25 Clues That Point to Cheapness Rather Than Frugality

There is a subtle difference between being frugal and being cheap. Understanding it is crucial. While frugality means being smart with money, being cheap suggests reducing expenses at the cost of quality.

Here are 25 signs suggesting you lean more towards cheapness than frugality.

Skipping Out on Tipping

You do not tip at restaurants or tip well below the standard rate of 20 to 25% on the bill. This behavior shows hesitation in acknowledging the service you receive, and it can be considered an act of cheapness.

Reusing Disposable Items Excessively

You often wash and reuse disposable items like plastic forks and paper plates. It is good to be resourceful. However, reusing disposables meant for one-time use can signify cheapness and a possible health hazard.

Compromising on Quality for Low Price

You choose the cheapest option regardless of quality. This often leads to items that do not last, costing more in the long run. Frugality values quality that saves money over time, not upfront costs.

Avoiding Healthcare Expenses

You put off visiting the doctor or skip necessary medications to save money. Neglecting health to avoid spending is not wise. Investing in health is a wise choice to prevent more considerable expenses later.

Never Treating Friends or Family

You avoid your turn to pay when out with friends or family, constantly dodging the bill or never treating others. Not only can this strain relationships, but it also is cheapskate.

Wearing Worn Out Clothes

You continue to wear old or damaged clothes to avoid purchasing new ones. On the other hand, a frugal person would replace items when necessary. Wearing older or damaged clothes shows cheapness.

Haggling Inappropriately

You haggle over small amounts in inappropriate situations, like fixed-price stores. This behavior can show a lack of respect for fair pricing and business practices.

Not Valuing Your Time 

You spend excessive time and effort to save small amounts of money. Frugality respects the value of time; being cheap often overlooks this important factor.

Using Products Past Expiration

You use products like food or medication past their end dates to avoid wasting them. This can be dangerous and is not a sign of being frugal but cheap.

Regifting Repeatedly

You often re-gift items, even if they are not a good fit for the receiver. While regifting can be acceptable in some situations, overdoing it can indicate a lack of thoughtfulness. It is important to consider whether the gift is suitable for the person or not.

Skipping Basic Home Maintenance

You avoid necessary home maintenance to cut costs. These essential repairs are important to prevent more severe and costly issues later. This approach is not about being frugal. It is cheap.

Taking More Than Your Fair Share

You often take more freebies than necessary, such as hotel condiments or toiletries. Hoarding free items goes beyond being cheap.

Not Contributing Fairly in Group Settings

On group gifts or shared meals, you tend to contribute less than what is fair or look for ways to pay less. This habit can harm your relationships with others. 

Always Buying Secondhand

You buy everything secondhand, regardless of whether new would be a better value. While buying used is often frugal, doing it always without considering any other factor can be considered cheap.

Neglecting Relationships to Avoid Spending

You avoid social gatherings and activities with friends to save money.. Cheapness sacrifices social interactions to save money.

Ignoring Environmental Impact

You opt for cheaper products without considering their environmental impact. Real savings take into account the future environmental costs, not just the current price.

Avoiding Charitable Giving

You never contribute to charity or help others. Frugality does not mean holding back from helping. It means being wise about your resources while still being generous.

Poor Hygiene to Save Money

You cut corners on essential hygiene products to save money. Skimping on these basics can impact your health and well-being. This behavior is a sign of being cheap. Frugal people make health-conscious choices.

Sacrificing Safety to Save Money

You compromise on safety features in products or services to save money. Frugality never compromises on safety for the sake of saving a few dollars.

Overusing Coupons and Deals

You tend to buy items you don’t need just because they have coupons on them. Overusing coupons could be considered cheap. Frugality means saving money on necessary purchases, not buying because something is cheap.

Ignoring Essential Repairs

You postpone essential repairs on items like cars or home appliances. Avoiding needed repairs at home to save money is short-sighted. Skipping these can lead to bigger, more expensive problems later. This isn’t saving; it’s cutting corners.

Splitting Costs Unfairly

You always look for ways to pay less than your share in shared expenses. This behavior can put-off others. It is not about being smart with money but being stingy.

Extreme Couponing at Others Expenses

You engage in extreme couponing. You clear out shelves and exploit loopholes, affecting other shoppers. Frugality appreciates a good deal but respects the needs and rights of others too.

Cutting Corners on Gifts

You give low-effort or low-cost gifts, not out of creativity but to save money. When it comes to group gifts or shared meals, paying less than your share can strain friendships. This isn’t being careful with money; it’s being unfair.

Sacrificing Quality of Life

Your money-saving tactics reduce your quality of life. Frugality finds a balance between saving money and enjoying life. Cheapness sacrifices happiness and comfort to save a few cents.