Almost all of the time, I enjoy being frugal.

Sometimes it's because I enjoy the creative challenge of coming up with ways to reuse things or do things just as well but less expensively. [For example, squishing leftover bits of soap in to usable balls or creating my own condiments with items on hand.]

Sometimes the reward is so great that even tho' something is a lot of hard work I am willing to do it. [For example, having a garage sale or moving ourselves.]

Sometimes it's all about having a positive mindset and realizing that spending a lot of money isn't always better. [For example, enjoying cheap entertainment like walking the dog or reading a book from the library.]

Sometimes it's an intellectual challenge, which I find enjoyable. [Shopping around for the best deal on purchases, whether major ones such as a house or car, or minor ones such as cereal.]

But ... I will confess ... Once in a blue moon it is NOT fun. Sometimes I do it just because it is the right thing to do, because it keeps me moving toward my over-riding long term goal of financial security.

So ... you're probably wondering what this dreaded chore is that has me writing in a less-than-positive way? IRONING DH'S DRESS SHIRTS!!! Laugh if you like, but I just don't like ironing those things. I think it's because the payoff for the effort involved is so ridiculously low.

I don't mind housecleaning ... Yes, it's work and not always fun, but the reward is a nice, clean, sparkling home! I don't mind cooking simple meals, doing the dishes, laundry, etc, etc. I'm not a huge fan of yardwork but the payoff is great and it does provide a pretty good workout so I'm happy to do it. I don't even mind ironing simple, flat items like hankies, table clothes, etc. But those darn SHIRTS with all their little bits ...collars, cuffs, fronts, backs, and whatever you call that little thing that goes across the shoulders ... each little part has to be ironed individually, and all that turning and ironing this way and that ... all that time and effort involved and all you get for it is a shirt that is not wrinkled. Big whoop.

When we first got married we were less frugal minded. We were both working long hours at semi-yuppie careers, DH wore a dress shirt to work every day, and we took his shirts to a cleaners to be laundered. As we started getting better with our money I started ironing his shirts when I had the time (I'd say I ironed about half of them at that point); if I fell behind on the ironing or was out of town myself, some shirts still went to the cleaners. When DH's former employer switched to a business-casual dress code and he only needed dress shirts for client meetings and business trips, we stopped taking shirts to the cleaners at all and ironed them all at home. Since DH started his own business, he needs dress shirts only when he travels (plus occasionally for a really important meeting). The number of shirts needing ironing has gone down, but that hasn't helped my opinion of it. I still really dislike it!

If we ever reach the point where we are "set for life and then some," I seriously think I will start sending his dress shirts out to the cleaners again. [How's that for a silly "when I am rich" fantasy?]

In the meantime, I will continue ironing his dress shirts, and will continue reminding myself that it is for the greater good!