Frugal. Frugality. Frugaling? These words, which rarely appear anywhere near the word “physician”, are interpreted different ways by different people. I think we all have the same understanding of the definition, although we may use different synonyms to describe what frugal means to us.
Do you see frugality as a good thing? If so, similar words that may come to mind are thrifty, prudent, penny-wise, or smart with money.
There seem to be two types of people in this world: those who feel good when they spend money, and those that feel good when they save money.
I can’t tell you the psychology behind it, but I think some brains’ reward systems are wired very differently when it comes to spending.
When taken too far, frugality can cause you to miss out on worthwhile experiences. Frugality can be a hindrance to fun and can lead to hours wasted in search of a slightly better deal.
The truth is, when your income is in the range of a typical physician’s, frugal choices in your day-to-day life don’t make a huge difference.