality is a great argument when it comes to saving resources. Saving a dollar here and there can add up and make your resources stretch, but sometimes being frugal can cost you in the long-term. Likewise, some things that appear to be money-saving might actually be as cheap as the price you pay. The whole you get what you pay for warning rings true.

There’s no doubt that many things are overrated and overpriced, but there are many cases when quality really matters. Some things are simply worth their cost. High-quality isn’t just luxury, status, or showing off. High-quality also represents durability, longevity, and dependability. In many cases quality can save you time and money as well as enhance your quality of life. Here’s how:

  • Quality can save you money over time
  • Quality can enhance a once-in-a-lifetime experience
  • Quality can be an investment in the future

Spending more up front can save money over time. Some things are worth an investment. Sure, you can get a similar item for less, but there’s a chance it won’t last as long, and you’ll spend more in the long run. Determining what items make the most sense to invest in can help you save money down the line.

Some adventures deserve a splurge. Once-in-a-lifetime experiences are worth spending time and money to thoroughly enjoy. Determining what vacations, experiences, and activities matter most to you and your family can help you decide when to bargain hunt and when to go the extra mile. Doing some things at a bargain won’t make much of a difference but some things should be experienced to their fullest. Be willing to break free from a frugal mindset to make memories that last a lifetime.

Investing in the future is never a bad decision. Determining not to eat take out can save money and your waistline. Determining not to save for your future can leave you broke. It’s never a bad thing to invest in the future. This could include getting an education, investing in retirement, or purchasing an asset. Spending resources now that yield benefits later is a smart use of your time and money and should be part of your budget and mindset.

Being frugal can make a big difference in your lifestyle day-to-day, but there’s a lot of benefits to making an investment in some things. In some cases, being too frugal can cost you money down the line or make an important experience underwhelming. Know when to let go of the frugal mindset to make way for sound investments that will be well worth the cost.

Tips for Letting Go of a Frugal Mindset

It’s one thing to determine that you want to let go of a frugal mindset and another to walk it out. Some habits are hard to break! Letting go of a frugal mindset might feel like giving up your security blanket. It won’t feel easy or normal that’s for sure. If frugality has become a part of who you are and how you operate it will feel very out of the ordinary the first time you make a purchase or indulge yourself. Be patient and give things time.

Letting go of a frugal mindset won’t happen overnight. You may even question every purchase and every change, wondering if you’re being responsible. Hold on, with practice and some soul searching you’ll figure things out. In the meantime, here’s some tips that will help you let go of being frugal and explore the plentiful world that awaits you.

Tip: Value yourself and those you love.  Being frugal often comes from a place of lack. It may even intersect with your ideas of self-worth. If you struggle with worth and value, it may reflect in how generous you feel towards yourself and others. Working to value yourself and those you love can help you release a frugal mindset. Learning to love and allow yourself to be, do, and have the things that delight your heart in responsible ways is an act of self-love.

Tip: Assess and determine your priorities. Living with a plentiful and abundant mindset doesn’t mean there’s a free-for-all with resources. There are limits even when you know there’s plenty. One of the ways to let go of a frugal mindset is to assess and determine what your priorities are. If you value vacations, making sure you funnel resources for trips make sense. If you love refreshing your home décor, then it’s important to have guilt-free spending in this area. Whatever you decide matters most to you should be a place where you embrace and celebrate putting your resources.

Tip: Find support and a tribe. If you tend to surround yourself with frugal-minded people who judge spending and using resources, it can be extra hard to break the frugal mindset. Be sure to find support and friends who can share your goals and enthusiasm for letting go and shifting your thoughts about spending. The more normalized an abundant mindset is, the easier it is to adopt and keep it.

You can let go of a frugal mindset and learn to enjoy and find peace while using your resources. Learning to experience the abundance and fun that comes with using your resources can improve your lifestyle and personal happiness. You deserve to be, do, and have the things that make you happy.

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The Significance of Diabetes in Seniors

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By Dr. Loy Puckett

Diabetes is a significant medical problem that presents major implications for an individual’s health, and it’s also one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Though individuals of all ages can develop or be born with diabetes, older adults and seniors are among some of the most at-risk populations.

In what follows, we’ll clarify the different types of diabetes. Further, we’ll explore the many risk factors that older adults and seniors experience with diabetes. Finally, we’ll discuss effective treatment and management protocols for seniors with diabetes.

Types of Diabetes

Diabetes is an endocrine condition that affects the way the body processes glucose, an energy substance. Two of the most common types of diabetes are type 1 and type 2.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is defined as an autoimmune disorder in which the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas are destroyed by cells of the immune system. This lack of insulin production causes a deficiency in an important hormonal regulator of glucose levels in the body. Type 1 diabetes is the rarer of the two types of diabetes.

Though older adults can possibly develop type 1 diabetes, it is extremely rare. This type of diabetes is most often seen in children and younger adults.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic condition resulting from resistance to insulin or an inability to create enough insulin to meet the needs for glucose metabolism. Older adults and seniors are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes increases with age, and it is estimated that 25% of people over the age of 65 have the condition. Several issues contribute to the higher risk of type 2 diabetes in older adults, including a sedentary lifestyle, a diet high in processed and refined foods, and a family history of the condition.

Some of the signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes include extreme fatigue and lethargy, frequent urination, and blurry vision.

Treatment and Management of Diabetes In Seniors

The management of type 2 diabetes in older adults may differ from that in younger adults due to the presence of comorbidities and the potential for adverse effects of medications. Comorbidities are other medical conditions that an individual may have, in addition to diabetes.

These comorbidities may include hypertension, heart disease, and kidney disease. In older adults, these comorbidities may affect the ability to properly metabolize medications, which can increase the risk of adverse effects of certain diabetic medications.

To address these issues, the American Geriatrics Society recommends a personalized approach to treatment in older adults with type 2 diabetes. This approach takes into consideration the individual’s functional status, comorbidities, and preferences.

The goal of treatment is to achieve and maintain optimal blood sugar control while minimizing the risk of adverse effects and complications.

Monitor for Hypoglycemia

Older adults with type 2 diabetes should also be especially mindful and careful to prevent hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia occurs when blood sugar levels drop too low and can be a serious complication in the management of diabetes. Older adults may be at an increased risk of hypoglycemia due to the presence of additional medical conditions or based on their use of particular medications. Symptoms of hypoglycemia in older adults may be subtle and may include confusion, dizziness, and fatigue.

To prevent hypoglycemia, older adults with diabetes should regularly monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their treatment appropriately based on the guidance of a medical professional. It is also important for older adults to have a plan in place for managing hypoglycemic episodes, including having quick-acting glucose available at all times.

The following are two of the most common treatment and management protocols for diabetes in older adults and seniors:

Lifestyle Intervention

Lifestyle modification, including diet and exercise, is the first consideration for treatment of type 2 diabetes in older adults. A healthy diet that is rich in whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and low in processed and refined foods can be extremely helpful in achieving good blood sugar control and reducing complications.

The American Diabetes Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week for older adults with diabetes.

In a recent study, a lifestyle intervention plan that included diet and exercise was shown to improve health objectives dramatically in seniors.

Medication

Medications may also be used to treat type 2 diabetes in older adults. The choice of medication will depend on the individual’s specific needs and may include metformin, sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, or insulin.

It is important to carefully monitor blood sugar levels when starting a new medication and follow the advice of a medical professional to adjust the treatment as needed to ensure optimal control.

Final Thoughts

The prevalence of diabetes in older adults and seniors is high, and it is important for individuals in this age group to receive appropriate care and treatment to manage the condition and prevent complications.

Lifestyle modification, including diet and exercise, should be the first consideration in treatment for type 2 diabetes in older adults.

Dr. Loy Puckett, MD

Dr. Loy Puckett MD Dr. Loy Puckett, MD, (Doctor Loy) is an Emergency Medicine Specialist.

Doctor Loy’s career spans almost 25 years of emergency medicine practice, including 10 years as the Medical Director for Moberly Regional Medical Center Emergency Department.  During this time, he also applied his medical expertise to his own successful business of managing emergency physicians. Read full bio.

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Your Kids Wish You’d Get Rid of Some Stuff

Image of a cluttered bookcase.

Your kids probably don’t want this stuff.

I have a lot of stuff.

I love my stuff.

We spend our life gathering and collecting things that make our lives more enjoyable.

My wife and I are both bookaholics.

We’ve stacked every bookshelf in our house two deep with our reading treasures. If I hadn’t fallen in love with my Kindle, we’d probably have stacks of books on the floors to walk around.

And who can throw away those left over bit and pieces from projects long past? You know, little cutoff pieces of wood, that you just know you can use somewhere on a later project. What about all the assorted nails, screws and other hardware thrown in old jars and boxes? That stuff is too good to toss.

There are those old 35mm cameras that started gathering dust about 4 digital cameras ago. They might be collector’s items some day.

It’s hard to imagine not using them or having access to them when you need them. But honestly, when was the last time you needed them? How many of these things have gone unused and unnoticed for a while?

As we get older, we move past the accumulation stage of life and settle into living with what we have. Eventually, what we have may become more than we will ever need again. It might be time to declutter and downsize. The more you hold on to, the more your loved ones will have to deal with. That’s not a very smart move.

Aside from heirlooms and assets of value, our homes are generally filled with things that no longer serve us or we simply don’t need. At some point, it makes sense to clear things out and streamline.

Here are some practical dos and don’ts for decluttering your life to make things easier for your family.

Do- Keep things of value: Your antiques, art, and family heirlooms have value. Don’t discard or give away items that are worth something financially or emotionally.

Do- Sort through closets, drawers, and storage: These spaces tend to become black holes that contain unused and unimportant items. Tackle these spaces and reduce, recycle, and donate items you are no longer using.

Do- Enlist your family’s help: Ask your family to help you determine what is worth keeping and what is worth letting go of. You don’t have to accept every recommendation they have, but their impartial advice might help you decide easier.

Don’t- Wait until you die before you pass things down: If you have items you intend to pass along at your death, do it now! You get the enjoyment of spreading your happiness while you can still see it happen. You also get some things out of your house. You can always go visit your things in their new home.

Don’t- Overthink things: People hold onto things for a lot of weird reasons. Don’t overthink the usefulness of something you haven’t looked for in years. If you aren’t actively using an item, consider getting rid of it.

Don’t- Forget others need donations: Many of the things you aren’t using could benefit someone else. From a homeless shelter to helping a woman back on her feet, your unused items could help give someone else a brand new start. Be willing to donate gently used items to make a difference.

Don’t- Be afraid: Decluttering isn’t about losing your things. It’s about taking responsible action to streamline your life and be aware of how much you own and if it serves you. Don’t be afraid of letting go and clearing up space for easier living and a clutter-free home.

Part of prepping for the later part of life is clearing out the clutter. Making things easier for the people who will have to manage your space for you after you’re gone is kind and responsible. Do your part to declutter and get rid of the items that no longer have value or serve your needs.

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