Do you consider yourself cheap or frugal?

[bjl584]

I think I'm frugal. My peers think I'm cheap.

[hulegu3]

I consider myself cheap. I buy non-name brand items usually but I have to have some more expensive things.

[GREENBACK]

Originally Posted by bjl584

I think I'm frugal. My peers think I'm cheap.

I run into this attitude as well. It's mostly from those carrying a ton of debt but love to show much they have to spend or how generous they are with their "wealth".

I watch my finances closely, give quite a bit to charity and don't spend a lot on cars, jewelery, houses, etc.. If that's cheap then count me in.

[creditcardfree]

I'd say more frugal than cheap.

I was able to get most Christmas gifts brand new for free by using coupons and free gift cards. The gifts themselves are nice, but they didn't hurt my pocketbook one bit.

[baconexplosion]

Frugal. Cheap doesn't mean your saving money! I'll pinch a penny 'till it cries, but I won't buy junk... I'll just have to buy it again when it breaks.

[photo]

It's all in how one defines each term. To me, frugal is simply being smart with money. Cheap is being selfish with gift-giving and going without necessities.

I know very few people that I'd consider cheap, and they're rather unattractive to others.

[johna]

I always just say "I'm too cheap" when people ask why I don't buy coffee at the expensive coffee shops, or why I buy generic stuff, or why I rarely go out to eat.

[florent]

You can be frugal and save on the silly stuff and then spend money on the stuff you actually value.

[vitalogist]

Before, I think I'm frugal. Practicality is my mantra. My girlfriend thinks I'm cheap because we rarely go out.

[DebtFree&Broke]

I usually consider myself frugal because I try to find a good deal on everything that I buy. But if somebody tells me I have to pay for something and I can't get a better price the cheapskate kicks in and I get grumpy.

[ShawnaC123]

Originally Posted by CHH1023

I'm cheap, that's why I don't own any pets.....well, that's not completely true. I do have a pet rock on my table.

My dogs are well worth the money, and then some.

[CouponMama]

Definitely frugal.

[snafu]

I see cheapskates as short term thinkers, they can't bear to spend money, their behavior affects those around them in a negative way, they need to take advantage of others and are often mean spirited.

Those who are frugal aren't seeking instant gratification, they think long term, seeking value without sacrificing quality. They will splurge but are not brand driven, don't need to take advantage of others and have goals.

I prefer the label 'thrifty.' I plan purchases and research both quality and price points. Experience has taught me that sometimes quality counts and somethings are better bought on price.

[Kelli-Saving Money]

Saving money has never been more in vogue. Be proud to be frugal or cheap.

[Jon991]

Originally Posted by nick__45

I would never own a cat. They are pretty useless.

Maybe indoor cats are useless but let me tell you, I live on acreage and when I moved in years ago, I saw at least two snakes a day slithering around my house, I was told to get a couple cats, which I did, and I have not seen a SINGLE snakes since.

Cats become useless when they are trapped indoors. Cats need to hunt. When they are freed outdoors, they are great. And they bury their own poop!

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I guess it is cheap for the cat owner near me who lets their cat out every eveing to come poop in my garden. This cat owner saves on buying kittly litter. Cat will probably have a short life, too. I saw the cat drinking out of the city gutter. Imagine the stuff that washes into the gutter. Are cats immune?

Anyway, I do prefer the word "thrifty," but in recent years I've shifted to saying "frugal," which seems to be the trend.

[josetann]

I try to be frugal, but sometimes lean a bit too much on the cheap side. But sometimes even if it looks like I'm being way too cheap, I'm just trying to be frugal.

For example, we often find ourselves away from home for 6+ months out of the year. Now, I could pack every single thing we need, but I'd have to buy extra luggage, and/or pay for extra baggage, pay for shipping, whatever. So I get there, scope out the thrift stores, and if I still come up short I try to buy the cheapest I can. So me buying a $10 pan that's only going to last a few years at best, is actually me attempting to be frugal (though it can backfire...I recently bought a whole set of pans for $10, they were beyond utter crap, at least our daughter likes to play with them).

Regardless, I often have to step back, reassess the situation, and decide if I should actually be spending a bit more to get something of higher quality.