Cheap vs. Frugal: 25 Differences People Noticed

In a world driven by money, cost-saving efforts are always welcome. Biking to work instead of driving, repurposing old clothes into pillowcases—these are smart, practical ways to cut costs. However, there’s a fine line between frugality and being a cheapskate. When budgeting starts to compromise health or safety, most people agree it crosses into the realm of being cheap.

So, when one Redditor asked, “When does frugal become cheap?” the internet had plenty to say. We sifted through the most popular responses and shared them in the gallery below.

Image source: Underhill86, Andrea Piacquadio

Frugality is about making the most of what you have. Being cheap, on the other hand, is refusing to do so when there’s an opportunity to cut corners even further.

Image source: anon, Alexandra Maria

Cheap: Buying the lowest-quality shoes just to save money.
Frugal: Investing in durable, high-quality shoes that last.
Neither: Owning a variety of shoes just to match different outfits.

Cheap: Eating expired food to avoid waste.
Frugal: Planning meals wisely so food doesn’t expire.
Neither: Ordering takeout without a second thought.

Cheap: Taking cold showers to cut costs.
Frugal: Showering normally while finding smarter ways to save.
Neither: Taking long, hot showers without concern for cost or efficiency.

Cheap: Avoiding dating or hobbies just to save money.
Frugal: Spending on things that genuinely bring joy and fulfillment.
Neither: Mindlessly spending on things you don’t enjoy or never doing anything at all.

Honestly, I don’t think frugal and cheap are even close. Frugality is about being intentional with your time and money—not just cutting costs for the sake of it.

Image source: anthonymakey, TLC

Exactly! Some of the people on Extreme Cheapskates take cost-cutting to such an extreme that they actually end up spending more in the long run. Worse, their obsession with saving money can negatively impact their own well-being—and even their kids’ quality of life. At that point, it’s no longer about being smart with money; it’s just self-imposed suffering. Frugality is about maximizing value, not just minimizing spending at any cost.

Image source: Emotional_Ice, Tima Miroshnichenko

That’s beyond cheap—that’s just cruel. Forcing kids to eat cereal with water instead of milk? That’s not saving money; that’s depriving them of basic comfort and nutrition. And turning off the pilot light on the water heater? Sounds like he was more focused on hoarding pennies than on his family’s well-being. There’s a difference between being mindful with money and making life unnecessarily miserable.

Image source: anon, Anna Shvets

Exactly! Being frugal is about knowing where to save and where to spend.

I’ll buy store-brand groceries, but some things—like ketchup—have to be the real deal.

Costco toilet paper? Absolutely. But if it’s that thin, sandpaper-like 2-ply, I’m upgrading.

And sheets? 1200 thread count, no question. You spend a third of your life in bed—comfort is worth the investment.

Frugality is about smart choices, not unnecessary sacrifices.

Image source: dayankuo234, Kaboompics.com

Exactly! Budget means getting the best value for your money, while cheap means sacrificing quality just to pay less.

Example:

Budget: Socks for $1 a pair that last for years.
Cheap: Socks for $0.33 a pair that wear out in months and feel awful to wear.

Paying a little more upfront for quality saves money (and frustration) in the long run. The goal isn’t just to spend less—it’s to spend smart.

Image source: OokLeeNooma, Artem Beliaikin

Exactly! If something costs half as much but doesn’t even last half as long, you’re not saving money—you’re just buying junk more often. True frugality is about getting the best lifespan and value for your dollar, not just picking the lowest price.

Image source: MuyLeche, Gary Barnes

Exactly! Frugality is about making smart, practical choices, while cheapness is going to absurd lengths just to save a few bucks.

Frugal: Buying store-brand coffee or cutting out daily coffee runs to save money.
Cheap: Driving 30 minutes to a motel just to grab free lobby coffee.

At some point, the time, effort, and even gas money wasted just isn’t worth it. If you’re jumping through ridiculous hoops for tiny savings, you’re not being frugal—you’re just being cheap.

Image source: DaCrazyJamez, Yan Krukau

That’s a perfect way to put it!

Frugal: Making thoughtful choices to get the best value for your money.
Cheap: Making irrational sacrifices just to avoid spending, even when it costs you more in the long run.

Spending wisely is smart. Avoiding spending at all costs, even to your own detriment? That’s just dumb.

#10

Image source: sauerkrautfan, Mikhail Nilov

Exactly! Frugality is about being mindful of your own spending, while cheapness starts to negatively impact others.

Frugal: Setting a budget, ordering within your means, and still contributing to the celebration with a small gift and a thoughtful card.

Cheap: Ordering the cheapest thing on the menu while loudly complaining about prices, making the event uncomfortable for everyone, and possibly skipping a gift altogether.

Being smart with money is great, but when your choices take away from someone else’s experience, that’s when frugality crosses into cheapness.

#11

Image source: behold_the_pagentry, Kim Stiver

That’s the perfect distinction—being frugal is a personal choice, but being cheap starts to affect relationships.

It’s one thing to be mindful of your spending in daily life, but completely ignoring birthdays, anniversaries, or milestones? That’s when it stops being about saving money and starts looking like you just don’t care.

And that guy at your job? Classic example of cheap. Refusing to chip in a measly $2 per paycheck but happily taking advantage of the benefits? That’s not frugal—that’s just selfish. When saving money comes at the expense of fairness, generosity, or basic social courtesy, it’s not smart—it’s just being that guy.

#12

Image source: wellok456, Nathan Cowley

That’s a perfect way to define it!

Frugality is about balance—cutting costs while still maximizing value, whether that’s quality, comfort, or long-term benefits. It’s a thoughtful, calculated approach that considers more than just price.

Cheapness is about cost above all else, even at the expense of things that should matter—relationships, health, hygiene, and basic decency. It’s a short-sighted approach that ignores intangible but important values just to save a few bucks.

Frugality is smart decision-making. Cheapness is just tunnel vision on price, often to your own (or others’) detriment.

#13

Image source: karebear66, Liza Summer

Exactly!

Frugal: Finding the best value—spending wisely without wasting money.
Cheap: Prioritizing the lowest price, even if it means buying low-quality junk.

Frugality is about making smart, cost-effective choices. Cheapness is just about spending as little as possible, no matter the consequences.

#14

Image source: crazycatlady331, Gera Cejas

Spot on!

Frugal: Choosing to eat at home to save money.
Cheap: Eating out but refusing to tip the server, making someone else pay for your savings.

Frugality is about managing your own expenses wisely. Cheapness is when your cost-cutting negatively impacts others.

#15

Image source: stusic, Paul Stam

Exactly!

Frugal: Making thoughtful purchases to get the best value for your money.
Cheap: Always choosing the lowest price, regardless of quality or long-term cost.

Frugality is about smart spending. Cheapness is just spending less, no matter the consequences.

#16

Image source: Jmkott, Getty Images

Exactly!

Frugal: Optimizing your thermostat and water heater settings for efficiency while still staying comfortable.
Cheap: Turning off the heat and hot water completely, making life miserable just to save a few bucks.

Frugality is about smart cost-cutting. Cheapness is about unnecessary sacrifice.

#17

Image source: Zerthax, Mizzu Cho

Exactly! Frugality is about smart savings, but when it starts to compromise health, safety, or fairness, it crosses into cheapness.

✔ Frugal: Buying quality food on sale, meal planning to avoid waste.
❌ Cheap: Eating expired food or skimping on nutrition to save money.

✔ Frugal: Using energy-efficient heating methods.
❌ Cheap: Turning off the heat entirely, risking illness.

✔ Frugal: Splitting a bill fairly.
❌ Cheap: Dodging your share and making others cover for you.

If saving money harms you or inconveniences others, it’s no longer smart—it’s just cheap.

#18

Image source: sanfranchristo, Ono Kosuki

Exactly! Time is a resource just like money, and if you’re spending too much time just to save a few bucks, you’re not being frugal—you’re being cheap.

✔ Frugal: Comparing prices for a few minutes to find the best deal.
❌ Cheap: Driving across town to save $1 on groceries, wasting an hour and gas money.

✔ Frugal: Doing some DIY projects to save money when it makes sense.
❌ Cheap: Spending hours fixing something that a professional could have handled quickly for a reasonable price.

Frugality is about efficiency—maximizing both your money and your time. If saving a dollar is costing you an hour, you’re not saving—you’re just losing time you’ll never get back.

#19

Image source: Flashy_Sleep3493, Anna Shvets

Exactly!

✔ Frugal: Prioritizing spending on what truly matters to you while cutting costs on things that don’t.
❌ Cheap: Always choosing the lowest price, no matter the value or situation.

Frugality is intentional—you spend wisely where it counts and save where it doesn’t. Cheapness is mindless—you just refuse to spend, even when it makes sense.

#20

Image source: p38-lightning, Mike Bird

Exactly!

✔ Frugal: Buying quality tires on sale, ensuring safety while saving money.
❌ Cheap: Driving on bald tires to avoid spending, putting yourself and others at risk.

Frugality is about smart savings without sacrificing safety or practicality. Cheapness is cutting costs at the expense of common sense.