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I don't understand why there are so many people that think that being frugal is the same as being cheap. I have always understood that being frugal is spending your money wisely and not on things that your really don't need. Cheap is not paying for your fair share of things. Am I wrong in my definitions?
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Re: Frugal vs. Cheap
I haven't thought about it much, but your definitions seem right to me. Living in a culture that says to spend, spend, spend on things you absolutely, positively MUST HAVE, though, it's probably easy for people to mistake what we call being frugal as being cheap.
I think we live in a society that values spending a lot of money and aims to make people feel that they need things that aren't all that necessary.
Someone might accuse me of being cheap because I buy the bulk of clothes for DD at thrift stores or on eBay (if they aren't made at home by me or grandma, or a hand-me-down). I call it being frugal - why pay more when after one or two washings of something new you can't tell the difference anyway? -
Re: Frugal vs. Cheap
I have to agree with DivaJen here. Society puts such an emphasis on buying and keeping up with the Jone's that people probably make that assumption without even thinking. There is a difference between being frugal and being cheap although I'm not sure I can come up with a good definition. Yours certainly comes close if not right on.
The thing to remember is to be true to yourself. Worrying about what others think is along the same lines as trying to keep up with the Jone's because of what they might think. I know it can be frustrating. I certainly don't want to be viewed as cheap by others although I am sure that some of my aquaintences do.Comment
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Re: Frugal vs. Cheap
It's good to hear that I'm not the only one with this problem. I do have to agree with you. A big part of the problem is the consumerism that prevails everywhere. Everyone is told to "buy, buy, buy" so if you don't, that means that there must be something strange with you. I think we need to have a revolution to change that
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Re: Frugal vs. Cheap
I completely agree!Originally posted by marlaI think we need to have a revolution to change that
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I'm all for a revolution!
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I am frugal and not cheap.
I am frugal by choice to be able to stay home with my sons.Comment
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Re: Frugal vs. Cheap
Same here. I wrote a journal entry about choosing this lifestyle. Sure, we could be building on our house or going on nice vacations, but to do so would require me working full-time and putting DD in daycare. That isn't the choice we want to make. Having DD with one of her parents is more important to us than those other things. So we've made our choice and live with it, knowing that we are trying to stay true to our values.Originally posted by Tree0164Comment
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Re: Frugal vs. Cheap
Jen, I worked part-time out of home when was oldest was born. And when my twins were born 2 years ago, I left the job that I was at for almost 10 yr. People thought I was crazy to give up a great paying part-time job (still 30 hrs 3 10 hr plus days) and I couldn't see me doing it with twins. It was the best choice I ever made to leave the corporate world.
I was frugal before my kids but hubby and I were kidless for 6 year and we liked to have fun though too. I knew where we could cut back on. Luckily, I found a work at home job and started my home biz or things would be super tight.
Choices. I am glad that I made mine.
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Re: Frugal vs. Cheap
This is a terrible misconception, but I run into it quite often. I have to agree the societal focus on consuming goods doesn't help. It would be nice if there were a way to start a change.Comment
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Re: Frugal vs. Cheap
Hubby and I have an inside date night each Sunday evening. The boys are put to bed earlier. We have a special dinner just the two of us, watch a movie and munch on some popcorn. The cost probably $5.00 or less... dinner homemade steak, potatos, netflix movie (we pay $20.00 a month for unlimited movie rental) and pennies for popcorn
Let's say we did went out we could spend $70 easily. $40 or so for dinner, $20 for movie ticket and $10 for movie snacks and drinks.Comment
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I like to say that if I'm frugal...I don't have to be cheap.Comment
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Re: Frugal vs. Cheap
Some things we are frugal about some things we aren't. I know some people would call me cheap for buying my dd's clothes at garage sales or thrift stores for her 2 or 3 years in advance (she is under 5). But when I go to a garage sale and see something for in a bigger size that I know she will eventually grow into I will buy it knowing that the few dollars I spent I will get my monies worth from it. Also I am keeping her things so when we have an other baby in the future we (hopefully) will not have to buy as much for the new baby. But I know the clothes I buy her are in good condition and she will not wear them out. So in the long run I am saving money.
RazzyComment
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Re: Frugal vs. Cheap
I personally htink cheap is buying something cause it is cheap, not because you need it. I think frugal is buying the best deal your budget can afford, and there has to be some variation in budgets, some people buy cheaper food so they ca go on vacation some so they ca pay the other bills. I unfortunatly know several cheap people, and it gives the frugal thing a bad name. I hated it, but I have to be frugal, and what try to do is stick with what doesn't bother me. So I still buy expensive socks (last longer) while a cheap person I know buys cheap ones, and wears holes.Comment
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Re: Frugal vs. Cheap
I know one of the best items we made more for, but has lasted us longer than buying cheap, is paying more for a better quality shower curtain and not buying the cheapy one because it is cheap. The shower curtain we bought cost a bit more but has lasted a lot longer and has saved us money because we did not have to buy a new one every year. The cheapy ones we have bought in past have torn easy and not lasted. This one has one tear in it but it is still in good condition. I will never go for cheap again with shower curtains.
RazzyComment
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