Cheap is one of those fuzzy philosophical concepts easily misapplied. Here are some standards from The Old Farmer’s Almanac Home Library Series: Home Wisdom that you can use to gauge your thriftiness.
I’m Frugal, You’re Stingy
Frugal: Drives 30 miles to save 25 cents on dishwashing detergent.
Stingy: Makes $80,000 a year and allows unemployed friends to pick up the restaurant tab.
Sparing: Reuses dental floss.
Economical: Buys super-duper-size jar of peanut butter. Uses rubber spatula to get last bit of peanut butter from jar.
Cheese-paring: Watches public TV all year; never donates.
Parsimonious: Gives free magazine subscription gift as wedding present.
Tightfisted: Has a lot of money but shampoos own rugs.
Skinflint: Tips 5 percent for good service.
For more fun facts, check out The 2014 Old Farmer's Almanac!
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