Was Andy Being Cheap or Frugal?
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?