The difference between being cheap, and frugal has long been correlated with the number of zeros in your bank account. Unfairly, if you ask me.

Their definitions are quite a bit different.Cheap is defined as "costing very little; relatively low in price; inexpensive:" Where frugal is considered "economical in use or expenditure; prudently saving or sparing; not wasteful." So, let's give the term "cheap" the heave-ho, unless we're talking about one of my favorite bands, Cheap Trick. Frugal Trick doesn't roll off the tongue.

This came up this weekend, I was accused of being "cheap." It's not like I skimped on a tip, or anything like that. I simply didn't want to pay to inflate my left front tire a measley 6lbs at the gas station. I had a perfectly capable bicycle pump at home which could do the trick. You betcha that task was followed through, and saved myself a sweet $1.25 in the process. Hey, i've been at odds with gas station air for a while now, as you may have read on Facebook.

My girlfriend, confused by the sight, shook her head in disbelief as I chose this option. Me: "I'm not cheap, I'm being FRUGAL!"

What do YOU think?

 

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