A Cheap Shot

These are tough economic times. Belt-tightening is definitely in order. But how do you know if you’ve gone a notch or two too far? Your friends or family won’t tell you, but I will. From one coupon-clipper to another, here are some early warning signs that you may be crossing the line from frugal to cheap

• You buy generic ketchup or cola. I’ll excuse generic flavored drinks like orange or grape, but cola is definitely out of bounds.
• You shop at a store that requires a deposit on the shopping cart.
• You complain about the steak … at the Waffle House.
• You split a dinner … at the Waffle House.
• You've asked someone, "Are you going to finish that?"
• You tell the waiter it's your birthday ... just to get the free cake.
• You paid a bill entirely with pennies.
• You ask for the senior discount … and you’re not a senior.
• You cut your own hair.
• You count free samples at the grocery store as lunch.
• You ate lunch at your child's school cafeteria ... and you weren't visiting your child.
• You plan your travel based entirely on which station has the cheapest gas.
• You listened to a daylong sales pitch for a free night's stay.
• You negotiate at the dollar store.
• You’re keeping your skinny '80s ties ... just in case they make a comeback.
• You were frisked for sugar packets when leaving Cracker Barrel.
• You gave me the dreaded combination “Christmas/birthday” present.
• Your precious childhood memories became a little less precious when you discovered ebay.
• You last went to the movies to see Star Wars … the first one, which is now the fourth one, but I digress.

As you might know from my earlier posts, I’m all about financial responsibility. But take it from a guy who drives a car with 118,000 miles and counting, you can go overboard.