There is a thin line between practical frugality and being a cheapskate. But because everyone has a different definition for these two concepts, the distinction will depend on who you ask.
That’s why it’s no surprise that a Reddit thread from a year ago discussing these differences received a flood of responses. A user simply asked, “When does ‘frugal’ become ‘cheap’?”
Some commenters narrowed it down using the fundamental idea of needs versus wants. Others based their responses on how such behaviors affect other people.
#1
A frugal person doesn't want to waste money. A cheap person doesn't want to spend it.
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85points
#2
Buying tires when they're on sale is frugal. Riding around on bald tires is cheap.
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48points
#3
It becomes cheap if it impacts health or safety, or is done at someone else's expense.
40points
#4
Frugality is spending good but fair money on what’s important to you, and scrimping on what isn’t.
Cheap is paying the least amount, regardless of importance or circumstances, across the board.
Cheap is paying the least amount, regardless of importance or circumstances, across the board.
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37points
#5
Cheap is mean. Frugal is being careful. Cheap is unkind to yourself and others. Frugal is careful respect for your resources.
34points
#6
Frugal ain't cheap. You have to have money to be frugal.
Frugal is paying $400 for a pair of boots that will last 10 years instead of $100 for a pair that will last one.
That's why being poor can be so expensive.
Frugal is paying $400 for a pair of boots that will last 10 years instead of $100 for a pair that will last one.
That's why being poor can be so expensive.
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33points
#7
Cheap is turning off your heat and hot water. Frugal is finding the most efficient way method and temps to keep heat and hot water comfortable.
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31points
#8
When it affects other people. Being frugal is eating at home instead of eating out. Being cheap is eating out and stiffing the server (US).
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25points
#9
When it costs you time—which has no price. At some point, shopping around or not wanting to pay for things in order to do them yourself can cost you more in time than it's worth.
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22points
#10
My husband says I’m cheap because I refuse to get an uber in nice weather and will ride my bicycle 40 minutes to an appointment instead. I call that healthy and frugal. He offered to pay for it and I still can’t, just on principle. This is on a day where I have plenty of time to get there and back.
22points
#11
Frugal is spending your money wisely. Cheap is always buying the lowest-priced item.
21points
#12
This is how I delineate between the two:
Frugality is minimizing cost/resources while maximizing benefit. These can be quality, comfort, etc. Generally it is a mix of all the things you value in life. Frugality is a calculated net benefit.
Cheap you are minimizing cost at the expense of everything else. This may negatively impact things that should matter to you like relationships, health, hygiene, being a good neighbor, etc. It is only a net benefit if you look at price and ignore everything else of a more intangible value.
Frugality is minimizing cost/resources while maximizing benefit. These can be quality, comfort, etc. Generally it is a mix of all the things you value in life. Frugality is a calculated net benefit.
Cheap you are minimizing cost at the expense of everything else. This may negatively impact things that should matter to you like relationships, health, hygiene, being a good neighbor, etc. It is only a net benefit if you look at price and ignore everything else of a more intangible value.
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19points
#13
Frugal is being smart about the money you spend. Cheap is being stupid about the money you don't.
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19points
#14
The show "Extreme Cheapskates" has entered the chat. Some of those people spend more trying to save money and really affect their and their children's quality of life.
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16points
#15
Budget vs cheap. low price vs low price AND low quality. you don't want something with low quality.
e.g. budget socks $1 a pair that lasts a few years, vs cheap uncomfortable socks $0.33 a pair that get holes after a few months.
e.g. budget socks $1 a pair that lasts a few years, vs cheap uncomfortable socks $0.33 a pair that get holes after a few months.
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13points
#16
I recently read something about this:
Frugal is when it has to do with you (going to thrift stores for example) but cheap has to do with other people (you drink much more than everyone else at a restaurant and when the bill comes you don’t contribute more money, you don’t even offer).
Frugal is when it has to do with you (going to thrift stores for example) but cheap has to do with other people (you drink much more than everyone else at a restaurant and when the bill comes you don’t contribute more money, you don’t even offer).
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12points
#17
The moment I made my bridesmaids pay for their own coffee at my wedding dress shopping trip. My mom's face said it all - I'd gone too far. Still feel awful about that one.
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12points
#18
Frugal means to me getting a good value without overspending. Cheap is just getting c**p things and paying as little as possible.
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11points
#19
When it starts to bleed into relationships. Like gifts for kids birthdays, not acknowledging special occasions like anniversaries, birthdays, etc. I choose to be frugal in my own life, but I also budget for gifts for friends and family.
Also, we have a thing in work where people voluntarily give up 2 dollars per pay period. It goes into an account and we use it for little parties, BBQ's, gifts/flowers for employees who had a baby or lost a loved one etc. Had 1 guy out of prob 80 of us who said no. When the Xmas party or the BBQ rolls around he's right there with a plate. When you do the math, over the course of a year, its like $0.07 a day to not look like a jerk.
Also, we have a thing in work where people voluntarily give up 2 dollars per pay period. It goes into an account and we use it for little parties, BBQ's, gifts/flowers for employees who had a baby or lost a loved one etc. Had 1 guy out of prob 80 of us who said no. When the Xmas party or the BBQ rolls around he's right there with a plate. When you do the math, over the course of a year, its like $0.07 a day to not look like a jerk.
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11points
#20
I think if you’re jumping through an insane amount of hoops to save a couple dollars is when it becomes cheap. Like being frugal to me is buying homebrew store-brand coffee versus a daily Starbucks, or cutting out coffee daily. Cheap would be hitting the motel 30 minutes away for their lobby coffee because it’s free.
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11points