There is a subtle difference between being frugal and being cheap. Understanding it is crucial. While frugality means being smart with money, being cheap suggests reducing expenses at the cost of quality.
Here are 13 signs suggesting you lean more towards cheapness than frugality.
Not Contributing Fairly in Group Settings
On group gifts or shared meals, you tend to contribute less than what is fair or look for ways to pay less. This habit can harm your relationships with others.
Always Buying Secondhand
You buy everything secondhand, regardless of whether new would be a better value. While buying used is often frugal, doing it always without considering any other factor can be considered cheap.
Neglecting Relationships to Avoid Spending
You avoid social gatherings and activities with friends to save money. Cheapness sacrifices social interactions to save money.
Ignoring Environmental Impact
You opt for cheaper products without considering their environmental impact. Real savings take into account the future environmental costs, not just the current price.
Avoiding Charitable Giving
You never contribute to charity or help others. Frugality does not mean holding back from helping. It means being wise about your resources while still being generous.
Poor Hygiene to Save Money
You cut corners on essential hygiene products to save money. Skimping on these basics can impact your health and well-being. This behavior is a sign of being cheap. Frugal people make health-conscious choices.
Sacrificing Safety to Save Money
You compromise on safety features in products or services to save money. Frugality never compromises on safety for the sake of saving a few dollars.
Overusing Coupons and Deals
You tend to buy items you don’t need just because they have coupons on them. Overusing coupons could be considered cheap. Frugality means saving money on necessary purchases, not buying because something is cheap.
Ignoring Essential Repairs
You postpone essential repairs on items like cars or home appliances. Avoiding needed repairs at home to save money is short-sighted. Skipping these can lead to bigger, more expensive problems later. This isn’t saving; it’s cutting corners.
Splitting Costs Unfairly
You always look for ways to pay less than your share in shared expenses. This behavior can put-off others. It is not about being smart with money but being stingy.
Extreme Couponing at Others Expenses
You engage in extreme couponing. You clear out shelves and exploit loopholes, affecting other shoppers. Frugality appreciates a good deal but respects the needs and rights of others too.
Cutting Corners on Gifts
You give low-effort or low-cost gifts, not out of creativity but to save money. When it comes to group gifts or shared meals, paying less than your share can strain friendships. This isn’t being careful with money; it’s being unfair.
Sacrificing Quality of Life
Your money-saving tactics reduce your quality of life. Frugality finds a balance between saving money and enjoying life. Cheapness sacrifices happiness and comfort to save a few cents.
