B1 – Intermediate
Being frugal and being cheap are two very similar words. How can we tell the difference?
Being frugal is being mindful about and ingenious on how you spend your money. On the other hand, being cheap is trying to economize at yourself and/or others’ expense just so you can do some penny-pinching.
Click the link to find out the difference between being frugal and being cheap and be able to answer the questions that follow:
http://www.wisebread.com/12-ways-to-tell-the-difference-between-being-frugal-and-being-cheap
Discussion Questions:
- Can you manage your money until the end of each month? How do you do it?
- Why is it important to save money?
- When was the last time you spent money on something you didn’t really need? Why did you do so?
- What are the things you do in order to save money?
- Do you spend like a sailor or are you a cheapskate? How about other people in your family?
22 replies on “Being Frugal vs. Being Cheap”
1. Can you manage your money until the end of each month? How do you do it?
Yes, I control all expenses. I make a budget at the beginning of the year and check it every month.
2. Why is it important to save money?
It is important because in life sometimes unforeseen events or needs arise where money is needed to overcome them.
3. When was the last time you spent money on something you didn’t really need? Why did you do so?
I don’t remember, it may have been the last time I went to a garden store and bought plants and tools that I didn’t need at the time.
4. What are the things you do in order to save money?
I control all the expenses I make, I try to spend only on the things I need.
5. Do you spend like a sailor or are you a cheapskate? How about other people in your family?
I don’t spend like a sailor, maybe a little stingy, but not too much, I consider myself a saver.
Appreciate your efforts in writing your answers to this lesson’s discussion questions.
See how to revise these sentences to make it a bit better:
Nice work.
Can you manage your money until the end of each month? How do you do it?/ Why is it important to save money?
Yes. I know what are my fixed costs and the money I have available to spend. I try to adapt my extra expenses to it. Anyway, I always keep in mind trying not to spend all this available money. I think it is important have some savings to be able to face unexpected expenses if necessary.
When was the last time you spent money on something you didn’t really need? Why did you do so?
I’m quite pragmatic and I don’t use to spend money in things I don’t really need. However, my expenses in leisure and sometimes in clothes cannot be considered estricticly a need.
What are the things you do in order to save money?
I don’t like wasting goods, so I’m quite frugal not throwing food away unnecessarily and not replacing my hygiene products until I use them up.
Do you spend like a sailor or are you a cheapskate? How about other people in your family?
I’m closer to be a cheapskate, although I prefer to say that I’m frugal. Some members of my family spend like sailors and it is something I can’t stand with.
Good work writing your answers. You wrote your sentences well.
Just take a look at how this response can be better structured:
Keep going with this exercise!
Can you manage your money until the end of each month? How do you do it?
I usually can get to end of each month well. Sometimes being frugal and other times cheapskate.
Why is it important to save money?
Because I don’t know what happen tomorrow.
When was the last time you spent money on something you didn’t really need? Why did you do so?
The last month, I bought a backpack to go to the gym, I haven’t gone to the gym yet.
What are the things you do in order to save money?
I have a save plan with my bank where all months I can save a little.
Do you spend like a sailor or are you a cheapskate? How about other people in your family?
I am spend like a sailor but my wife is cheapskate.My eldest son is like me and my youngest son is like his mother.
Thank you for the efforts you put into practicing your skills.
Here is a better way to write this response in complete sentence.
Good going!
1. Can you manage your money until the end of each month? How do you do it?
I try to save some money each month, like three hundred € per month. Also, I try to do only purchases of things that I need and only some month, treat myself.
2. Why is it important to save money?
It’s necessary to save some money, but not all, because you must enjoy too.
However, you need save money because you can need it for a medical treatment, buy a home or car for example.
3. When was the last time you spent money on something you didn’t really need? Why did you do so?
The last time that I spent money on something that I didn’t really need was the last month: I bought new clothes and a tablet.
I did so, because I received a extra bonus in my job and I wanted to buy something with this money.
4. What are the things you do in order to save money?
Monthly, I usually do a transfer from my current account to savings account and I try to save some money.
5. Do you spend like a sailor or are you a cheapskate? How about other people in your family?
I usually spend like a sailor and I try to spend money in something that I really need.
In my family, they are like me, they aren’t cheapskates, but they spend money with awareness.
Great job sharing your thoughts on this topic. You were able to write good responses.
Here is one sentence you can still improve a bit:
Keep being consistent with your writing practice!
1- Can you manage your money until the end of each month? How do you do it?
Yes I can, but sometimes It is difficult. I like to order food at home and some months I have to use my savings at the end of the month. However If i use my savings I replenish the money the following month. This is a problem because the following month I have less money. At the present I am eating healthier and I think I won’t have this problem (I guess).
2- Why is it important to save money?
It is important because sometimes in the life can occur unexpected things, e.g.: veterinary expenses, and you probably need a big amount of money. Also, probably you would like to buy a house or you have other plans that require many money. The savings are the solution although it is difficult.
3- When was the last time you spent money on something you didn’t really need? Why did you do so?
Various months ago I bought a tablet. I didn’t need it but I don’t regret it because I use it very much. I don’t usually buy material things that I don’t need, I usually spend my money on food or experiences like the cinema.
4- What are the things you do in order to save money?
When you live in a family it is difficult because there is democracy and all the members have their opinion. However, to have a savings account only for your family savings is useful for me.
5- Do you spend like a sailor or are you a cheapskate? How about other people in your family?
I usually spend too much money on food but I like saving because I have expensive objectives and I like to think long term.
You are doing well in your writing practice. Keep it up!
Here is a sentence you can still revise:
Keep working on your skills.
1. Can you manage your money until the end of each month? How do you do it?
Yes, it is not a problem for me. I am not a person that expends a lot of money and I try to be always aware of my income and keep in mind how much can I spend in a month.
2. Why is it important to save money?
Mainly, I consider two reasons to be the most important for deciding to save money. First of all, it is key to be able to carry out a life project, such as buying a house, for example. Also, it is a really good practice to be able to deal with unforeseen expenses.
3. When was the last time you spent money on something you didn’t really need? Why did you do so?
Maybe I could say I did not need a pair of sweatpants that I bought last November. Still, I am happy because I bought them on sale.
4. What are the things you do in order to save money?
I have a little trick that I use to save money: I always try to go to the grocery store with a shopping list of the items that I really need, and I try to stick to it. It is a simple rule but prevents you from buying unnecesary items.
5. Do you spend like a sailor or are you a cheapskate? How about other people in your family?
I think that I am more like a cheapskate, or this is what my family says about me (always as a joke). I just try to keep a cool head and not buy things I don’t need so I can spend the money on really useful things.
Good to have you back. Great that you have returned to practicing your writing.
Here is one sentence you can revise:
Until your next entry. Cheers!
1 – Can you manage your money until the end of each month? How do you do it?
Yes I can. First of all, my wife and I just decided a fix amount of money that we shoud save (without consider it exists) and than during the month we try to save money as much as we can, avoiding unnecessary things.
2 – Why is it important to save money?
I think that it’s personal, people use to save money to a lot of things. I my case the main idea is to buy my own house.
3 – When was the last time you spent money on something you didn’t really need? Why did you do so?
It was two months ago, I bought a PS5. I didn’t really need it but it was a dream I have since I was a child
4 – What are the things you do in order to save money?
As I told before, fix a min value to save monthly, and another one is trying to find things as cheap as posible!
5 – Do you spend like a sailor or are you a cheapskate? How about other people in your family?
It depends the real necessity, for example, if I really need something and I have to pay for it (even if it’s a little bit expensive) I’ll do it, but for general things I’m a little bit more cheapskate.
Your time and efforts in writing your responses for this lesson are much appreciated. Great job.
Take a look at how you can write this sentence a bit better:
1. Can you manage your money until the end of each month? How do you do it?
Yes, I can manage my money until the end of each month. Since Covid pandemic started I have saved more money per month probably because we are not able to travel or go out to dinner.
2. Why is it important to save money? I think it is important to save money in case you have an unexpected expense you can afford it without asking for money or asking for a credit in the bank.
3. When was the last time you spent money on something you didn’t really need? Why did you do so?
During this year I’ve spent much money in taxis to travel around the city. Probably I could save money traveling in public transport. I did it because it has been more comfortable and I avoid the crowd in public transport, moreover in rush hours.
4. What are the things you do in order to save money? I don’t save money in food because I like to eat quality and fresh food and I usually go to the market which is more expensive than going to the supermarket. One thing I try to save money is buying clothes for me and my daughters in sales, buying it for the next season.
5. Do you spend like a sailor or are you a cheapskate? How about other people in your family? I think I could be considered a middle term between spending like a sailor or a cheapstake . My husband is more like a sailor, he don’t look the money a lot when he is buying and he likes to invite always 🙂
Many thanks,
Andrea
Your answers are good. Keep working on your writing skills by means of this exercise.
My husband is more like a sailor, he don’t look the money a lot when he is buying and he likes to invite always
Until your next entry!
Hi,
Another pack of responses to this interesting topic:
– Can you manage your money until the end of each month? How do you do it?
Trying to save some money at the start of the month or when it comes unexpectecly (secondary works or taxes return),
– Why is it important to save money?
To stay free & secure, I like the term “financial freedom”, in order to express the maximum amount time that you can without external incoming.
When was the last time you spent money on something you didn’t really need? Why did you do so?
Videogames, I think this is my “only” vicious, I buy old videogames to collect them for a few bucks because I’m a nostalgic. I really often play but I enjoy the time playing (barely a pair of hours at friday night)
What are the things you do in order to save money?
Supress superflous buying.
Do you spend like a sailor or are you a cheapskate? How about other people in your family?
hahahahha Good example, maybe a mix. I think there are things that are more important than the money or the time to obtain and I’m a little sailor but I never spend special money in anothers less important. I try to balance between the real relevance of each case.
Thanks & Stay safe!
Thanks for once again answering the questions on this lesson! You are doing a great job so far.
Take a look at the correct word you can use here:
Videogames, I think this is my “only” vicious
1. Can you manage your money until the end of each month? How do you do it?
Yes, I can manage my money until the end of each month. I spend my money on the things I really need. Have a Budget. Make Sure I am paying the Best Prices…
2. Why is it important to save money?
It is important to save money in case of have an emergency, or if you lose your job…
3. When was the last time you spent money on something you didn’t really need? Why did you do so?
The last time I spent money on something I didn’t really need was last year. I bought a bag that I really liked. I didn’t really need it because I have many but I wanted a new one.
4. What are the things you do in order to save money?
Thing I do in order to save money are for example: I find coupons and discounts, and look for store brands instead of higher-priced name brands
5. Do you spend like a sailor or are you a cheapskate? How about other people in your family?
I spend like a sailor. The same about other people in my family.
Great tips on saving. Thanks for sharing!
See better words you can use in this sentence:
I find coupons and discounts, and look for store brands instead of higher-priced name brands.
Discussion Questions:
1. Can you manage your money until the end of each month? How do you do it?
◦ I am actually 16 years old, so I don’t earn money, but of all the money I have, I try to not spend more 20/30€ per month.
2. Why is it important to save money?
◦ It’s important to sabe money for the future because you don’t know if in the future you cannot work.
3. When was the last time you spent money on something you didn’t really need? Why did you do so?
◦ The last time I spent money was in a pairo f jumpers, I did it because I liked no because I need it.
4. What are the things you do in order to save money?
◦ For birthdays I try to save a part of money and save it.
5. Do you spend like a sailor or are you a cheapskate? How about other people in your family?
◦ I don’t usually spend a lot of money, so I consider a cheapskate and my family the same.
Welcome to the PE blog. Enjoy writing while you practice your skills.
Take a look at how you can improve this sentence:
Happy writing. Until your next lesson!