I stumbled across an article in the Chicago Tribune titled There’s smartly frugal … and then there’s just cheap, where the author discusses some folks who are not only cheap, but complete jerks. People who I believe will have karma come back too bite them in the butt! Here is an excerpt from the article about a real loser:
Jane: We attended the county fair. He insisted we go in the exit to avoid paying the entrance fee. The few times we went out to eat, he told me he wasn’t hungry and had us split a sandwich. I never once got my own dinner. He would also steal the ketchup and mustard packets off the table in restaurants.
Jane’s boyfriend is obviously cheap, and not frugal in any way. He is what I call a “frugal fun suck”. He takes all the fun out of saving money, and ends up making somebody elses life experience worse because of it. You see, I am a big believer in keeping good karma. Doing the right thing when you know that nobody is looking. Easy to say but often hard to do. Here are a few ways that my wife and I try to practice ”frugal karma”:
- Pass It On. Share books, movies, magazines, and CDs with others who you think might enjoy them. Do this with all your friends and neighbors, not just those who you think might not be able to afford them.
- Help Someone Out. Do you ever see a neighbor working on a home improvement project and could use a hand? Go for it, especially if you have already done something similar to your home. Who knows, maybe that same neighbor will be there for you when you can use the help. This is especially true with caring for each others pets when you or your nieghbor go away for a few days. The cost of boarding dogs and cats is ridiculous and so avoidable if you have good frugal karma with your neighbors.
- Don’t Horde A Good Deal. Ever been at the grocery store or mall and see a great deal on something that you know would really help another family or friend? Take a moment and give them a call and ask if you could pick it up for them and bring it by their house. I know my wife does this a lot at Costco. She will also call another busy mom and say, “hey, I am going to Costco today, is there anything I can pick up for you?” It almost always gets reciprocated as well!
How do you practice good frugal karma in your day to day life? Please leave a comment below!
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Tags: Frugal Living9 Comments
9 responses so far ↓
I think there is a difference between being frugal and being immoral. This type of person is actually breaking the law in most instances.
Glad you mentioned it. It’s very important to always watch yourself when you deal with coupons to make sure you are doing the most honest thing possible.
BSL, agree on the immoral front. Post was not about coupons. Not sure what you are talking about?
I agree that there is a HUGE difference between frugal and cheap.
I think living life cheaply with no fun is not really living. Frugal living with lots of fun is more my style. Saving money never has to result in loss of fun!
I also do the Costco thing like your wife. If I see something I know a friend could use or if I am out and about and find a great deal I will call around to anyone I think may need it.
My hubby and I both try to help others out in every way we can, and it is almost ALWAYS reciprocated. You help a friend move? They will most likely be there when you move. Help a neighbor paint? He’ll be glad to help on your next project. I think that should just be a part of life-help others and they will help you if the time comes!
Take Care
LJ
LJ, nice comment. I could not agree more. I wish I lived in your neighborhood, you sound like a great neighbor!
We try to be good neighbors, mostly because our dog barks too much! LOL
I love this post Kyle, and it is so true. Pay it forward.
If I have extra coupons on a product (and I often do LOL), I’ll share them with a shopper at the store…I’ve done this in the cereal aisle before when I saw someone buying a generic cereal (likely out of habit) …I kindly pointed out that Post cereals were on sale for 2/$4 and handed her a $1 coupon to boot. Our local library has a “Friends Of The Library” room where you can donate books and magazines. They sell them for 5-25 cents and use the funds to purchase new materials for the library. I have way too many magazine subscriptions that I get for almost nothing, so it’s nice to know others are getting good out of them when I’m done reading them.
Julie, that is great that you share your coupons. I think many people just don’t take the time to do that. Good frugal karma coming your way!
Great post! Even if I had money I’d still be frugal because it’s so much fun!! I love blessing people with my extras or seeing their happy faces when they get a great deal.