Comments on: Frugal Or Cheap? Here’s A Test

By: Miser In Training

Miser In Training — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 00:37:26 +0000

27…I have always been somewhat of a penny pincher. I shop at Goodwill proudly, I have no idea what the difference is between Plasma and LCD, and HD is no more than a couple of letters. However, I am happy. Even if I had money to blow, I would still shop around. I hate feeling like I’ve been taken, so I will find the lowest price…always. From groceries to socks, and everything in between. I drive a 2000 Buick which runs great, and if I want to treat myself, I’ll get a pizza with the works. (I still go and pick it up though…why pay for delivery and tip??? LOL!!)

By: Joan Ferreira

Joan Ferreira — Mon, 10 May 2010 15:21:24 +0000

23… borderline frugal?

By: Paula Wethington / Monroe on a Budget

Paula Wethington / Monroe on a Budget — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:54:47 +0000

I scored 25. Now to respond to a previous comment … I don’t think single people HAVE to eat out more than married people. I didn’t eat out much when I was single. The trick is cooking much smaller amounts than the usual four-person “family size” and using the freezer to max out your food preservation. For example, split up a box of donuts with 3 or 4 to eat right away and freeze the rest.

By: Lis @ Ace Cash Express

Lis @ Ace Cash Express — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:25:17 +0000

23! Not frugal but I think I am like some of the people above. I agree with Cathryn Sykes, nice explanation about the traits of a frugal person. Frugality for me is being smart with managing your on resources, any resources including time and not just the money…

By: Bucksome

Bucksome — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 14:23:20 +0000

One point under frugal! If I had taken this last month before we bought our new 1080 HDTV, I would have made it.

Oh, well it gives me something to work towards.

By: LaurenS

LaurenS — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 14:50:38 +0000

I couldn’t agree with Cathryn Sykes anymore. According to your criteria, I’m cheap because I scored a 36. But I know I’m not cheap. I’m still wearing my $180 custom made boots from Greenshoes that I bought 11 years ago. I buy quality because I want it to last. I don’t drive a car. But that’s because I think that cars make people lazy and are killing the earth. I almost always purchase things second hand because most people are wasteful and what they give away is almost new. I also think that people are generally miserable and buy things to attempt to make themselves happy. A brand new TV would not make me happy and on the other hand, neither does my 13 year old TV make me happy. But we do like to watch movies, so this is why we have a TV. If I had debt incurred by purchasing a 1080 HDTV, that would make me unhappy. The fact that I have zero debt because I own a 13 year old TV makes me happy.

By: Cathryn Sykes

Cathryn Sykes — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 01:36:50 +0000

You’ve picked the wrong way to describe the difference between frugal and cheap. Its not a matter of how much you spend. Its why and how your spend.

There are two kinds of “cheap” people. One type is the person who will buy anything as long as it’s cheap enough, then brag about what a great bargain they got. The other person is the kind who’ll spend money on themselves, but not on anyone else. Example? The guy who buys himself a $50 dinner, then brags about picking a fight with the waiter so he didn’t have to leave a tip.

Frugal people don’t mind spending money, they just don’t like wasting it…and they think its a good idea to try your best to live within your means. They know that saving money and investing it is the key to a steadily improving lifestyle. They are creative in finding ways to enjoy life that don’t cost a lot of money. They set financial goals and work to achieve them, whether its sending the kids through college or saving for that trip around the world. They make purchases based on the true worth of what they’re buying, not on status or hype.

By: Angela A.

Angela A. — Wed, 28 May 2008 06:13:11 +0000

borderline cheap @ 34–but I’m sure there are still lots of things I could do to save money. the major ones (some extreme) would include:

1.) eat beans all the time
2.) grow my own salads and peppers
3.) take cold showers!–(don’t think i could ever give up hot showers though)
4.) get a roommate to share my large room–(and give up privacy?!!!?)

I’d save $300/mo or $3600 this way–not an insignificant sum! Am working on 1 & 2 but 3 & 4 would be my last resort. i know someone who’s doing #4 though, and she’s embarking on a trip around the world this summer.

By: Angela Henley

Angela Henley — Thu, 22 May 2008 14:23:12 +0000

linking your test to my blog the FRUGAL FREELANCER! thanks!

By: t

Mon, 19 May 2008 14:19:37 +0000

I scored a 21 and I am consider myself to be frugal. Perhaps I see myself in this light because I am around plenty of spendthrifts.