When I was a kid, one of the most exciting parts of going back to school was new “school” shoes. In keeping that tradition alive, I always make a big deal about new shoes for my kiddos when shopping for school supplies. This year was no different, except for the fact that my 13-year-old refused to get new sneakers. His feet had outgrown every pair of shoes he owned, but it did not matter. He refused to even look at a pair of tennis shoes.

Normally, my son is a sneaker-head. He LOVES shoes, particularly basketball and baseball footwear.

When I asked him why he didn’t want new shoes, he said, “I’m saving you and Dad money.”

I then asked, “If I don’t buy you new school shoes, do you believe I won’t make you go back to school?”

He gave me a sly grin and said, “Maybe.”

He is ridiculous. His ankles were hurting. Due to the holes in his shoes, his toes had experienced multiple traumas. He complained of his knees aching. Never did he realize that it might have had something to do with his tragic choice of footwear.

There is a price to pay with frugality of these sorts. When I think about his reasoning being no school shoes would equal no school, I wonder how many times we all hold back on something because we rationalize that it will produce a preferred outcome.

We are suffering from the cost of our frugality. We are shortchanging our lives and those around us by being stingy with our efforts. The pains of insecurity, loneliness, and failure are proliferated because of our unwillingness to move out of our “comfort zone”. We are Scrouges preventing our own success because we refuse to reach out in new ways.

Forget being frugal with your energy and purpose!

Put some Intentergy into your plans this week (and beyond). If there is a healthy choice you have been putting off, make it. If there is a room in your home that is begging to be refreshed, refresh it. If there is a friend who feels distant, make a connection. If there is a new career calling you, take the call. If there is a road that’s been tempting you to travel, hit that highway. Don’t let your inhibitions cause you pain. Put yourself in a new place, and you just might find yourself more comfortable and stronger than you could have imagined.

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. The 3rd day of school I received an email from the P.E. coach requesting that we provide our child with adequate footwear. I didn’t say a word when my boy arrived home, but when he walked in and explained that his foot went completely through his shoe and Coach had to tape it up, I asked if he was ready for new shoes. He said, “Yeah, that might be a good idea.” Find your good idea. Get away from what’s hurting and holding you back. Get those new shoes!