Cheap vs Frugal

**Ceashels** · 02-19-2010, 08:51 AM

I found this on Yahoo this morning. It is a little long but gives a perspective for 3 on the difference between the two terms.

You'll need to search/scroll thru the thumbnail pics to find the When Frugal Turns Into Cheap title.

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/play...p/?cl=18211519

**Josephhgoins** · 02-19-2010, 09:21 AM

Very interesting!

Thanks,

**NikoSan999** · 02-19-2010, 09:38 AM

I clicked on the link and got the you tube version, no thumbnails that I could see. No othher click ons.

However, wanted to say anyway, I don't really care whether someone thinks I'm being cheap. That's their perogative the same as sometimes being cheap is mine. Better in my pocket than theirs.

**Greebo** · 02-19-2010, 09:48 AM

Link has been fixed - no thumbnail hunting

**alotofgooddeals** · 02-19-2010, 09:51 AM

yesterday we were at mcdonalds... not my choice however i was ourvoted and so we went..they had tatoos on the counter and my dd picked one up and then her dad picked one up....my dd asked if she couldput one on her forehead..and i said no......and her dad said i am gonna put one on my cheek and i stated okay dear, if you put one on your cheek then dd can put one on her forehead...we of course all laughed and no one did it... but dh made the statement to me...I don't care what people think about me... I haven't cared for years...and i of course said it's about freakin time...I haven't cared for years.....

**frugalgram** · 02-19-2010, 12:39 PM

I was alittle disheartened by the examples of cheap. I prefer to get separate checks when eating out with other couples. We don't drink alcohol or eat appetizers, so I don't want to pay half the check if I didn't consume any of the expensive food and drinks. We always give a good tip on what we purchase.
As far as coupons go, she made it sound like cutting and using coupons interfere with quality family time but I think that's the exception, not the rule. The idea that the time could be spent working a parttime job might work if you live in an area with job openings but our area and many others have few openings.
Her idea that saving a small amount isn't worth it, I don't agree with either. A quarter saved every few days can grow into dollars and dollars into tens, etc. Sometimes, the small change saved can come in very handy. When the money is available for an expected or important expense, it has more value than if the money had been spent frivolously.
I think that I can be frugal and fun and generous. If someone sees me as cheap, I can deal with that.

**NikoSan999** · 02-19-2010, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by frugalgram

As far as coupons go, she made it sound like cutting and using coupons interfere with quality family time but I think that's the exception, not the rule. The idea that the time could be spent working a parttime job might work if you live in an area with job openings but our area and many others have few openings.

Coupons can be cut while watching TV with the family. After they go to bed or whenever. They don't have to be cut at the dinner table eating dinner.
And talk about cutting into quality family time...what does being gone for 20 hrs plus drive time cut into. Face it, most part time jobs involve evening and weekends in which time the family is home. Not to mention possible 3rd shift.

**shoiji** · 02-19-2010, 01:28 PM

Some of the answers as far as being cheap made me leary. Especially when there was a time I literally had to watch my pennies. Personally I do not appreciate paying for someone else's drinks, appetizers, deserts, etc. especially if all I order was worth $5.00.

**Natalie's Nesters** · 02-19-2010, 01:44 PM

I totally agree with the check idea, I like you, but not enough to buy your booze when I do not drink. Coupons are worth it, I think people are just lazy and want everything given to them. I don't care what people think, I like who I have become!

**mamamia** · 02-19-2010, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by frugalgram

As far as coupons go, she made it sound like cutting and using coupons interfere with quality family time but I think that's the exception, not the rule. The idea that the time could be spent working a parttime job might work if you live in an area with job openings but our area and many others have few openings.
Her idea that saving a small amount isn't worth it, I don't agree with either. A quarter saved every few days can grow into dollars and dollars into tens, etc. Sometimes, the small change saved can come in very handy. When the money is available for an expected or important expense, it has more value than if the money had been spent frivolously.

I didn't look at article yet, but the idea that being away from home to get a job, ~vs~ cutting coupons for the sake of quality time spent with our family is insane! That is the VERY reason I do cut coupons! And plus, I just happen to consider it a PT job, and especially so in light of what kind of job I COULD get.

Not everybody is a rocket scientist, kwim? So my coupon savings are probably better than what I could actually earn PT at WallyWorld.

Off to see that story!

Theresa

**Trishagirl** · 02-19-2010, 06:25 PM

I saw the video it was true.

**lisaflex** · 02-19-2010, 07:05 PM

just depends on each of is indivudually....

i think, anyway....

to one it may be frugal, to another cheap. may be cheap to one but frugal to another.

**leighcat** · 02-19-2010, 07:25 PM

I didn't watch the video, but the comments were enough lol!
Cheap vs frugal usually goes by the income level of the person judging which is which. People with lower income probably would view most things as frugal that people with larger incomes would view as cheap. It is easy to point fingers at someone from a throne of wealth. It is entirely another being a struggling single parent.

**ncarr** · 02-19-2010, 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by leighcat

I didn't watch the video, but the comments were enough lol!
Cheap vs frugal usually goes by the income level of the person judging which is which. People with lower income probably would view most things as frugal that people with larger incomes would view as cheap. It is easy to point fingers at someone from a throne of wealth. It is entirely another being a struggling single parent.

I think this is a very valid point. A lot of this is relative to income and lifestyle choices.

**Siebrie** · 02-22-2010, 08:50 AM

I remember a dinner with a large group of former colleagues. I had arranged beforehand that I would pay my bill and then let the others decide what they would do with the rest of the bill. They knew I was living on my savings to get my University degree.

When it came to paying they 'forgot', and divided the bill equally for all of us. When I objected and just paid my part, I HALVED my bill. For them, it was just €1 extra each. I had a main dish and a glass of coke, they had specialty beers........ I sure wasn't paying for that! Thank goodness, though, that this was a group of colleagues I had known for a long time and got along well with. They did not mind my not-sharing.