I’m a stay at home wife, so you can imagine I don’t have a full income. To contribute financially, I spend time looking for deals and only buy groceries that are on sale or close to expiry. I’ve always been frugal in my life and only buy second hand for myself.

But lately I’ve started to even feel bad if I turn on the AC or make myself a decent lunch, since I’m not making money and thus I don’t think I deserve those goodies. I sit around at 32°C and eat ramen noodles when I’m home alone. My husband starts to feel worried and said I have a unhealthy relationship with money, almost like anorexia.

There’s no financial abuse in our relationship, and we are doing fine financially. We are able to save 60% of his income. In fact, he encourages me to spend money on myself to enjoy life but I just can’t. I keep thinking how much more we can save.

Anyone feels the same way I do? Any advice on how to change my mindset so I stop being excessively frugal?

EDIT:

Thanks for the kind words. I always make sure we eat healthy, especially for my husband, and insist on fresh meat and some greens everyday. It’s just when it comes to feeding only myself, I cheap out. It’s a self-worth issue.

I feel proud to save 60% each month, and the higher it goes the happier I feel. I even want to aim at 80%. It’s just maybe I’m taking it too far. I need some balance.