Frugal vs. Cheap

[Bookie]

Re: Frugal vs. Cheap

I'd say the difference is that when you are cheap, you only look at the price tag, whereas when you are frugal, you consider the value of the item vs the price tag...

Bingo!

[Ima saver]

Re: Frugal vs. Cheap

I have decided to only buy what I really need and what will bring me enjoyment!

[markio26]

Re: Frugal vs. Cheap

i can see myself as a lil bit of both... frugal and cheap, thrifty is a better term... i like a good deal.... the hunt is the most fun... the waiting is a time saver.. because i don't run and purchase the item.. i wait for the right time.

[rob62521]

Re: Frugal vs. Cheap

Being frugal, is like many of you have said, is looking for a good deal. I have been wanting to purchase a blender. My DH looked them up in Consumer Reports and then we went to shopping. It was amazing that Lowe's had it over $40 cheaper than a department store. Plus, I'm getting a $10 rebate. Same blender...so although I bought something, I think doing the homework made me frugal.

[somerlyn]

Re: Frugal vs. Cheap

I believe, frugel is choosing wisely, cutting where you can. Cheap is trying not to pay at all on things you should. Half of a lunch check, a gift, etc.

[Ima saver]

Re: Frugal vs. Cheap

I have a friend that is very cheap. all of their vacations are based on how much food they an get to eat that cost very little. It does not matter to him, that the food tastes lousy, it is just how much he can get to eat for under $4!! He likes all you can eat buffets, while I will not eat at a buffet. I know how long that food has been sitting there!!

[The Budget Man]

Re: Frugal vs. Cheap

I have a friend that is very cheap. all of their vacations are based on how much food they an get to eat that cost very little. It does not matter to him, that the food tastes lousy, it is just how much he can get to eat for under $4!! He likes all you can eat buffets, while I will not eat at a buffet. I know how long that food has been sitting there!!

I have a sister who is like that sometimes. Over the years we've had some interesting times when chea has ended up as yuck!

A couple of years ago she worked out what was happening and now things are improving.

Enjoy Your Money
The Budget Man

https://www.PersonalityBudgeting.com

when you need a budget

[markio26]

Re: Frugal vs. Cheap

i have several moocher friends and family members... they are unteachable and unchangeable.. i have tried talking, showing examples of acting and eating better, using coupons, not letting them have their way, being upset with them, nothing works... they are hopeless, maybe even fatally flawed...i always pay or tip... never have i been treated for the entire meal... i just avoid them lately..
we just had a sunday impulse dinner with our friend wally and his new wife and several of their friends at red lobster.. the bill was $250 and wally offered to treat, i had a gc for $25, and i tipped $30... there were 4 in my party... no one else at the table offered.. this was not right...

[Ima saver]

Re: Frugal vs. Cheap

No one else tipped?? That is terrible. In my opinion, if you cannot afford to tip, you cannot afford to go out to eat. I talked to one little girl at the new restaurant that just opened here. she is making about $30 a night in tips, 5 nights a week. That is $150, less than minimum wage and she has 5 children.

[boefixepa]

Re: Frugal vs. Cheap

I think it has to do with each person's definition. I can't tell you how many times I've run across a 'definition' problem. We all speak english, yet each person has their own 'dictionary' if you will. I can say one thing and another person will agree, but in their mind it's completly different than how I see it.

Too many people cheap/furgal are synonymous. In fact you might find them in a thesaurus as such. I will admit that to try as split them is more of a conotation situation.

Webster says frugal is:
Main Entry: fru·gal
Pronunciation: 'frü-g&l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin frugalis virtuous, frugal, from frug-, frux fruit, value; akin to Latin frui to enjoy
: characterized by or reflecting economy in the use of resources
synonym see SPARING


Webster says cheap is:
Main Entry: cheap
Function: adjective
1 a : purchasable below the going price or the real value b : charging or obtainable at a low price c : depreciated in value (as by currency inflation) <cheap dollars>
2 : gained with little effort <a cheap victory>
3 a : of inferior quality or worth : TAWDRY, SLEAZY b : contemptible because of lack of any fine, lofty, or redeeming qualities c : STINGY
4 a : yielding small satisfaction b : paying or able to pay less than going prices
5 of money : obtainable at a low rate of interest

I think if you look at this the difference is obvious. I fall on the side of a wise use of reasources. That is my goal...all the negitive conotation problems we run into fall under the word 'cheap.'

We need to try our hardest to use furgality as a wise or sparing use of resources and yes money is a resource.

[boomeyers]

Re: Frugal vs. Cheap

My husband is having trouble with this at work. He used to be proudly frugal, driving his paid for old car and getting whatever deals he could. Now he is working at a new job where the people are very materialistic. Suddenly nothing is good enough any more and they are hurting his pride by making fun of his car and ways. I am trying to get him to focus on the things he does have, but he said we should be farther than we are!

[markio26]

Re: Frugal vs. Cheap

imasaver: wally was coaxed into taking a party of 7 ppl. by his daughter, plus our party of 4.. i think i will send him and his new wife a thank you card, and one of my half off dinner certificates from that restaurant website.... yeah... he wanted something from everyone, he announced when he received the check $250 bucks... wow!!! and then asked his new wife, do we have a card for this... that is why, i stepped up to the plate.... and i felt like he was taken advantage of by the other guests, they bought drinks and crab legs, the most expensive stuff on the menu.... sad............................................... ................. i would not want any hard feelings... have to live with myself you know what i mean????????they are probably still paying their wedding bills, they wed last month.

[The Budget Man]

Re: Frugal vs. Cheap

My husband is having trouble with this at work. He used to be proudly frugal, driving his paid for old car and getting whatever deals he could. Now he is working at a new job where the people are very materialistic. Suddenly nothing is good enough any more and they are hurting his pride by making fun of his car and ways. I am trying to get him to focus on the things he does have, but he said we should be farther than we are!

Here's a story of encouragement for your husband. I've had a wide variety of cars (135 at last count) from the Merc to the old bomb. It's interesting watching people's reactions. At one stage we had a Statesman Caprice and even the police used to treat me differently.

One afternoon I was giving the boss a lift home in an old bomb. He commented that surely I should have a better car. My reply was that I can be happy in anything. I don't need the Merc to make me happy. That's the bottom line. I like great cars but I don't need them to make me happy.

Interestingly when I compared myself at the time to the boss I was worth more than double what he was and he was on a far higher pay scale.

Your husband might like to do the sums on how much further behind you would be if you had the big loans all these years to finance the cars.

All the best.

Enjoy Your Money
The Budget Man

https://www.PersonalityBudgeting.com

when you need a budget

[boomeyers]

Re: Frugal vs. Cheap

Thank you Budget Man! The words of encouragement really helped!

[neguy11]

Re: Frugal vs. Cheap

Here is my take.

I work at a movie theatre. To me a cheap person is someone who will come and ask for a snacker popcorn and 6 free cups of water for themselve, instead of just purchasing a cup of pop or a bottled water or being like everyone else and asking for one. Yes, we give cups of water for free, but if it is abused it may go away. Oh and then they will ask for a carrying tray to carry the 6 free cups of water they got for themselves. They will also complain about the prices while they're at it, not realizing that those free cups of water and those carrying trays cost money. They will buy a snacker popcorn, then come back and ask for a refill - when I say we only give refills on large popcorn, they will roll their eyes and huff off.

So I think a cheap person is someone who doesn't necessarily NOT spend money, but actively complains about prices to anyone and everyone and makes up for it by doing things like loading up on the "free" things stores offer -- cups of water, ketchup packs, which aren't really free -- saying their 11 year old is 9 when they go to Disneyworld to get a childs ticket price, etc.

To me a frugal person wouldn't be at the movies in the first place. They would wait until it went to the $2 theatre or rent it on DVD. And if they did go to the movies, it would only be for a matinee and they would try to use Movie Cash certificates they earned from an offer. They don't complain about prices, but rather look for deals -- using their points card to earn free movie tickets, getting a large, refillable popcorn, instead of two snacker size popcorns, getting a large soda (only $.50 more than a small) and sharing it, instead of getting two separate drinks, etc.

That being said, I think complaining about the price of non-necessity items (and MOST things are not necessities) is obnoxious, annoying, unbecoming, and I do NOT like it. To me that is THE SIGN of a cheap person. We have way too many whiners in America!