Bounce Energy Savings

You Know You're Cheap If…

By julianne, March 17, 2010, Personal Finance

I’ve looked online about the differences of being cheap and being frugal. It seems that frugality is more associated with being money-wise and cheapness has a negative connotation for refusing to spend any more money than what you’ve budgeted for yourself. The common similarity between being cheap and frugal is that both parties are concerned about saving money. Those that are cheap go about it a different way than those that are frugal.

Here are some jokes I’ve found online about what it means to be cheap:

• You know you’re cheap when your thermostat has to reach at least 80 degrees before you turn on your air conditioning. You know that electricity prices sky rocket during the summer and a big part of the bill is due to your air conditioner running. You do whatever is necessary to keep costs down.
• You know you’re cheap when your house is freezing in the winter because you refuse to turn on your heat. Your thermostat rule also applies for the colder months except in the opposite direction. Your heater is not only a main source for warmth but for cash outflow.
• You know you’re cheap if fast food is your idea of fine dining. You know every fast food chain’s dollar menu and isn’t ashamed of it.
• You know you’re cheap when your friends call you the coupon queen. You have more coupons than you can keep track of and they’re always popping out of your purse.
• You know you’re cheap if the people sitting next to you at restaurants are senior citizens. Your dinner is a very late lunch because you know that prices are cheaper than the regular dinner menu
• You know you’re cheap when you reuse paper towel rolls. You never let a paper towel that’s only been used once in the trash can. Paper towels are sturdy enough anyways, right?
• You go to restaurants and pretend it’s your birthday so you can get a free meal.
• You take a handful of condiments and napkins from fast food restaurants so you can stock up at home.
• You’ve eaten enough samples given away at grocery stores to consider it a meal.
• Your house is always dark because you refuse to turn the light on and waste electricity.
• You reuse disposable materials like plastic cups and plates so you get your money’s worth.

Being cheap is not necessarily a bad thing. I admit, I’ve done some of the things on this list. But there are other ways to save money that doesn’t involve stealing condiments from restaurants. Keep up with Bounce Energy Savings for the latest tips to make smart spending choices.

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Tags: cheap, frugal, jokes, money