5 Reasons Frugal Living is Like a Vasectomy

I got snipped a while back. As I lay there on the doctor’s table my head was spinning with different thoughts. My wife and I have been blessed with three wonderful kids and I knew that I was totally doing the right thing. But there is something about a vasectomy that goes against the caveman mentality of providing, protecting, and reproducing. Speaking of cavemen, to quote the great Meat Loaf, “Two out of three ain’t bad.” Right? Bottom-line is a vasectomy is clearly a frugal thing to do and here are 5 reasons why…

1. Gotta Have a Plan

As a dad, a big part of frugal living is having a plan for your future, whether it be retirement planning or college tuition. You gotta think about what lies ahead. What lay ahead for me was a weekend on the couch with various bags of frozen vegetables. But in all seriousness, another child would have thrown a major wrench in our plans. Specifically, our car and housing situation would have to change significantly as well as our financial and retirement goals. I would probably have to retire at an older age, I am guessing 90!

2. Research Purchases

As a a frugal guy, I tend to analyze and research all significant purchases. According to the USA Today the cost of raising a child over the next 17 years is approximately $250,000. That was all the research I needed to do when it came to the big V. Our family of 5 is complete and it was time for me to call the doc and make the appointment.

3. Live Within Your Means

I’m not sure we could afford another child right now. Of course we would make it work, but why take that risk. Similar to the idea of living within your means, and not extending yourself financially, going under the knife symbolized that my wife and I were very content to live with the blessing we do have.

4. Take Responsibility

I have heard of men who refuse to get a vasectomy because of nothing more than fear. Fear will often keep you from doing the responsible thing. My procedure was a piece of cake compared to any operation my wife would have to undertake. So just like frugal living, sometimes you have to be honest with yourself about your current situation and do the responsible thing for your family. Whether that be reducing spending, paying off credit card debt, or getting neutered.

5. Appreciate the Blessings You Have

For me, a huge part of frugal living is appreciating what you have and not dreaming of something better. If you let it, your mind will get carried away with keeping up with the Joneses and before you know it, you have missed all of the “good stuff” in life. If getting your scrotum cut open and having your vas deferens severed is not a sign of appreciating the family you do have, I’m not sure what is.

Hey guys, agree or disagree? I look forward to your comments.

6 Responses to “5 Reasons Frugal Living is Like a Vasectomy”

1. DC @ Young Adult Money on January 28th, 2013 8:48 pm

   The title of this post made me cringe. I also can’t wait to hear what search terms you get for this post haha. I guess I agree with you, though I’d rather not think about a vasectomy haha
   DC @ Young Adult Money recently posted…Why Email is Better than Talking on the Phone

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2. Kyle on January 29th, 2013 10:38 am

   Good point David, the search terms alone will make for a fun post!

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3. John @ Frugal Rules on January 29th, 2013 11:09 am

   Boy, this title got me to read. I think you bring up some solid points that do make sense. We’re in the same place after having four, I am done. Thankfully I’ve not gotten the “Friday afternoon special” as some call it as we’ve taken other measures. Like DC, I wonder what kind of search hits you’ll get.
   John @ Frugal Rules recently posted…Festival of Frugality #373

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4. Kyle on January 29th, 2013 11:12 am

   Hey John – Friday afternoon special, that is great…and so true!!

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5. eemusings on February 1st, 2013 5:46 pm

   Bahaha. Inspired title! I say if you know you don’t want any more kids, taking appropriate measures is a sensible thing to do.
   eemusings recently posted…Guest post: How lump sum payments can get you out of debt fast

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6. Maddie Klingaman on February 27th, 2013 10:49 am

   100% Juice, no seeds….BWAAHA HA HA HA!
   LOL… funny sh*t.
   When I married my husband already had 4 kids and didn’t want anymore and he came already neutered. Sad for me, but I knew that I was too old for babies anyway, plus the oldest at the time was only two years from graduating high school. Now, all but one (and not the youngest) is out of school and living on their own or going to college. I have suggested that we get a place that has one bedroom so that there are no returns…lol, somehow I’ve been outvoted.

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