Frugal or Just Plain Cheap?

We recently did a lesson about being frugal. Now, some might say that being frugal is really the same thing as being cheap, but I don't think so, and I will attempt to explain why in this blog. I have been frugal for most of my adult life, and I would venture to say it is hereditary, meaning it is in my blood. My grandmothers were both extremely generous with me but also pretty careful with their money, i.e. frugal. I grew up clipping coupons and organizing them for both my grandmother and my mother. It is a trait I still keep alive as I am an avid coupon user. Now if I could just figure out the organizational part I would really make my mother proud.

I have wrestled with the idea that I am too frugal or, in all honesty, that I am really cheap. Most of my friends are extremely generous with their money. Truth be told, I think that most of my friends make more money than I do. I have always been careful with my money and try to spend it wisely. I save as much as possible because you never know when an emergency might strike. This fear of emergencies of mine seems a little bit of paranoia at times. If I feel like I am spending too much, then I start to panic and make myself go on spending freezes.

Now, to get to the heart of what it means to be frugal. For me, it is a way of life because I don’t know any better. I have excluded myself from activities or events that I feel are too expensive because of my frugality. I have denied items that I feel are too expensive and have returned more than my fair share of items if I find the same item for a cheaper price. This is how I am frugal. Is it a bad thing?  I suppose in some ways, it prevents me from enjoying some things in life, but on the other hand, I am very good with my money and I never spend beyond my means. I always say if I win the lottery, then I will buy everyone I know fabulous things but until that day I am going to continue to save my money and spend wisely. Perhaps I am deluding myself and I am really just cheap, but I live a pretty good life. Maybe just maybe, I have my frugal ways to thank.