Music Mondays - I Would Do Anything
I Would Do Anything For...
Bear with me on this one people. I am going to take some liberties with the song title to prove my point. The song that inspired today’s post is "I’d Do Anything for Love, But I Won’t Do That" by Meatloaf. In a song where he would vow to go to hell and back for love, it makes you wonder what the one thing is that he wouldn’t do. It is one of rock’s mysteries to this day. I would like to replace the word “love” with “saving money,” so in my mind the song title is “I’d Do Anything for Saving Money, But I Won’t Do That.”
Saving Money
I have shared on this blog and others about how I have become more frugal minded to the point of hating to spend money. Saving money is not only a passion of mine, but it’s part of my job. I am constantly looking for ways to help my clients save money and maximize their paychecks. And just as I would never recommend an investment product that I didn’t believe in, I would never recommend a saving strategy that I didn’t believe in or use myself.Recently through work with another company, I was introduced to a producer for the show Extreme Cheapskates on TLC (I had never seen the show before this point). She asked me if I was interested in appearing on the show, and since I am always interested in making new connections, I told her to send me the application, and I would consider it. Before I received her email, I sat back and reflected on all of the great money saving tips that I have incorporated into my life and what I would share on the show. I was excited at the opportunity to represent the frugalies on a national platform. I was excited until…
But I Won't Do That
I read the casting call questionnaire. The first few questions were innocuous ones like name, address, etc. Then they asked about the most extreme measures I have taken to save money. In my mind, thoughts of switching from shower wash to bar soap, and stretching out my hair coloring sessions came to mind. Then I notice that they reference another attachment to utilize if I need reminders of some of the extreme ways I save money. I will not share their full list; however, I will share some of the more eye-opening measures that I read:
- Potty train cat
- Reusing pet fur
- Keep outdated food in the fridge to save energy and reduce electricity costs; it’s always better to have a full fridge and freezer.
- Turn underwear and socks inside out to get extra usage.
- Separating two-ply toilet paper
- Dumpster dive
- Make a doll out of a corn cob and a baby bassinet made from a quaker oat box
- Make your own makeup with crayons
Okay, so I would do anything for saving money, but I won’t do those things. I don’t even know what you would do with re-used pet fur and I can’t imagine that makeup made from crayons is going to stay on my face.
I Will Only Go So Far
The entire time I was reading this list I was thinking of the people who do these things (or at least pretend to do them to get on TV) and I felt sad for them. Where I love to save money, I am also a fan of the cost benefit analysis and value argument of saving money. I would rather try to use less toilet paper than spend hours of my day separating two-ply. I would rather look for coupons and deals on cat litter than spend an insane amount of my time figuring out how to potty train my cat.So, I will not be appearing on Extreme Cheapskates anytime soon, and I am okay with that. I support those who go to extremes to save money; I just know that I am not one of them. I think it’s important for all of us to understand our limits when it comes to saving money; and rather than go to extremes, I would rather earn more money or find other ways to make my budget work. So, when I advise my clients on saving money, I don't necessarily advise them on extraordinary measures. I don’t want to see people go to extremes in the effort of saving money to only waste other precious commodities like time and sanity.