Frugal or Cheap?

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Today is Frugal Friday at Biblical Womanhood. I am sorry I do not have the official logo of the day, but I am not at home on my own computer. I am in Maine at my daughter's home and having a great time with the grand kids here.
We all love to save money and call ourselves frugal, but sometimes we need to be careful. Frugal and cheap are different. Saving money can be good or bad. Let me explain.
I give this as a warning from the many mistakes I made over the years gone by. Cheap can be bad. When in the name of frugality we buy cheap we may end up paying more in the end.
I no longer grab because it is cheap. I look for the items I want, price them at different places, see if I can get them, in good shape, at thrift or other lower cost means, but I try not to let go of quality. I get the best I can for what I can afford.
How many times have you found something cheap only to find it shrinks, breaks, doesn't work etc? That vacuum at the great price, and no longer picked up the dirt after a month. I had one go in 3 weeks! Great price though!
Or that darling shirt at Joe's Bargain Barn, wear it once and it no longer fits.
Shopping by "cheap" will end up costing more in the end. We can be frugal, save money, but not become cheap. Be wise in your frugality. Make choices that will not cost more in the end. Shop wise, store things wisely, and be sure your bargains are needs and quality.
For more Frugal ideas, go to Biblical Womanhood!

6 comments:

Edi said...

I know just what you mean!

A couple months ago I purchased a "bed in a bag" set (comforter, pillow cases, sheets). I thought I was getting a great deal b/c it was "half off".

First time I washed them - the fitted sheet came apart from the elastic in one corner. The sheet quality felt so thin that every time I went to pull the sheet up on me, I was worried I was going to TEAR it!

I finally took the sheets off my bed b/c I could not stand the cheap feel and look to them.

I sure wish I had gone for something more expensive!

Unknown said...

My mom always told me to find better quality, because it will save you in the long run.

I find if I just buy the things I love, I also buy less. You don't always need to buy it just because it's cheap.

Good call!

Little Natural Cottage said...

What a great reminder... cheap and frugal are definitely not the synonamous. I've found this to be very true in purchasing clothing- I can spend more on "cheap" clothes that wear out quickly, or shop thrift stores and actually buy "expensive" clothing (that lasts) for much less! Our little girls wear a lot of name brand clothing and friends are amazed at what I paid (or didn't pay) for them!

Vanessa said...

It's so true. There are some things in our house that were kind of expensive when we bought them but have truly been the bargain in the long run.

I love your page graphics. They're so cute!

happygeek said...

Good reminder!

Anonymous said...

Great reminder, thanks! Sometimes I get so caught up in saving money I fall into the cheap trap too. There are some things that it is just better to go with quality on.

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