100 Words On: The Thin Green Line Between Frugal and Cheap

There is absolutely nothing wrong with trying to stretch your dollar, but like anything else in life, sometimes that philosophy can be taken to its extreme. When making a purchase, frugal folk always consider a multitude of additional factors including the price of their personal time and/or the trade-off between quality and cost. On the other hand, cheapskates are much less pragmatic, usually focusing entirely on the price tag.

The bottom line: Saving cash is certainly a noble goal. However, we cross the dreaded rubicon from “thrifty” into “cheap” the moment we stop caring about getting the best value for our money.

Photo Credit: Giorgio Monteforti

6 comments to 100 Words On: The Thin Green Line Between Frugal and Cheap

  • trixie

    “Cheap” is also stealing as in extra ketchup and napkins from the fast food place. Also giving unsuitable gifts to people, just because you found them at a good price. Frugal is bringing home your leftovers in a doggy bag and finding a suitable gift at a great price.

    Cheap (and selfish) is extreme couponing, hoarding your stash until you consume it beyond its prime, or maybe even have to throw it away. Frugal is buying what you need and/or donating what you don’t need to a food pantry.

  • Jennyfr

    “Cheap” is pretending you are poor when you really are not to get social services like financial counseling. Awful nerve of some people.

  • I see myself as “value conscious”. I like high quality products and services for less.

  • Then I must be a cheap ‘moron’ because I take home the extra napkins too! Rather I stick them in the car door pocket to use when I need to use the water from the water bottle (that I refill from my faucet) to rinse my hands and dry them with from the overflowing Heathbar Blizzard that I indulge in ONLY on road trips to see my mother.

  • [...] but like anything else in life, sometimes that philosophy can be taken to its extreme. ” Len Penzo dot Com AKPC_IDS += [...]

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