I think my definition of cheap vs frugal is best explained with an example-
Cheap: Stays at a 2-star hotel because it's cheap.
Frugal: Stays at a 5-star hotel on sale for a 3-star price because it's good value (not necessarily the cheapest option)
Which one are you?
depending whom I am with
Wife - Cheap
Side chick- lavish
Family Court of Australia - Frugal
Family Court of Australia
Frugal - Husband
Lavish - Wife
It’s a very subjective opinion. Most people wouldn’t admit to be ‘cheap’ but then, by your standards, someone who thinks they are frugal you will think is cheap
Also, I’m not cheap. I’m smart!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oSzgCDIUzq0
I like nice things and I'm very particular. I don't mind spending in general, but no point spending more than I have to to get something.
I call myself cheap, I like the label. But I guess by dictionary definition hair splitting, it's frugal.
Those options both suggest it's a choice. I'm neither. I'm poor. If I were wealthy you better believe I wouldn't spend time thinking about how to save half price on my breakfast cereal or hang out for a deal on an appliance in an ugly colour.
I'm poor.
Student? A lot of people go through it. It's a character-building thing! haha
I'm poor
Why? You have qualifications.
I like to save money on some stuff, to feel better about splashing it elsewhere
Don't mind spending when its worth it. Been burnt a few times "cheaping out" and the proverb is true "the poor man pays twice".
Happy to be fortunate enough to make such choices as I know others may not have the luxury.
Depends on the situation and purpose.
I’m probably 30% frugal and 70% cheap. Depends what it is.
Some things you can cheap on, some things you can't. A lot of cheap stuff is cheap for a reason, and it comes with "hidden cost", ie. Breaking down early so you gotta spend double.
2 star "hotel" sounds like torture though, given how bad I've seen some 3 and 4 stars are. Is it a holiday if you're staying in a dumpster?
Probably more frugal than cheap.
I don't have any aversion to spending money on quality goods or things that I derive enjoyment from (ex: choosing to drive a nice car instead of a clapped Camry).
I will put that extra bit of effort in to wait for price drops, stack coupons with discounted gift cards and do whatever it takes to convince myself that I got a bargain.
Cheap but not that cheap? I usually stay at 3-star on sale at 2-star price.
I feel I'm both really. Frugal all the time but I also don't like buying most things in general as I often find pricing is above my 'reasonable' level.
So then that would make me act cheap at times, rather than frugal.
Eg pasta. I'll buy nicer pasta when on sale but if it's all full price then I'll either not buy pasta or buy a cheap brand.
When I'm travelling, the quality of the places I stay is pretty important. I consider the hotel a significant part of the travel experience. I know some people (like my girlfriend!) just consider it a place to sleep/crash, and always book the cheapest place available. But I like to do research, read reviews, look at photos, etc.
People like this baffle me. Usually people who see a hotel as "just a place to crash" see the plane ride as "just to get you from A > B". So what part of the holiday do they actually enjoy then? The whole thing is the experience and I don't want to stay in a lumpy double bed with questionable hygiene lol
I'm Chrugal
Hi Chrugal, I’m Freap.
I'm frugal.
I've found that people who are cheap are usually not that smart about it and end up paying in other ways either through their time or long term issue.
For example buying cheap shoes that need replacing every 6 months vs a higher upfront cost.
Or as a perfect example my neighbours who moved out wanted to cheap out and not use a moving company so rather than pay the few hundred there, they spent a month moving out with dozens of car rides, using a huge amount of fuel, time and effort.
I've found that people who are cheap are usually not that smart about it and end up paying in other ways either through their time or long term issue.
100%, I had to overcome that hurdle myself. Had nothing growing up so I was very tight with whatever little I had but only a few years back did I realise that i was losing out on dollars in my pursuit of saving pennies which was stoping me from growing in life.
I think a lot of people could benefit from this message.
How did they move a fridge in a car?
Never said they had a fridge to move?
The apartment was being passed to their family member so they left all the big stuff.
Dozens of car rides
They must have been hoarders
Moved my fridge (not too big, around 420L) with my old KIA Rondo many years ago. With backseats lay flat it's actually not hard, and I am guessing it's the same with other wagons / SUVs. Carry it all the way to the 3rd floor apartment is something else though…
Brave. I had TGG delivery guys refuse to deliver brand-new white goods to my 3rd floor walk-up & told me that they're leaving them in the foyer as they weren't paid enough to schlep it up 3 flights of stairs! I had to call the store & make a fuss to finally get them to deliver the items into the apartment.
Accor 1 star hotels have no limit what you put onto their wifi network.
The more stars the less devices they will allow.
Park outside 5 star caravan parks and swim in the ocean!
cheap bro - edit: cheap, bro.
I'm your typical ABC. Frugal to a fault with money yet happy to haemorrhage cash to keep up with the Chans (also known as kia su).
Spending a 1/2 day tracking down a bulk billing GP who will see new patients… is that cheap or frugal?
Cheap if it's too far and realistically not worth going regularly…frugal if that becomes your usual gp. Also… almost every gp bulk bills in Western Sydney.
Everyone has stopped or is phasing out over the next few months here :( I just wanted some amoxicillin without the $40 pre purchase fee
Frugal?
Invest into a fountain of youth.
Profit from BOQ
Become a vegetarian
Take up residence inside Woolies?
Where applicable, frugal. I often buy items based on the expected lifetime that I want to use them or with resale in mind.
I’m over dealing with low-quality cheap items which provide a sub par experience. I’m also moving away from impulse buys or items that don’t fit my use case exactly.
To me, frugal is thinking long-term and spending money where it's worth it. For things that I'm going to use often, I want good quality items that will last and are a joy to use. For things that are going to be used rarely, or if I'm unsure, I'm happy to buy cheap items.
For instance, I recently purchased a $40 knife. It's just the right size for me (bigger than my previous ones, but smaller than a chef's), super sharp and makes cutting a breeze. It's replacing one that was $2.80, which still worked and I used but was dull.
On the other hand, sewing supplies I'll often cheap out on. Not worth spending lots of money when I'm still learning and not sure yet what items I'll end up using regularly.
I'm learning to be frugal instead of cheap.
definitely Frugal, its in my name …
I'll eat off Royal Doulton plates daily cause I got them on a factory clearance sale and can't stand them being in the cupboard and not used, as that's not good value.
I am cheap with some things and lavish with others. And this can change depending whom I am with, or my mood.