Frugal or Cheap

I know we have all been called cheap!  That is a given.  Most fugal people have been.
What do you think?  Is there a difference in your mind?

Look up CHEAP in the dictionary and it doesn't really say what I think it means.  I saw expressions like:  low in price, a good bargain, inexpensive, costing little...........in my mind's eye those MEAN FRUGAL!
Cheap to me is someone who will not spend ANY money - tries to get something for nothing no matter the consequence - doesn't mind cheating people or companies - not willing to help others - being nasty about hygiene or food - greedy.........................on and on!

My definition of frugal is about getting the best price you can, looking for a bargain, using things up and not wasting, helping others when able, charity, saving for a time when things aren't looking up/or retirement, and MOSTLY being a good steward of all we have (money and things)!

I do a ton of things that people have called me cheap for doing.  I just think I am being smart.  You tell me - what do you think?

Yep - I keep my bacon grease for seasoning.  As you can see, the band is not really viable for canning, but can be used for this purpose, and that lid is 2nd use as well.  I also strain and keep other oils for a second or third use - as long as I haven't used for something strong tasting like fish.

It is not often that we eat out - but when we do, I keep all the extra condiments (in a baggie in frig), napkins, straws (I even wash and re-use), packets of plastic ware (great if kids come over or donate), and pop bottles that any leaves at our house.  If we get delivery Chinese - they have great containers. which I keep to store leftovers or send things home with others.  I also keep those cottage cheese and sour cream containers for giving leftovers away.

I keep twist ties and rubbers bands in a section of my junk drawer.  They sure do come in handy.  I LOVE the produce rubber bands - but they get used quickly at our house.
I also have containers in a drawer with nails, screws, nuts, bolts, tacks, any misc. piece that comes with something.  It comes in so handy. 

In the bathroom there are so many frugal items.  I use coconut oil as skin cream and get it out with a spoon (washable) instead of putting body germs in container.
Hair dye gives me 2 - 3 dye jobs since I have short hair.  I only mix what I want to use.
Face powder when getting to that ring around the compact stage, gets scraped into container and used as loose powder.
Mix scrapings from lipstick & Vasoline together for lip gloss.
Tons of lip color samples I got for a quarter a bag at a yard sale 2 years ago (I must have had 75 - 100).  Says one use - I get at least 2.
Lipstick tube still has color in it - been using a Q-Tip for lip brush and using the remains for over a year.
Jar of cotton balls - that all came out of baby aspirin bottles.  I have never bought a cotton ball.
Baking soda used as toothpaste once in a while also as cleanser
Hankies made from old t-shirts.
Sponge/scrundgy cut in half.  Lasts for ages.
Old tooth brushes that I use when coloring my hair.  Have others for cleaning.
Plastic gloves from hair color.  I have dozens that haven't been used from over the years- I use one set over and over till I puncture.
I also have probably a dozen tubes of conditioner that comes with hair color.  I only use a dab once in a while.

Basket came as a gift years ago.  Holds my necessaries.  Old pop bottle with Himalayan salt water (used as mouth wash).  Cotton ball jar, small jar with Q-tips, clips use to hold towel around shoulders when coloring hair (also makes a great tweezers holder) and of course room spray, brush, a hand mirror (have had it for 30 years).

I water down shampoo to make it last longer - experts say it is too strong from bottle any how.
Dish soap - mixed with water and vinegar
Laundry soap - use less than called for and add water at the end. 
Baking soda - becomes tooth paste, odor absorber in litter, use in stinky laundry, odor absorber in frig. (oh I bake with it too!)
Scraps from candles get saved and become new candles or pieces used as melts
Any heavy box I receive is used for storage
Keep all tissue paper, pretty gift bags and boxes from year to year
Ice cream buckets used as storage or a gift 'buckets'
Used computer paper and envelopes received in mail get used for scrap paper, lists, or coupon holders
Any plastic grocery bag gets recycled.  I use as bags to collect garden harvest as well
Large cat food or seed bags are used as trash bags or made into grocery totes
Pickle juice/olive juice is either drank or re-used to pickle other veggies.  Can be used as a meat tenderizer as well
Magazines I received are donated to nursing homes
Larger snack containers (1 - 2 lb. size) are kept and cleaned to keep other homemade snacks in
Old t-shirts clothes - become hankies, rags, material for throws, pillow, etc.
Scalding water is used as a weed/grass killer (it works)
NO food scraps are wasted.  They are either eaten, turned into new meals, composted, or put out for stray cats/opossums to eat


I could go on and on - you know I can!!!!!! 
I learned so many of these practices from my folks, picked up others when we had little money, and learned from others. 
Do I still need to do these things - NO - but why not?  I am not too proud to be careful with our resources.

So what do you think?  Cheap or frugal?
Are you the same way?  If anyone has some new and different ideas for staying frugal and re-using, re-purposing, using up, and not wasting let us know.

Blessings from my frugal and humble home!