Is being frugal the same as being cheap?

As we search for the best deals, endlessly clip and organize coupons, and shop the sales, the question begs…why? Are we just cheap coupon queens? Don’t we have “something better” to do with our time? Are we never satisfied? Is there no method to our madness?

Does any of this sound familiar to you? Well, if you like coupons as much as I do, you do! You know, you get those looks from “regular” people at the grocery store who basically stand and gawk at your coupon organizer. Or, you get those heavy sighs from people who, unfortunately for them, get behind you in the checkout line.

By definition, according to Webster’s dictionary, another word for cheap is stingy. On the contrary, being frugal means not being wasteful or thrifty. There is a big difference in these two words. I think back to when my husband and I first got married (20 years ago!). We both had well-paying jobs. It was nothing for me to go to the grocery store and spend $200 a week for just the two of us. I cringe now at the amount of money we wasted, because I didn’t use coupons or buy deals.

But as for me, there are good reasons for what I do. Above all, I want to be a good steward of what God has given me. Using coupons is just one way I strive to do this. Shopping for sales, using rebates, and searching for the best deals go hand-in-hand with using coupons to efficiently spend the money God has blessed me with. Now, there are limits here. I don’t believe in doing anything unethical or illegal to reach an agreement. I believe that if I am honest at all times, then God will bless my efforts.

Another reason I use coupons and shop wisely is so I can help others. The Bible says in 1 John 3:17: “But he who has this world’s goods and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” God expects us to help those in need. One way we can do this is by donating food, health and beauty items, and even clothing to the local pantry. For example, I was recently able to “purchase” 4 blood glucose monitors at no cost to me. Now, fortunately, no one in my family needs them; so i donated them in hopes of helping someone who does.

Another misconception is comparing stockpiling to hoarding food out of fear of what tomorrow holds. To me, this could not be more than the truth. I believe that as Philippians 4:19 says: “And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in his glory in Christ Jesus.” God is capable and will supply everything that I and my family need. Storage is a way to buy the things my family needs at the lowest price. Why should I pay full price for something when I know it’s going on sale soon? And when it’s on sale, why shouldn’t you buy as much of the needed item as possible at this low price combined with a coupon? It just makes sense to do it! And to me, storage is just another way to be a good steward.

So, I hope through this you have dispelled all ideas that I or other coupon queens are cheap. is frugal I strive to spend my money wisely and in a way that honors God.

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