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Cheap and frugal are not the same things. While some people use them interchangeably, they have a different meaning.
When you’re cheap, you look at prices, not value. On the other hand, frugal people look at value. I like to think I’m both in different scenarios.
To curate this list, we took inspiration from SoFi. Other signs came from my observations.
Here are 17 signs you’re too cheap, not just frugal.
Not Going to the Mechanic
Cars are expensive. The average American spends around $792 per year on maintenance. Sure, no one wants to spend $792, but not maintaining your car comes with consequences.
Cheap people don’t take their cars in for maintenance or repairs. Not doing so makes it worse. A simple oil change could turn into an even bigger headache with neglect.
Avoiding Doctor Visits
Doctor visits are no joke. Even for people with health insurance, the visits can be costly. Still, simple health problems can grow so much worse if you don’t stay on top of visits.
Frugal people understand this. They carefully schedule doctor visits instead of spending a bunch of money on over-the-counter medications. Would you rather pay for one doctor visit and some medication, or a hospital stay later on?
Not Buying Gifts
Gift-giving isn’t a requirement. No one is required to bring gifts to anniversaries, birthdays, welcome parties, or baby showers, but there is an expectation.
Cheap people will try to make any excuse in the book not to buy a gift. If they bring a gift, it’s usually a very cheap item. Frugal people instead focus on value. They buy valuable gifts, regardless of the price.
Skipping Out on Nights Out
Do you purposefully miss out on night outs and special events because you don’t want to spend money? If yes, then you might be too cheap, not frugal.
There is a difference between not having money, and not wanting to spend it. Cheap people will avoid going out to not ‘waste’ money. Frugal people will pick and choose experiences based on their value.
Being the Only One Not to Order
Not all cheap people stay clear from going out. Some people still go out but refuse to order anything. The rest of the group gets drinks or food, and they order water and sneak food off other people’s plates.
Another related sign you’re too cheap is that you calculate split bills precisely. Instead of rounding up or down, you split the bill to the penny.
Charging Friends for Every Little Thing
This was lightly mentioned above but deserves its own section. A sign you’re super cheap is charging your loved ones for everything.
For instance, buying a bag of chips, but asking your friend to pay half since they are eating it with you. Is $0.50 to $1.00 really worth it?
Not Flushing
Conserving water is important, but there are better ways. You don’t have to skip on flushing your toilet every day. If you find yourself limiting your flushes, you’re too cheap.
The numbers vary, but flushing less saves you less than $200 a year. Most plumbers believe not flushing is more costly because it can lead to mineral deposits. Plumbing repairs are not inexpensive.
DIY Gone Wrong
I love DIY. If I can fix it or make it, I will. But let’s face it, there are some things we can’t fix no matter how many YouTube tutorials we watch.
Cheap people though will try anyway, and sometimes cause even worse damage. You lose time and money! Leave the hard stuff to the experts.
Constantly Buying Low-Quality Clothes
I love a good deal just as much as the next person. But not all inexpensive clothes are made with good quality materials.
If you find yourself buying $10 work shoes every other month, instead of buying a pair for $50 that lasts years, you’re being too cheap. Act frugal and spend a little more for quality so you don’t spend too much buying low-quality shoes.
Hoarding Food You Don’t Like
Another sign you’re too cheap, not just frugal, is hoarding foods you don’t even like. You don’t have to accept everything someone gives you.
If someone is giving away 10 boxes of mac and cheese, but you’re lactose intolerant, maybe pass on the offer. Free isn’t always worth it. The food will sit in your pantry, growing old.
Not Tipping
The tipping culture is confusing. But generally, we’re expected to tip if we dine in with a server. If you’re not tipping, or tipping too low, this is a sign you’re cheap.
A decent tip starts at 10% and goes up. If you want to save money, skip eating out and cook yourself a restaurant-like dish.
Collecting Too Many Free Samples
Free samples are free. I’ve been guilty of making my rounds and grabbing two or three of the same free samples.
Still, if you find yourself doing this often, you’re being too cheap. It’s probably a good idea to leave some for the rest. But also, even frugal people take samples.
Returning Used Items
Shutterstock.
When it comes to clothing, frugal and cheap people act differently. Cheap people will buy a nice outfit and return it after the event is over.
So, what about frugal people? Frugal people will buy nice, high-quality clothes that can be used more than once. They find items with a lot of value and worth.
Complaining for a Discount
It’s hard to watch someone yell and complain to a worker. Most of the time, the people ringing up your items have no control over the prices.
You might be too cheap if you’re complaining about little things to the wrong people for a small discount. Is 10% off worth the embarrassment?
Borrowing Subscriptions
We all know someone like this. Instead of subscribing and creating their own accounts, they ‘borrow’ accounts from friends.
The same goes for Wi-Fi. If you are constantly trying to snag free Wi-Fi or Netflix access, you’re too cheap.
Stealing Small Things
Stealing is not worth it. It’s a crime. Imagine landing in hot water because you keep stealing pencils or staplers at work.
A sign you’re too cheap is you’re stealing small and simple things. These are items you probably won’t even use like copy paper. It also includes things like a coworker’s lunch.
Haggling for a Good Deal
Complaining about the quality for a discount is similar to this next sign. You’re too cheap if you can’t stop haggling down prices.
Large-name stores have set prices. No matter how much you try to haggle with management, they can’t change the cost. Frugal people pick their battles.
18 Ways to Save Without Sacrificing Life and Happiness
Do you want a new perspective on saving money? If you think this is another article telling you to skip your morning coffee or give up dining out, then let us tell you—it’s not! This blog post discusses 18 innovative and painless ways to save cash without sacrificing the things that make you happy. We believe that a good life isn’t about cutting back on everything you love but about making smarter decisions with what you have. So, if you’re ready to start saving without compromising your lifestyle or happiness, dive right in!
15 Smart Tips for Living Well on a Strict Budget
In today’s economy, strict budgeting has become a reality for many, sometimes involuntarily. With fast fashion and rapidly changing trends, temptations are on the rise. Mastering a budgeting mindset can empower a person to manage their finances responsibly. It’s a step towards achieving self-fulfillment while leaving room for some fun.
The 41 Biggest Wastes of Money
If you’re looking for ways to earn more money to put toward your goals, start by examining your spending habits. By tracking your spending and seeing where every dollar goes, you’ll likely find several instances of spending money you don’t have to. It could be little things that add up or recurring monthly expenses that are an utter waste of money.
Once you eliminate your bad spending habits, that money can go toward your emergency fund, paying off debt, or other essential things. Here are the 41 biggest wastes of money to look out for.
- Read More: The 41 Biggest Wastes of Money
