Sometimes the words ?frugal? and ?cheap? are used interchangeably to describe people who don?t like to spend a lot of money. I have used them interchangeably in the past myself, but since then I?ve learned that frugal and cheap have vastly different meanings.
According to Dictionary.com, frugal is an adjective which means ?economical in use or expenditure; prudently saving or sparing; not wasteful.” While cheap, when used an adjective, means ?costing very little; relatively low in price; inexpensive.”
On the surface they may still seem to be synonymous, but in practice, being cheap is not frugal and being frugal is not always cheap. Here are two examples to illustrate what I mean.
On Food
If you are a frugal person, you will cook your meals at home using ingredients that were on sale at the grocery store that week. You will clip coupons and shop primarily in the outer edges of the store to obtain the healthiest ingredients at the best prices because you know that spending a little more money to eat healthy will save money on health care?in the long-run.
However, if you are a cheap person you will eat a lot of highly processed junk food and fast food from dollar menus. Your main focus is to spend as little money on food as possible. You also generally don?t consider the long-term effects of eating this junk food and what it will cost you later in life when you develop diabetes, high cholesterol, or other expensive health problems. You only consider the costs today.
On Household Purchases
A frugal person will shop around to get the best deal before making a large purchases for their household. No matter if it?s furniture that needs replacing, a kitchen appliance, or something smaller, they do adequate research to find high-quality goods for a decent price. They don?t usually settle for the bottom of the barrel equipment, but they don?t necessarily have to have top-of-the-line items either. They often buy used items that are in good condition.
Before they even consider buying something new, a frugal person will seek to maintain and fix the items they already own. Only if it?s not economical to fix something will they even consider buying something new.
Conversely, a cheap person will almost never try to fix anything and they don?t usually treat their belongings with care. They don?t shop around and they don?t plan ahead. They wait until the last minute to purchase something they need and then they buy the first cheap option they come across.
You can probably tell already, there is a pattern here. While a frugal person likes to save money, they also know that spending more money to get higher quality goods will help them over the long-run. They won?t have to replace their belongings as often and the won?t have to worry as much about negative consequences of their money-saving actions because they consider the opportunity costs before making a purchasing decision. Being frugal is usually a positive, while being cheap is usually a negative over the long-run.
Are you frugal or are you cheap? Why do you think so many confuse the two terms? What things are you purposely frugal in so as to have money for other needs?
Photo courtesy of: Pixabay
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Kayla, it feels great that I am frugal because I consider value and cost at the same time especially when buying products and services. I used to be cheap but it all changed when being cheap did cost me more money.
I have been cheap in the past, but like you said, I learned from some of my past cheap mistakes.
I used to definitely get frugal and cheap confused and even recently I said I was going to wait until something went on sale to buy it and I had a friend call me cheap. I wasn’t offended by the comment, though. I think a frugal person is someone who makes smart and informed money decisions and a cheap person goes for the lowest price at all costs no matter what.
That’s exactly right Shannon. I sometimes get called cheap by my friends too, but I know they really mean frugal (at least most of the time). 🙂
Woo hoo! I’m frugal!! Seriously though, you should try to fix everything at least once. With YouTube, there is a video for how to fix just about everything. It really is mind boggling. I usually watch the video and then decide if it is something I can tackle on my own or if I could do it with the help of another person. I’ve saved somuch money going this route as opposed to just throwing it out and buying new.
Yes, I agree. You should at least attempt to fix things as long as it doesn’t cost more to fix than to replace.
Cheap people will wear their contacts until they literally fall apart (sometimes taking part of a cornea with it) while frugal people will compare lenses and prices and buy a year supply to get a discount and rebate!
I am frugal with everyday purchases like food and clothing so that we can take trips when we want to and splurge while on vacation.
That’s great Kim!
I have been guilty of totally associating the word frugal with cheap, but I know now that there is a difference. With that being said I am frugal and go out of my way to have what I want (quality) at the best price possible. My definition and I’m sticking to it.
That’s great Petrish! I’m glad you are sticking to your own definition.
I totally loved this one! Some of us mistakenly identify cheap as frugal, but they are really different. I can say that I’m a frugal type of person!
I’m not always frugal, but I’m definitely not cheap!
I often consider how frugal/cheap actions impact my friends and family too. If an act of saving money inconveniences or embarrasses my family, then it’s likely an act of being cheap. Do you drive out of your way to find gas that’s 2c/gal cheaper? Do you do this while you’re picking up your daughter and her friend from school? That is cheap. Do you fill up cheap gas because you notice it’s along the way to work? That is being frugal.
Considering the effect on your friends and family is a great idea!