My Frugality is Killing Me
I have been honest with myself and anyone who has asked will agree that I am pretty frugal. I like my money in the bank, in my accounts. And if possible, growing with compound interest. But sometimes my own stupidity causes me immense harm.
I love coaching my kids teams. First, it gives me a chance to be with them and enjoy their growth. Also have a lot of fun. But over the last 6-8 months, I’ve noticed that at practices, as well as when I’m doing presentations and on my feet a lot professionally, my legs really hurt. A lot. Not quite hospital, emergency room level, but not far away. It’s my own fault.
It’s a classic case of being “penny wise, pound foolish.”
This adage speaks to the habit of focusing on saving small amounts of money while ignoring larger, more significant costs. Sure, keeping an old pair of shoes may save you money in the short term, but the long-term impact can be painful—and costly. When shoes lose support, posture suffers, leading to discomfort that could require medical treatment or time off work, which is far more expensive than investing in new footwear.
The same concept applies across many aspects of life, both personal and professional. Whether it’s skipping routine maintenance for a car or using outdated software at work, cutting corners rarely pays off. While it may seem like a smart financial decision at the moment, the inevitable bigger expenses often outweigh the original savings.
I broke down. I finally bought two new pairs of shoes; they were high-end. Orthopedic based. Perfect for a 54-year-old man running around with kids on the playing fields/courts. And then in just several days, my legs feel so much better.
Hesitating to replace worn-out shoes, or making another necessary investment, can and does cause issues for me at times. Maybe thinking about the bigger picture is wise for everyone. A small upfront cost today can prevent larger expenses down the road. The key isn’t just to save money, but to spend it wisely. Sometimes, the best way to be truly frugal is to invest a little more to avoid being “pound foolish.”
My feet and legs thank me---and my wiser wallet.
