Frugal or cheap?

[Jungle]

I don't think it was cheap- legit question. If that large box is a rip off so you are just asking for a better way to carry all that xl coffee. But then I am too cheap to buy coffee from Tim Horton's period when I can brew at home for 12 cents or whatever it costs.

[Plugging Along]

I have a similar situation which left me perplexed. I purchased a burger at Burger King for $1.58. The counter girl took my $2 and I was digging for my change when I pulled 8 cents from my pocket and gave it to her. She stood there, holding the nickel and 3 pennies, while looking at the screen on her register. I sensed her discomfort and tried to tell her to just give me two quarters, but she hailed the manager for help. While he tried to explain the transaction to her, she stood there and cried...


After some thought I realized it was a breakdown in the education system and the evolution of new math and calculators.


1. Teaching Math In 1970s

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit ?


2. Teaching Math In 1980s

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?


3. Teaching Math In 1990s

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit ?Yes or No


4. Teaching Math In 2000s

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20

5. Teaching Math In 2010s

A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers, and if you feel like crying, it's ok).

Plus whatever, loved this

[avrex]

+1 londoncalling

[Financial Cents]

+10 londoncalling. Could be reply of the year

[Articuno]

To me "cheap" is when you make a purchase based on cost alone, or knowingly sacrifice quality for the sake of cost. This is particularly a negative thing when you do it consciously and when other people will suffer from the lack of quality, ie. buying a junky gift for someone.

Frugality on the other hand is the act of balancing all your needs to make the best possible purchase. Perhaps the amount of time, research or consideration put into a purchase is key to calling someone "frugal".

There is quite likely some overlap of the terms as cost is a major factor in decision making for many people, but I believe frugal purchases can be very expensive too.

[Ponderling]

On the office coffee front, we have two different floors with a keurig type thing we run for $0.25 per cup.

When we host office social commitee functions ( read young employee retention measures ) we found we were buying 5 or 6 of the Tim'scoffee boxes, and the costs were getting crazy.

I put the eye out for a longer term solution, and found it at a garage sale where I found a large coffee perc of the type you would see after church functions in the 70's.

Now we spend $20 or more on a bag of premium bean, have it gound for perc, up to a few weeks in advance, and set it up the night before.

Have someone who comes in early turn the thing on if needed at breakfast meeting.

Now at social functions the line forms around this old time coffee machine to get the upscale java, and we save about $100 per event in doing so.

[Addy]

Who cares if it is being cheap? I regularly tell people I am cheap, and I'm not ashamed of it in the least. I grew up relatively poor (relative to the average Canadian family) and the money I have earned over the years is my money to spend, and save, as I see fit. If I am spending money somewhere and think there's a chance I could get a discount, I will ask and to heck with anyone who thinks negatively of me asking a question.

I think more people should start being 'cheap' because it would mean they would have less consumer debt.

[YYC]

If you were standing in front of me in line at the Timmy's I would be annoyed at you. Either order/buy from their menu or take your business elsewhere. The Tim Horton's menu does not say "prices negotiable" on it.

[Addy]

If you were standing in front of me in line at the Timmy's I would be annoyed at you. Either order/buy from their menu or take your business elsewhere. The Tim Horton's menu does not say "prices negotiable" on it.

I'm not sure if you're joking, but it only takes a few seconds to ask a question, so if that is what it takes to annoy you then the world must be very annoying to you.

[heyjude]

On the office coffee front, we have two different floors with a keurig type thing we run for $0.25 per cup.

When we host office social commitee functions ( read young employee retention measures ) we found we were buying 5 or 6 of the Tim'scoffee boxes, and the costs were getting crazy.

I put the eye out for a longer term solution, and found it at a garage sale where I found a large coffee perc of the type you would see after church functions in the 70's.

Now we spend $20 or more on a bag of premium bean, have it gound for perc, up to a few weeks in advance, and set it up the night before.

Have someone who comes in early turn the thing on if needed at breakfast meeting.

Now at social functions the line forms around this old time coffee machine to get the upscale java, and we save about $100 per event in doing so.

This makes absolute sense. I would never buy one of those coffee makers that requires ongoing purchases of individual portions. That's where the profits are. It's just like inkjet printers: cheap, until you have to pay for the cartridges again and again!