Being frugal is a wide term, and it can mean anything. There are many types of frugal people out there, and we are here today asking you, which type of frugal are you?
Perhaps this is a question that you’ve never asked yourself, but it is never too late to find out new things about who you are. Yes, you are frugal, and yes, you are very careful about how you spend your money. But what is your favorite strategy for achieving your financial goals?
Knowing these simple yet overlooked things about yourself might help you in the future because you will know what the best tactic is for you, and in this way, you can simplify the whole concept of saving money.
Being aware of these traits is quite useful, and above all else, finding out what type of frugal you are is incredibly fun! So, are you ready to discover something new about yourself?
1. The DIY frugal
Do you feel like you have the gift of DIY? Are you that person who manages to fix anything by themselves and finds the idea of building or restoring a piece of furniture relaxing?
If your answer is yes, then you are probably the DIY frugal. This type of frugal is someone everyone wants to have in their homes, or at least as their neighbor. You are that neighbor everybody calls when something breaks and they don’t know what to do.
Whenever you have something to do around the house, you have only one thing on your mind: “Why would I be paying $1000 to fix my AC if there is a step-by-step video tutorial for this on the internet?” You think that you can figure out everything, and most of the time you really do.
This is incredible, and it probably saves you a lot of money, but if you have to do a high-dollar job, you better hire a professional to do it. We say this because if you are not capable of doing it and you break something, it might cost you more money when you call someone to help you after you mess it up.
2. The overbudgeter type of frugal
Budgeting is a big part of the frugal life, but the over-budgeter frugal type is something else altogether. Take a look at your budget plan. Does it have more than five pages? Is it incredibly detailed? Are all of your friends impressed by your budgeting skills?
If you do all of these things, you are for sure an overbudgeter. There are lines for everything, including school supplies and lawn mower repairs and maintenance. It is truly incredible!
Some might say that you suffer from OCD, but you are just incredibly organized! And this is a valuable trait in the frugal world. You know where the money goes and from where it comes every month. Nothing can surprise you.
Be careful, because somehow this can get overwhelming. Maybe this is not the case, but you should keep this in mind. If you feel that you can’t do it anymore, take it easy, relax, and try to take care only of the main expenses. Are you this type of frugal?
3. The negotiator
Today, people are not really fond of negotiating. Most of them spend their money on stuff that really doesn’t deserve that much money. But you are not like them. You have a bargain running through your veins, and you are there to strike any deal.
You are the type of frugal type who will challenge any price tag. And from time to time, you really do get a better price. For example, if you go to the grocery store, you will analyze your surroundings. And there it is some beer cans that are dented. What are you going to do next?
You will find the store clerk, and you will tell them that the cans are dented and you want to receive a discount. You want to get that lower price. And if the store clerk says that you will get no discount, this will make you feel angry.
Keep in mind that every time you begin bargaining, go for the fair price and not the lowest. Also, please don’t make a scene in the store, even if they don’t want to give you that sweet discount.
4. The couponer
If you are this type of frugal, you know how extreme you can be, right? There are TV channels that are producing documentaries about your lifestyle. This is clearly a sign that you are truly special. For real, you can be a TV star.
Clipping coupons is a big part of your life, and it also costs you a lot of money. So, after all, it is with it. You are a real coupon hunter, and you will do almost anything to get them. You have no problem spending hours on end at once going through all of those ads in order to set up your next shopping trip.
And don’t get us wrong, coupons and couponers are incredible, but remember that time has real value. Don’t waste all of your free time trying to get all of the coupons. Always try to find a balance, and ask yourself if it is really worth it to spend this much time keeping that savings account going.
5. The one who recycles (a lot!)
This is the type of frugal who has a lot of things in their home. And when we say a lot, we really mean it. You see, there is a fine line between recycling and being a hoarder, and sometimes you can fall into the second category if you have a more extreme personality.
Do you have a mountain of plastic bags you keep reusing for keeping and storing all sorts of things? Do you have all of those cheap plastic containers of meat or ice cream all around your house?
If you have them, you are for sure the recycler. Yes, doing this is good for the environment, but you don’t need to keep absolutely everything in order to reuse it later. Those clothes that you haven’t worn since the 90s, you can sell or give to Goodwill.
Using stuff more than once is a good thing, and everybody should do it, but do your best not to become a hoarder. This is not helping you at all. It might seem like it does, but we can assure you that it doesn’t.
It is said that it is much easier to save money than it is to earn it. This is why it’s a good idea to think about every purchase that you make. But there is one thing to always keep in mind: never let frugality become extreme and take over your life.
So, what type of frugal are you? Can you find yourself in this article? Do you think that your frugal lifestyle is helping you? Tell us what you think about all of this in the comments!
If you are interested in learning more about couponing, this book might help you: The Ultimate Guide to Coupons: How to Save More Money in Less Time and Get the Best Deals (Living on the Cheap Guides)
You should also read: 6 Reasons to Start Living Below Your Means Today
