Are you Frugal or Cheap Quiz

Dearest frugalites, I have a deep apology to extend to you.  In the past I've used the terms cheap and frugal interchangeably; yet the longer I think about what those two words mean, the more I realize they are definitely not synonymous.  Both tend to suggest a vague idea about spending less, but they really are polar opposites.  Cheap is the ugly, tawdry stepsister of virtuous Frugal.  Whereas one indicates being economical in the use of money and resources, the other is just plain stingy.

Taking it farther down the semantic path, cheap not only means relatively low in cost but of poor quality, devalued, worthy of no respect, or vulgar.  We need to part ways with Cheap as quickly as possible.  Frugal, on the other hand, is meager, resourceful, avoiding waste, and sparing--all lovely and gracious words.  To be frugal is to be wise with what you have.  

Why go for frugal rather than cheap?  When we evaluate every dollar spent with a bottom line anchored to it, our goal becomes "spend as little as possible, at all costs".  This means you cut the tip short for your waiter.  You mooch off leftovers from a group lunch.  Anything for a dollar is a "good" deal.  Giving gifts and to charity become burdens as they won't (in most tax brackets) save you any money nor benefit you in any way.  This way of life, my friends, is not thrify, it's revolting.

If your desire to be cheap, many areas of life will be shortchanged.  I admit to not visiting the doctor when I should have in the name of saving money.  Very stupid, not frugal.  And I know everyone has regifted an item to someone we know wouldn't appreciate it; some of us even make it a habit.  Although I haven't sunk to stashing away fifty ketchups in my purse for tomorrow night's meatloaf, if I pledge allegiance to cheap I'll succumb to it eventually.  

Living a frugal lifestyle means being considerate to what you use and how you spend your money.  My resources, talents, and time have been given to me for a reason.  To hoard or spend for my exclusive sake is a very sad, Scroogey existence.  When I recycle leftovers or buy in bulk to save money I then open up doors to send money for folks who legitimately can't afford food.  Buying produce in season is not only cheaper but also supports local growers and reduces food mileage.  Living within your means is far more comfortable than the gray, puritanical images frugality seems to invoke.  

Are you Frugal or Cheap Quiz
So we have several choices to make.  Are you frugal or cheap?  Take the following quiz and read your results below.

1. You're going to your friend's birthday party and didn't want to buy wrapping paper at a staggering $3.99 for three yards.  Do you...
    a. ...give the gift to your friend and apologize for not wrapping it?
    b. ...wrap it in old newspaper and reuse ribbon to decorate it?

2. Times are tough and you can't afford to pay for home Internet.
    a.  Use the computer at work.  Everyone else does it, right?
    b.  Head to the library for free access.

3. When visiting a restaurant, you...
    a. ...order take out to avoid impulse buys and tips.
    b. ...eat in and give less (or nothing) to your server.  Your service wasn't that great anyway.

4. When Fido needs his yearly shots I...
    a. ...go to a shelter and stand in the long line for discount vaccinations.
    b. ...wait a few months since he's an inside dog anyway.

5. You need toothpaste, or so your friends keep telling you.
    a. Buy it at a garage sale to save a couple of bucks.
    b. Buy it on sale at the grocery store.  

6.  After 3,000 miles roll around on the car, you...
    a. ...let it ride another few hundred miles.  Those oil change places are just out         for my money.  
    b. ...get it changed immediately to save on future engine repairs.

7. If I have extra money at the end of the month I like to...
    a. ...save every penny.  Make hay while the sun shines.
    b. ...look to giving some of it to people in genuine need before saving the rest.

This is a pass/fail test, no percentage points awarded.  If you answered 1 a., 2 a., 3 b., 4 b., 5 a., 6 a., or 7 a., consider yourself cheap, not frugal--you failed.  Thankfully you have the option to choose between the two, but consider your money as a resource rather than a storehouse to stock at all costs.  Let's focus on smart spending in addition to not spending.  Go Frugal, not Cheap.