It’s been over one year since I published Frugality And Ethics – Are You Being Cheap, Frugal, or Stealing?
This was a post I thoroughly enjoyed writing.
Since last year, I have thought of several more situations that some may categorize as frugal living, whereas others may think it’s flat out stealing. Due to this, I thought right now would be a great time for Part 3 of this series.
I don’t believe there is anything wrong with saving money (this is a personal finance blog after all), but I do wonder how far people will go to save money – whether it be $1, $2 or $100.
No one is perfect and I definitely am not.
However, when does frugal living or cheapness cross the line and turn into stealing? I would love to hear your opinion on each of the situations below.
Dumpster diving for goods.
I’ve never gone dumpster diving but I do know of a few people who have tried it.
Some believe that dumpster diving is stealing because the goods were meant for the trash. Others believe it’s just frugal living.
While I don’t think I could ever dumpster dive, I don’t think this is stealing. Someone actually making use of the item instead of it sitting in a landfill sounds like a much better use to me.
Related article: How To Live On One Income
Taking the coupons out of someone’s newspaper.
For a few months when I was trying out couponing (I was not very good at it), I received one newspaper each week so that I could get the coupons. However, the coupons were rarely ever in there. I did some research and apparently it is somewhat common for thieves to go around and steal the coupons out of newspapers.
Many of these thieves claim they do it because most people don’t use their coupons. However, how do you know if someone does or doesn’t?
To me, taking the coupons out of someone’s newspaper is clearly stealing and not frugal living at all. You should ask for permission before you go around taking coupons.
Not telling wedding vendors that you’re having a wedding.
I didn’t do this with my wedding, but whenever I read wedding budget posts almost every article would say not to tell wedding vendors that you were having a wedding.
Instead, some of these writers would recommend to tell the vendors that you were just having a party. Once you mention the word “wedding,” prices can significantly increase so saying that you are having a “party” might save you some money.
I think this is a difficult one. I’m not sure if this is stealing, as saying that it’s just a “party” is technically not a lie. However, you are purposely leaving information out.
I do think that if you leave out that your party is actually a wedding that you may miss out on some important aspects of your wedding. Usually a higher price is charged for a wedding because extra work needs to be put in, such as with a photographer, DJ, event planner, etc.
What do you think when it comes to this situation?
Related article: DIY Wedding Ideas – Worth It Or A Waste Of Money?
Reading books and magazines but not paying for them.
I still remember one occasion where I had to get a book for research and went to a bookstore near my home. The book was obviously read by someone previously as there were big fold marks on the outside as well as on the inside (it looked like someone folded the book in half), and there were even stains on and in the book. That is just sad!
I see nothing wrong with quickly glancing at a book or magazine to determine if it’s for you. However, if you are reading a majority of the book while not paying for it, I do think that this crosses the line into stealing.
If you enjoyed a book so much to read almost the whole thing (or even the whole thing), then you should either buy the book from the bookstore or just go to your local library and borrow it from there.
Credit card churning to earn sign-up bonuses.
In Part 2 of my Frugal and Ethics series, I was asked by a few readers to include this in Part 3. Some believe that signing up for credit cards purely to earn high sign-up bonuses is stealing, whereas others do not.
To me, I do not see this as stealing.
I’m fairly positive that credit card companies know that many people sign up just for their bonuses. They are probably hoping to find some life-long credit card holders by offering these bonuses. I see credit card churning as a frugal living win!
Have you ever done any of the above? Are the above situations just frugal living or are some actually theft? What other examples can you think of?
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For people who are really, really, cheap there is a fine line between being a their and actually being cheap. I consider myself to be frugal for I will go out of my way to save a dime, but never at other peoples expense.
Yes, I agree. Some believe that if it’s a mom and pop shop that it’s stealing but that if it’s a big corporation that it’s not stealing. Doesn’t make sense.
I am most of the time frugal. One tactic I used because I am really enjoying novels, I download it online. I don’t buy it anymore in bookstore. Thanks to tablet or smart phone, simply put, to technology. I can it for free.
Awesome Jayson!
Not mentioning your wedding is a good idea! I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. You should be able to bargain for a good price. If spilling all the details hurts your chances, then I would just keep it to myself.
I wonder how much of a price difference it really is.
I buy a ton of books but have recently started buying them used from Amazon. You can save a ton of money and the book sellers sometimes sell them for 99cents plush shipping…even for a hard back. Just look for the description of its’ condition. I look for like new or very good and haven’t been disappointed yet.
Also thought of an example of stealing…piggybacking on your neighbor’s Wi-Fi or cable signal. Definitely not cool.
Yup, that is definitely stealing, I agree.
Yes, using your neighbor’s wi-fi is stealing. However, what about arranging with the neighbor to pay a share for the use of the wi-fi. This would be a cost-sharing arrangement that could be beneficial to both parties. Or would that be stealing from the service provider (e.g. cable company) who would like to have two full-price paying customers instead of one? Would this be different from renting your chainsaw to a neighbor, for instance?
Taking coupons is definitely stealing. As far as the wedding one, be careful, because when they figure it out (and they will), they could end up delivering poor service out of spite, which could ruin or place stress on a very important day.
Yes, that’s why I don’t think lying about your wedding would be a good idea. If you can’t afford the service then you can’t afford it.
I haven’t done any of the above, but I think if you’re organized enough churning credit cards is a smart way to earn rewards!
I agree!
I agree with you Michelle on all of your conclusions! Our daughter got married late last December, and we did see the advice to drop the word “wedding”, but we didn’t. We did DIY most of it, but the venue/caterer knew the event was a wedding. The time of year worked in our favor, most vendors wanted the business and were willing to work with our budget.
Thanks Melane!
The wedding thing is iffy claiming it is a party. When I got married, we did the court wedding (50.00 in Annapolis), rent-a-tux (50.00 w/ military discount) , and my wife purchased her wedding outfit on clearance (plus a city school teacher’s discount costing around 120.00). The reception was at a all-you-can-eat buffet that was planning to close down in the following year. We manage to negotiate the cost around 450.00 with guests planning events with the place throughout the year. Some guests asked us what we wanted for the wedding and we managed to get a wedding cake (friend of the family made a three layer ube flavored cake (purple cake)), a host (my aunt from NY), a photographer (wife’s co-worker) and a few wedding essentials that would have cost us a lot more. Anyway, our total cost for the wedding was around 1200.00. In comparison to my cousin’s dream wedding that cost 30,000 in Baltimore and a friend of family’s daughter (not including airfare back and forth from Seattle Washington) had hers costing 25,000.00 in North Carolina (not including air fare for distant relatives). This involved an expensive restaurant (50 dollars a plate per a person), limited guests, professional photographer and a few other things.
I guess in certain areas of our marriage I have been less frugal especially with the baby’s food. Of course, second hand clothing from my wife’s coworkers and relatives is helpful. And the coupons for the Similac is essential (subscribed).
Wow great job!
I definitely don’t think anything on this list qualifies as stealing, except the obviously clear example of stealing coupons. Not sure why anyone would have a problem with the rest.
With the book thing, I was upset because it was the only book left and it was left in disgusting condition.
The wedding one is something I’ll definitely struggle with. You ARE leaving out info on purpose. But vendors DO gouge you just because you mention wedding, whether extra work is needed or not. I think what I might do is say ‘event’ or ‘party’, get a basic quote, then say wedding. If it goes up thousands, I’ll take my business elsewhere – they’ll clearly be unscrupulous on a lot of other issues too if they’re willing to price gouge.
Yes, it’s definitely a hard one. If the work is the exact same then the price should be the same.
I’ve heard of the wedding tip before, but think it would be pretty obvious to vendors that you’re planning wedding. As you noted, there are special arrangements for weddings. The DJ needs to play the first-dance song. You need to discuss serving the cutting and serving the cake with the caterer.
My mom’s side of the family is notorious for taking advantage of “freebies,” including grabbing things that they find on the curb. They love to show off their finds (often pretty impressive). While I suspect that they engage in some sketchier activities, they don’t tell me about it. I think a good ethical guide is whether you would brag about your “frugality” to others.
I feel that items left on the curb are usually free so hopefully she is truly taking freebies 🙂
I’ve signed up for credit cards simply for the sign on bonus and I don’t consider it stealing or unethical. I spent a decent amount of money on those cards and paid it all off so the extra points were just a plus. I also a little torn on the wedding vendor dilemma as well. Weddings are expensive, but when I get married I will most likely go with a venue that offers wedding packages so it will be no secret then 🙂
I agree, I don’t think credit card bonuses are stealing either.
As long as the dumpster is in a place that is easy to get to (IE no climbing fences) then I don’t see a problem with it.
As far as the wedding thing? We just shopped around and took some chances. It was our photographer’s second wedding (she did portrait work before), we got married on a Friday (2/29 baby!) and that saved a ton. I guess I don’t see it as stealing, but it is a little dishonest, but then again, so is charging more because it is a wedding.
I agree with everything you said Brian. Good job on saving money on your wedding!
I agree Thomas!
I agree Sylvia!