What word should be used for the habit of spending money less than the amount that someone/something requires?
For example, how to say:
Don’t spend too little on your child’s education?
shin
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asked Jun 13, 2016 at 9:48
1
You might want to look into these words:
- stingy
- cheap
- miserly
- tightfisted
Depending on some other context, you might also want to look at
- frugal
- scrimp
I forgot to include skimp! That one was the first one on my mind.
As StoneyB writes, we would say
Don’t skimp on your child’s education.
I gave a list because I was thinking of other ways to say this.
Like «Don’t be stingy when it comes to your kids education.»
answered Jun 13, 2016 at 10:00
Em.♦Em.
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Not a verb but you can use the adjective parsimonious.
As in; «Do not be too parsimonious with your child’s education«.
The word describes someone who is unwilling to spend money.
answered Jun 13, 2016 at 10:15
ChenmunkaChenmunka
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Some people find it difficult to spend their money. They get too attached to it and have trouble letting even small expenses slide. Those who spend as little money as possible deserve to be given descriptive words about them. This article will explore the best ones.
The preferred alternatives are “miser,” “stingy,” and “tight-fisted.” These words show that someone refuses to spend their money. Even if they have a lot of it, they will do whatever they can to spend as little as they can (sometimes without a plan to spend it at all).
Miser
“Miser” is the best synonym you can use here. It shows that someone will not spend money because they hate to see it leave their bank account. Instead, they will sit on it, often allowing it to amount to a small fortune. They will never get to use their money, though.
The definition of “miser,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “someone who has a strong wish to have money and hates to spend it.”
- Stop being such a miser and start spending your money. Everything thinks you’re really tight here. It’s not good enough.
- My stepdad is nothing more than a miser. He always saves and scrimps when he can. He’s got loads of money lying around.
- You’re a miser, which is why you’re not spending your money. It’s not a good look at all. I hope you realize that!
Stingy
“Stingy” is a great word you can use in this context. It shows that someone is unwilling to spend any money. Even though they might make a lot of money, they would rather save it up for no particular reason than save it or give it to those in need.
The definition of “stingy,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “unwilling to spend money; small in amount.”
- Stop being so stingy and start splashing out a little more! You’ll be surprised by how freeing it can be when you start spending money.
- I’m not being stingy. I’m just trying to save the pennies where I can. You never know when you might need them.
- You’re being too stingy for your own good. I want you to understand that this is supposed to be something we’re doing for fun.
Tight-Fisted
“Tight-fisted” is a great alternative. It implies that someone has a tight squeeze on their money (as if it was a physical thing). They hold their fists so tight that nobody is able to access their money, and they will not spend it.
The definition of “tight-fisted,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “unwilling to spend money.”
- She’s tight-fisted, so good luck getting anything out of her. I doubt she’ll be willing to help you out in this situation.
- I’m tight-fisted for a reason. I’m not too fond of it when people ask me for my money. I’m not going to share a penny with them.
- Would you stop being so tight-fisted? It’s time that you start enjoying yourself. Let other people see that side of you for once.
Scrimper
“Scrimper” comes from the colloquial verb “to scrimp.” It is used to refer to someone who likes to save money by spending the absolute bare minimum on things.
Generally, scrimpers will only splash out on necessities. Most scrimpers will overlook anything that is deemed as “luxury” in favor of saving some extra money.
The definition of “scrimper,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “to save money by spending less than is necessary to reach an acceptable standard.”
- You’re a scrimper, so you find it hard to spend and splurge. It’s fine, but you’ll need to fix it before you start going on dates again.
- I’ll be a scrimper for as long as I live. There’s nothing I love more than the money I’ve earned. I’ll never spend it.
- She’s a scrimper, so she won’t give you anything. She always looks for the best possible deal because she hates sinking money into things.
Scrooge
“Scrooge” is a great word used to describe someone who saves as much money as they can. People who are “scrooges” often act this way for selfish reasons, and they’ll never give anything to those in need.
The word comes from the character Ebenezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. In the novel, Scrooge is a miser who refuses to give any of his money away (despite being ridiculously wealthy).
The definition of “scrooge,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “someone who spends as little money as possible and is not generous.”
- As a scrooge, he has a hard time spending his money. It’s pathetic. He’ll look for savings where they’re not needed to be made.
- I consider myself a scrooge with my money. I don’t like spending it. It’s the one thing in life that I simply won’t share with others.
- I’m not a scrooge, but I’d rather save up for a little while. I don’t want people to think they can take advantage of my savings.
Cheapskate
“Cheapskate” is a good term to refer to someone who will make sure things are “cheap.” They will avoid spending money on things because they prefer the comfort of having as much money as possible.
The definition of “cheapskate,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “a person who is unwilling to spend money.”
- You’re a cheapskate. It’s no wonder she decided to leave. She noticed how tight you were with your money.
- He’s a cheapskate because of his father. It’s a learned trait, and he’ll never change until he gets as far away from his father as possible.
- I’m not a cheapskate, but I will always opt for the cheapest dinner date if I can. I don’t see why I should spend my money on someone else.
Tightwad
“Tightwad” is a great way to refer to someone who doesn’t like to spend their money. If they constantly keep a “tight” grip on their wallets or purses, it usually means they’re a tightwad and will refuse to spend money they think is unnecessary.
The definition of “tightwad,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “a person who is not willing to spend money.”
- As a tightwad, Sarah has a hard time spending money on things. She avoids having friends so that she doesn’t have to buy gifts.
- I’m not a tightwad by choice. Unfortunately, I just don’t feel like I make enough money to spend anything. It’s as simple as that.
- You’re such a tightwad, and that needs to change. Surely, there’s something we can do to fix that mental issue of yours.
Cheap
“Cheap” is a fantastic synonym because of how simple it is. It shows that someone will not spend money if they can avoid it. It’s identical to using “cheapskate,” but removing “skate” is seen as the more colloquial way to write the word.
The definition of “cheap,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “unwilling to spend money.”
- I’m not cheap. I just don’t want you spending all of my money. I’ll be in charge of who gets my stuff when I’m not around.
- You’re being too cheap! You need to expect people to ask you for money when you have a job like you do. Stop being stingy.
- I’m cheap, and I’m proud. The cheaper I can be, the more money I can save. That’s why I always look for the best deals.
Skinflint
“Skinflint” is a great choice if you’re looking for a word for someone who will avoid spending money at all costs. Even if they make a lot of money, they will do what they can to save it. This is because they’re too afraid to spend anything at the risk of losing it all.
The definition of “skinflint,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “a person who is unwilling to spend money.”
- Harry is a skinflint, and there’s nothing that will change that. He doesn’t like to spend any money. If he can avoid it, he will.
- I’m a skinflint because I have to be. It was taught to me by my parents from a young age. That’ll never change.
- She’s a skinflint. That’s why she seems too protective of her money and what she earns. She’ll never splash out for you.
Penny-Pincher
“Penny-pincher” is a word used to describe someone who will do anything to save money. They will often make the most of vouchers and coupons to ensure they’re making savings wherever they can.
While penny-pinchers still spend money, they will make sure to limit how much they spend. They will always have a good idea of ways to save as much money as possible when needed.
The definition of “penny-pincher,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “a person who is unwilling to spend money.”
- I’m not a penny-pincher. I simply don’t want you to go around telling people how much I make. I don’t want them relying on me.
- You’re a penny-pincher, Matt. It’s not a good trait. You’ve got to start being a little more comfortable spending money on people.
- As a penny-pincher, I’ll do whatever it takes to get things cheap. I changed my grocery store and picked up all the deals for that reason!
Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here.
verbsword-choiceword-request
What word should be used for the habit of spending money less than the amount that someone/something requires?
For example, how to say:
Don’t spend too little on your child’s education?
Best Answer
You might want to look into these words:
- stingy
- cheap
- miserly
- tightfisted
Depending on some other context, you might also want to look at
- frugal
- scrimp
I forgot to include skimp! That one was the first one on my mind.
As StoneyB writes, we would say
Don’t skimp on your child’s education.
I gave a list because I was thinking of other ways to say this.
Like «Don’t be stingy when it comes to your kids education.»
Related Solutions
Learn English – Word to describe a person who spends extremely little money
There are quite a few words that can be insulting about someone who doesn’t like to spend money.
A miser is
a mean grasping person; especially : one who is extremely stingy
with money
«stingy» is also kind of insulting, as it describes someone who is «not generous»,
not liking or wanting to give or spend money
A scrooge is someone who is a miser and stingy:
her father is a real scrooge and refuses to pay her way through
college, even though he can easily afford it
This word comes from the Charles Dickens story A Christmas Carol — Ebenezer Scrooge is a rich but very mean man who makes his employees work long hours for little pay.
Here’s a picture of someone in the role of Mr Scrooge:
A «tightwad» and a «cheapskate» are also people who don’t like to spend money. These words are a bit less negative, though: the person may not like to share or help others, but they are not as mean as a miser or a scrooge.
«cheap» is another good word. It is also used for things of poor quality, so it suggests a person of low morals or class who is also stingy.
Learn English – What’s the word for “to wish bad for someone”
You can use wish ill upon as in I would never wish ill upon anyone, but I hope never to see her again.
The following are informal
If the two parties are in the same place, then one of them can give the other the evil eye. A slightly cruder, less formal expression is giving someone a stink eye. The recipient of the stink eye doesn’t necessarily need to know it — it can be given behind their back. If you can’t actually see the other person, you’ll have to settle for sending them bad vibes.
If you hope someone has bad luck, you could wish bad juju on someone.
If you have a superstition that some small action on your part could bring them bad luck, you can jinx them by performing that act. (West Coast AmE)
What word should be used for the habit of spending money less than the amount that someone/something requires?
For example, how to say:
Don’t spend too little on your child’s education?
Answer
You might want to look into these words:
- stingy
- cheap
- miserly
- tightfisted
Depending on some other context, you might also want to look at
- frugal
- scrimp
I forgot to include skimp! That one was the first one on my mind.
As StoneyB writes, we would say
Don’t skimp on your child’s education.
I gave a list because I was thinking of other ways to say this.
Like “Don’t be stingy when it comes to your kids education.”
Attribution
Source : Link , Question Author : slacker , Answer Author : Em.
Want to spend less and save more money? Redefine this one word
It may be time to rethink your definition of the word «necessities.»
May 30, 2018, 2:54 PM UTC / Updated May 30, 2018, 2:54 PM UTC
When it comes to making a budget, most of us know there are two basic categories of spending: the things we have to pay for, and the things we don’t.
It’s very easy to tell which things are non-negotiable: our mortgage or rent, utilities, medical costs, transportation, food. For parents, childcare would also qualify. They are all expenses that fall into the bottom levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs — when they’re taken care of, we don’t feel their effects. But when they are missing or lacking, we can feel intense anxiety.
We all need to meet our basic needs before we can accomplish our greater financial goals. For example, you probably can’t expect to save for a house down payment if you are barely able to cover your monthly food costs. Saving for retirement is also much easier once you’re no longer buried under a mountain of student debt.
Shelter, food, paying off debt — those are necessities. But sometimes, thinking in terms of “necessities” can get us into serious financial trouble.
For example, we can’t go without housing. Most personal finance experts will agree that it’s typically affordable to spend up to 30% of one’s annual income (before taxes) on housing. Yet most Americans are spending 37% of their incomes on housing costs, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. If your household income is $100,000, that seven percent increase could account for $7,000 in lost potential savings each year.
I know how easy it is to get lured into the higher-cost housing trap. My partner and I recently moved from Midtown Manhattan, where he’d chosen to live out of convenience four years ago, to a less convenient (but thankfully much quieter) part of town. We didn’t even have to downsize; just by moving to a different neighborhood, we’re spending nearly $1,000 less per month than we were previously.
There’s no denying that housing is a necessity. But more expensive housing, whether for the sake of a “better” location or more space, is a luxury, and I think that’s something a lot of us take for granted. We may think our baseline expenses are necessities, but getting comfortable with higher standards of living often means paying more than we really need to — and perhaps even overspending.
Of course, thinking of things as necessities doesn’t just apply to big-ticket budget categories like rent. It’s extremely common to think we need personal care or clothing items that we actually don’t.
That’s something Desirae Odjick, the brains behind the popular personal finance blog Half Banked, has experienced a lot first-hand.
“I think this happens so much, especially with the way social media shows us perfectly-polished images of what ‘everyone else’ has,” she told me. “I’ve definitely been lured into buying clothing and decor that I felt like I needed to have because I kept seeing it on Instagram! (But seriously, who hasn’t?).”
She went on to explain that social media isn’t the only culprit for overspending on material items we think we need. “Our in-person environments can create the exact same effect. If everyone else in your friend group is buying something, or spending money on an experience, it very quickly feels like you need to spend money on it, too. The same goes for the workplace — it’s so easy to normalize take-out lunches, expensive clothing or networking events as essentials because everyone else is buying them, but even when they feel like necessities, they really aren’t.”
In order to wiggle your way out from under excessively spending on what you think are necessities, here are a few questions to ask yourself before making a purchase — big or small.
If what you’re spending on is simply a want, and not a need, you may want to rethink the money you’re about to drop on it.
1. Do I want this or need this?
Odjick’s point about takeout lunches is a good one: yes, we need to eat. But do we need to spend $15 on a salad every day? Probably not.
Of course, if you’re a high earner or good about limiting your spending in other areas, daily lunches might not break the bank for you. But for so many of us, seemingly small expenses like takeout lunches and daily lattes can really add up, without us even realizing it.
Next time you go to buy something, ask yourself this question — and be honest. If what you’re spending on is simply a want, and not a need, you may want to rethink the money you’re about to drop on it.
2. Can I spend less to achieve the same level of satisfaction?
Of course, a life without any discretionary spending isn’t a palatable one for most of us. In fact, Odjick encourages everyone to spend money on things they like.
“You might opt to keep some of the extras, which is totally fair, but getting clear on what counts as a necessity can help you really enjoy your discretionary purchases more. You don’t need a latte, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy one — and if you know it’s a treat, as opposed to what you buy without thinking about it because you need it, you’ll probably enjoy it more.”
Being honest with yourself about what you do and don’t actually need makes you appreciate the non-necessities more — which makes them even more enjoyable. But here’s where you ask yourself the next question: If I know this isn’t a need, is it still worth it to me, or just a default?
For some of us, those afternoon lattes are the highlight of our day. It’s worth it to put money towards things that bring us genuine joy. But for others for whom that latte is merely a habit, and nothing more, it may be time to rethink that default spending. Getting used to buying things regularly that you don’t actually need, and especially that you don’t even want that much, will surely lead to overspending — and fast.
How can cutting back on “necessities” make room for more wants?
Maybe you really love those daily lattes, but you’ve realized that, on your salary, you really can’t afford to keep having them if you want to reach your bigger financial goals. You of course can’t starve yourself or go without transportation in order to save money, but as much as it hurts, fancy coffee can go.
But fortunately, there’s probably somewhere else in your budget where you can find that $4 a weekday you’d like to spend on a latte. You just have to get creative with what you spend on necessities.
For example, we may know how important it is to cook at home in order to save on food costs — but we may not be optimizing our grocery budgets in order to do so. For example, Sarah, the who blogs at Smile & Conquer, sticks to a strict meal plan every week so as not to overspend on food. That way, she knows what she’s spending beforehand, and make sure she’s making the most of her shopping list by using several recipes with overlapping ingredients.
If you start paying better attention to your spending in one area, like groceries, you can figure out how to get your daily latte without jeopardizing your finances. $20 a week saved at the supermarket means $20 more you can put towards your coffee habit.
MORE SAVINGS HACKS
- The one move you can make to improve your wealth and health
- How a do-not-buy list can save you hundreds of dollars
- 13 easy ways to save money
- How to budget and get out of debt if you live paycheck-to-paycheck
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