Being Cheap is Bad For Your Health!

Notice I said “cheap” and not “frugal.” There is a big difference between the two. Frugality is:

“a traditional value, life style, or belief system, in which individuals practice both restraint in the acquiring of and resourceful use of economic goods and services in order to achieve lasting and more fulfilling goals.”

Learn more about living the frugal lifestyle in this “10 Things” post #8.

Here’s some ways that truly being CHEAP has been bad for my health:

Poor Quality Running Shoes- I used to buy all my tennis shoes from discount stores (e.g. Ross). A few years ago I got really into running. The shin splints and sore knees were terrible. I’ve since discovered REAL running shoes and have completed two marathons. Don’t ever try to train for a marathon with shoes purchased at a discount store. Go to a specialty running store and get professionally fitted in a pair of top rated running shoes.

Faulty Tools and Equipment- I recently installed my own hardwood floors in our new home. For this project, I was on my knees for ten hours a day for four days straight. I bought the cheapest knee pads that Lowes had to offer. My knees were not properly supported and were thoroughly shredded by the end of the project. I limped for a week after. Who knows what kind of lasting damage this did. So dumb.

Office Freebies- At my corporate office, we get free coke (i.e. pop, soda) anytime and free donuts on Friday mornings. Needless to say, I drink a lot of free cokes and eat breakfast at the office on Fridays. Yes it’s a nice perk, but it’s doing damage on my waistline.

Inappropriate Furniture- I use a drum throne (with no back) for my home office chair. Because I don’t have free office space elsewhere, I sit at this office desk probably two hours a day. I should be using an ergonomically correct chair but I’m too cheap to go out and get one. My back really takes a beating from this.

Wow. After seeing this list, I can’t believe how stupid I’ve been. I should really get my act together and focus in on correcting these last two areas.

What are some ways that being cheap has been bad for your health?

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ptmoney

@ Amanda - Thanks for the comment.

@ MEOIP - Mrs. PT has one of those, but it's too small for me. I need to invest in a bigger size, I guess. Good idea though.

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MEOIP

Buy one of those inflatable yoga balls instead of a ergonomic chair. Not only are they less expensive but they build strength and promote movement while using them. They only advice I have is to ease into the use don't jump onto the thing for a full 8 hour day of sitting. Add on hour on the ball each day. It will work your trunk muscles all day long.

Amanda @ Me vs Debt

Hey PT, I have to agree with you. I'll take quality over quantity any day!

@Asithi - I'd say there's true value in that socializing. I guess the key is limiting it to one or every other time.

@David - Yep, spend the money for quality, classic itesm.

@Mrs. Micah - Yeah, I should probably just tell the girl who orders the snacks to choose some healthier options.

Mrs. Micah

I had to watch out at the last place for office freebies. I didn't take them to avoid bringing my own snacks as much as because I thought "Food. Me hungry. Attack!"

I was also in charge of ordering our office's food cabinet stuff. I didn't do a great job of keeping it healthy, however.

David

I could not agree more - it's always best to spend the money when you need to, so you only have to buy things once. Tools are a great example of this!

Asithi

It's good to know that I am not the only one eating donuts and cakes in the office because it is FREE. I don't really think of it as being frugal though. For me, it is because everyone in the office is having one and standing by the box chatting. Of course, I want to join the group, but if I want to have a donut in my hand when I do. Definitely not a habit that is good for the waistline.

Being Cheap is Bad For Your Health!

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