You may find you go through shifts in how and why you practice frugality at times. This year, I had some unexpected large expenses (which I was able to cover since I saved enough money) but they left me a little short as far as my comfort level for money in the bank. So, I've taken a step back and analyzed my tightwad tendencies, shifting them into slightly higher gear.

Follow up:

I don't practice frugality because I have to, but because I choose to. I like to have enough to cover the unexpected, and still be able to have the things I want.

Having a typically uncommunicative teenage male offspring (any parent of a teenager or greater knows what I mean), I've been making an effort to take him out to dinner ever other weekend so we can have a comfortable place to talk and spend some quality time together. While this has been working well (or as well as any real communicative effort with offspring of this age possibly can), I've decided it's one of the luxuries I can cut back. Feeding a bottomless growing pit of a teenager is expensive enough, but at $40-$45 dollars for a sit down meal - well, it's an extravagance we can live without.

After careful consideration, I decided to shell out the dinero for a new George Forman G5 Grill. Sometimes, spending a little money can turn out to be a frugal choice. The grill allows me to prepare meals at home faster and with less energy than stove top or oven cooking. With the interchangeable grill plates it can do far more than the older versions, not to mention the cleanup is far easier than it used to be.

In recent months, my male offspring has tended to eat things he can prepare for himself. These also tend to be pre-packaged ready to "heat and eat" items (translation - more expensive than made from scratch). The grill has certainly captured his interest since I can make meals faster than before and he's been quite happy to suggest foods I can make for him (though the little tyrant seems to expect me not only to cook, but serve and clean up afterwards). For whatever reason, they also seem to fill him up more than the heat and eat variety so it boasts an unexpected savings there. In fact, the conversation we have deciding what to fix, the ensuing discussion of how fast it was, and his perceptions on the ability of the grill to make quality meals (notice not my ability but the grill's...) has been equally as stimulating as what we normally have when we eat out. Thus, I don't feel making the choice to purchase the grill and cook more at home has in any way degraded the original intent of the restaurant meal - which was communication.

I chose the grill with 2 bonus snack plates included and picked it up at Target for $129.00. I saved another $10.00 by using a coupon I found stuffed in my wallet. I'd already been told by a close friend, who has the grill, it was a good choice - reliable and works as promised. So I figure in a few weeks it will more than pay for itself in restaurant savings, not to mention less pre-packaged food costs, and a bottomless pit that does finally seem to have a bottom. The reality is by spending a little money, I am likely to save more in other areas, more than covering the cost.

This is only one example of how spending can save you money. It could be a tool you would use around the house or garden. It could be a new vehicle vs. the never ending nickel and dimes of repairs to an older vehicle slowly falling apart. Or, maybe you need to weigh the cost of a new cell phone plan against the unexpected 5000 text messages your kid sent last month sending your bill spiraling into the hundreds of dollars. (Nope not me - I've learned from the horror stories - my offspring has unlimited text and instant messaging on his phone.) There are any number of places we can look where spending a little may help us save. Of course, if it's a one time use item, try to borrow or rent it. Or perhaps a friend has one you can try out, or can give an unbiased review on. At the very least, read some user reviews online if you've no other way to check out an item. Use good judgment and don't rush to purchase. But when you've evaluated and decided it's a good deal, go for it - you may be surprised how much it saves you in the long run.

Update: I've had my Foreman G5 grill now for about 2 months and I absolutely love it! I recommend it highly as a good investment. We use it at least 5 times a week for one meal or another (breakfast included). It's simple enough I don't even worry about said male offspring burning down the house when using it on his own. I suppose I spend a little more on meats at the store now, but the cost is far outweighed by the savings on restaurant dining. If I had to choose only a few kitchen items I could keep (though the thought of actually NOT having all my gadgets makes me shudder with fear) this would definitely be a keeper. Between it and the microwave I rarely have to heat up the stove top or the oven anymore.