fru⋅gal /ˈfrugəl/ [froo-guhl]: economical in use or expenditure; prudently saving or sparing; not wasteful

cheap [cheep]: stingy; miserly

Something that bothers me is when someone uses the word ‘cheap’ and ‘frugal’ interchangeably. I am a frugal person, and proudly so. I am not cheap, and when I sometimes cross the slim border between the two words (it does happen), I am not proud of myself.

There are things that cheap people do that I find unforgivable. I want to share a few of these to further express the difference between being frugal, or smart with your money, and being cheap, or stingy with your money. And yes, these are all real examples I have either read off of other people’s blogs, comments, or witnessed in real life.

1. Submitting rebates for “full satisfaction guaranteed or your money back” products when you were completely satisfied by the product; this throws marketers and retailers off because they typically want to figure out what is wrong with their product, and use feedback (positive or negative) as a way to do this. Plus, it is just dishonest.
2. Using a Buy-One-Get-One-Free meal coupon, and making the other person pay for their meal (i.e. you get your meal for free).
3. Taking only half or less of the medication you are prescribed in order to save money (this one is courtesy of my late grandfather).
4. Eating from the salad or soup bar in Whole Foods or any other store without paying for it (personally witnessed at Whole Foods).
5. Sitting in a non-public location (like a Starbuck’s, McDonald’s, etc.) to use the internet without purchasing anything.

What do you find unforgivable?