Frugal Fatigue Syndrome...?

Frugal fatigue? I heard that term for the first time last week on the Today Show. I had to ask myself, "Is this for real?" There are so many new syndromes that you can't help but wonder. As you listen or read and consider what's being said, you can often come to the conclusion that in reality there is some truth to these symptom driven and timely afflictions.

With the economic problems that continue to confront even the most stable financial individuals, money issues, blogs, forums, discussion groups, talk shows and more are full of advice. Think about it. Ever Googled any sites such as: The Simple Life? At the top of the page you will see 1-10 of 232,000,000 results. What about: Getting Out of Debt? Type that in and you will see for results 1-10 of 71,300,000. Here's an interesting one - My Money Blog on that page the results were 1-9 of 32,500,000.

Money, debt relief, credit, saving, investments, these have all become part of day to day life, almost overused terms and not just for the financial gurus. They are part of daily life and on everyone's mind.

Frugal Fatigue is real.

Pretty desperate. In USA Today back in October, shopping patterns were noted for those who were on assistance and how according to the article, there's a "new normal" for the retailers. Midnight grocery runs capture economic desperation and demonstrate how stressed people are and how critical it can become to just feed your family and buy ordinary products for daily life. Additionally, one shocking thing is to read that more people are participating in medical experiments to earn money. With no job on the horizon and your house, cars, and family life in general on the line, would you do this? Almost a 30% increase was noted in Americans choosing to participate in health related situations as a viable avenue to earn money. This includes not only taking experimental drugs or treatments but also acting as a surrogate mother or a donor for fertility clinics. These are all legal and supervised by appropriately trained individuals but how healthy for that person? What are the implications down the road for long term health affects, physical and emotional? Again, you can read on and on about what to do to earn money; one article suggests that there are quick ways to earn money but some, though legal, are very humbling; would you go "door to door" asking for jobs? Could you call up relatives and say you are willing to do any chores for cash? What about asking area farmers if they needed help? My ex-husband actually did that last one years back when we were in a crunch and clipped cows of their winter coat. He ended up with a trip to the ER for extreme pain in a knee caused by kneeling in an odd position for an extended period. It was a dirty job for which he earned some cash, firewood and a ham. It helped but it was painful and humbling.

 So if you have clipped coupons, shopped garage sales and good will stores, car pooled, ate peanut butter and jelly or rice and beans forever, stayed home and watched TV, made gifts recycled, reused, regifted and more, how are you feeling? It's suggested that some might be falling back into using the plastic, binging on buying, and just giving up and in to the depression. I knew one person who had retired and couldn't figure why.  She ended up doing 3 part time teaching jobs at local colleges and taxes for a known agency during tax time. She was going over the edge, quickly. I don't know how it turned out for her but I know how she seemed and it wasn't good.

So what's next? A list of things you can do to avoid Frugal Fatigue? Another list..., blog or step by step process to pedal to all those who are feeling overwhelmed?  It's a choice. How do we make it? Balance is a key for me.  Treats and a little splurge once in a while might be an approach.  Maybe there can be a built in rewards system.  I don't have all the answers, except, there is something to this idea of frugal fatigue; we should take notice that more than a few are experiencing it.