Frugal Vs Cheap

[Radiance]

I see a problem with greed as well on that example.

[mtsen]

for ppl who doesn't believe in frugal, its cheap ! they are the same !

for ppl who believe in frugal, many have answered already ...

seriously there are more similarity between the two than differences, so we can't really blame ppl for treating them the same. Here is an easy way to deal with it ...

furgality is when I know I did the right thing, cheap is when some idiots who don't get the idea and continue living a wasteful life ...

[LivingAlmostLarge]

There is a huge difference. Frugal is not going shopping to save money.

Cheap is going shopping, buying clothes, returning the clothes after you wear it to "beat" the system.

[Credit Girl]

Totally agree with Goldy1. Cheap is how you act with others for example you may be cheap with the church by not donating money or you may be cheap with your parents by not helping them out with finances where they need it while frugal is simply being smart with how you spend your own money whether that means looking for bargains or deals or going out less to save more.

[jIM_Ohio]

Originally Posted by tmvijai

I see lot of misunderstanding between being frugal and cheap. Many people use them interchangeably and many just confuse these 2 words.

They are totally different. In your mind, how do you see them different?

Cheap vs frugal

going out on a date and using a coupon to pay is being frugal
buying the date another drink after dinner to loosen her up is still being frugal
not springing $ for a package of condoms on the way home is being cheap.

LOL

[Snippa]

I think you all have a really good understanding and explanation of the difference in the two and I agree completely. My family was cheap when I was growing up. We didn't have much money, true, but they never cared about quality, only the least expense. I've learned that quality matters a lot.

As far as the weddings go... I can't imaging someone doing things like that! That's beyond cheap, that's just plain RUDE.

Dee

[Beppington]

Originally Posted by Joan.of.the.Arch

Cheap seems pejorative while frugal does not.

Calling somebody frugal is just a nice way of calling them cheap!

OK, seriously, frugal seems more like someone being thoughtful & conscious about their spending without taking it so far that they're offensive or embarrassing ... Cheap is spending so little money that you're offensive and/ or embarrassing.

That's my 2 cents ... oops is that being cheap?

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Here's another cheapo person. Have wedding, but only serve cake and punch to teh wedding party and leave the rest of the guests starving at the reception.

[SoCalifrugal]

It is true that you get what you pay for. I used to buy whatever is the cheapest, but I have learned that for some things, you do have to pay more. It will be worth it in the long run. That way you don't have to replace it as soon. In the case of food, the cheapest is usually less healthy.

Don't let yourself get so caught up with saving money that you don't think about purchases. Sometimes one thing might cost only a dollar or a few cents more than the other product. If they are close in price relative to their overall price, stop and evaluate the value before just picking up the product that is $14.50 as opposed to $14.95

[Saving_spree]

Frugal is to save money and get the most of it where as cheap is getting for low price as well as low quality..

[msi56]

Cheap generally means that you value money before spending time with other people or your family.

[Penny Pincher]

Frugal means money wise, while cheap means skinflint.

The first is based on increasing value, the later on buying at the lowest cost regardless of value.