Perfectly Practical #93 - Frugal vs. Cheap

Frugal is not cheap.  There are huge differences.

Here is my break down of Frugal vs. Cheap to illustrate the differences:

Frugal cares about value vs. Cheap cares about cost

Example:  If a frugal person was looking for a sofa, they would look for quality at a reduced price so that it would last.  If a cheap person was looking for a sofa, they would only look at the price tag - even though that would mean they would have to replace it sooner.  They don't want to spend the money now even though it means they will have to spend more money over time.

Frugal's actions affect themselves vs. Cheap's actions affect others

Example:  In Harrison County, it is a law to have your pets vaccinated for the safety of not only the vaccinated pet, but the people and pets in the area as well.  A frugal person will find out when a local vet's office gives reduced price vaccinations and have their pets vaccinated.  A cheap person won't get vaccinations at all for their pets because they don't want to spend the money. (Do you see a pattern?) 

Frugal provides for themselves vs. Cheap leeches off of others

Example:  If a frugal person wants to go out to eat, they plan for it in their budget. A cheap person also decides an amount they want to spend before they go out to eat.  The difference is that if they both have settled on say, $10 total, the frugal person will order something less than the $10 so that they can cover tax and tip.  The cheap person will order food up to the $10 amount and leave no tip.

Frugal is industrious vs. Cheap is lazy

Frugal finds the best ways to get the most out of a product or situation whereas cheap will wait for someone else to provide for them.

Frugal has concern for others vs. Cheap is selfish

Example:  Frugal couponers know that if they have no room for or cannot use an item they don't buy it even if it is free.  Cheap couponers will clear a shelf of an item if it is free whether they can use it or not.  Leaving nothing for another person who may actually use or need that product. 

Frugal is efficient vs. Cheap is idle

Frugal will work smarter, not harder, whereas cheap just won't work for something at all.


Has the frugal mindset penetrated your whole existence by now? No? That's okay, you'll get there. :) Set a goal of frugality. The lovely Kristin from Fiskerelli Bellies recently wrote about setting goals. I love what she said:

If you don't have a good reason to live frugally you won't do it. Period. End of sentence. The goal needs to:  "Be specific.  Be achievable.  Be agreed upon."

I couldn't have said it better myself.

This is the second in a series on becoming frugal in the New Year.  Here is the first post So, You Want to Be Frugal.


Thisis part of We Are That Family's Works for Me Wednesday.