Can living frugally be addicting? Better yet, can it be too addicting? Have you ever found yourself being so frugal, that you are calculating not only every single way that you are saving money, but also when you lose money? As a personal finance blogger, I strive to find new ways to save money. I absolutely enjoy finding creative ways to cut costsΒ as well as sharing them with my readers. In some ways, I wonder if it will be the end of me.

A Tough Economy Increases Frugal Living

I imagine that people love to find new ways to save money, especially in such a horrible economy.Β In fact, I think the recent recession-like economy has had a positive impact on individuals’/families’ choices to live within their means. I wouldn’t say that the current economy pushed me to be so frugal. I’ve always been one that has enjoyed financial responsibility. Starting this personal finance blog has led me to be more conscious of my personal finances. After all, I do, on a regular basis, offer financial tips to my readers. This includes calculating investment returns or how much money can be saved by doing some task, etc.

Knowing Where I Lose Money: The Cost of Rain

September has arrived and brought rain along with it. For the entire first week in September it rained. While my family likes to contend that they are getting more rain than me, our region is now on record-setting pace for rainfall. This rain-filled week immediately following Hurricane Irene as well, one of the strongest hurricanes to reach the Northeast in recent history. Okay, before I rant too long about the rain, I will get to the point. As I have published already, I decided to start biking to work to save money. I am not committed enough to ride the 5 miles to work in the rain, so when it does happen, I am forced to take the train. The train isn’t any major inconvenience, but I know too much for my own good.

Because I calculate my the savings by riding to work, every time the rain prevents me from biking to work I know that the price of rain is quite high. In fact, each and every time it rains, it costs me $4.50. That may not sound like a lot, but there are so many other things I would rather spend my money on. Even better, I would rather use this money to invest for the future. This is turning into an obsession. It controls my thoughts. Instead of merely embracing the change, the numbers immediately pop into my mind.

Do You Obsess Over Saving Money?

This leads me to ask whether I am focusing too much on saving money. And so I turn to my readers. I think it is important to track your expenses, but am I focusing too much on how much I save? Am I a living example of someone who takes frugal too far?

*featured image provided by: AMagill via Flickr