Being Cheap or Frugal
BEING CHEAP OR FRUGAL?
So many of us go through phases in life where we are financially stretched and count every penny we spend. For those lucky few born in really affluent families and whose every need is met, this topic might not strike such a deep chord. I sure have been through such times. This topic might also seem very childish and naïve to many. But it is surprising how many people in fact act CHEAPLY and then wonder why success eludes them.
Being an avid believer in the power of the subconscious mind, I have come to believe the fact that the way we ACT has a huge impact on it. This is because the subconscious mind looks for proof. You can mouth affirmations all day but if your actions are otherwise, it doesn’t count for much. When we act from a place of scarcity and want, the subconscious takes this as a fact and brings about similar situations. Many a time I have affirmed many things which have NOT come to fruition because I realized that my actions were contrary to what I wanted.
Like many other topics this might not be life changing and profound but it does have a deep impact on our life.
There is no hard line dichotomizing cheapness and frugality but we can rely on our inner feelings to show us the way. Since this topic does not lend itself to theory and can be illustrated best by examples, I shall adopt the same route.
a) Going to a shop seeing a pair of beautiful slippers but not having the money to buy but at the same time knowing that they are not a desperate necessity and that you will buy them for certain when your cash inflow is better is being frugal. Going with your friend to a restaurant (which you wanted to go to) and just going to wash your hands when the bill arrives in the hope that your friend will pay is being cheap.
b) Deciding that you actually do not NEED to call a certain friend now (when your cell phone balance is low) is being frugal. Sending a message to him requesting him to call back as your balance is low is also being frugal. Giving him a call and then cutting the conversation midway in the hope that he will call again is being cheap.
c) Taking a loan from a friend when you are in dire need and paying him back in installments instead of the promised lump sum amount (because you are so financially stretched) is being frugal. Avoiding his calls, using the loan amount to buy what you may really not need at the moment is being cheap.
The examples can go on and on. How do you differentiate? There is a very simple method. When you are frugal there is a sense of dissatisfaction because you are not in a position to buy the things you want. All the same there is an inner peace that prevails as you know that you are true to your principles. There is no fear from within. And if you practice mind power and positive thinking, you realize that this is just a passing cloud.
Whereas when you are cheap there may not be dissatisfaction because you are in a taking-advantage-of-others mode but there is a small sense of fear inside. What if your intentions are spotted? In addition to this if you ask yourself if it is acceptable if someone else does the same to you, your answer would be a resounding no. The simple reason being at your deepest level you know what you are doing is not acceptable and the main reason your doing it is because you are in a position to and you feel you can get away with it.
There is another main reason why you must not be cheap. Your subconscious mind which is a part of your highest self is above all these things. When you habitually act from a position of cheapness for some reason you fail to become great. When I was a struggling singer, there were a few people who took advantage of that fact and made me sing for free. On top of this they pocketed my money too from the producer. Talk about being cheap. Logically they must have amassed great wealth by now as they did it with other singers too. They are nowhere in the industry now. Added to this they have practically ZERO goodwill.
There are others who were really fair in their dealings. Many of them have risen to great heights. Well, some of them have not too but they have earned a lot of good will and are well on their way to becoming successful.
In short being frugal and cheap is a lot like the difference between being broke and poor. One state is temporary, the other is permanent. {I am a total believer in infinite abundance and obviously not an advocate of frugality for life. But many a time we pass through this stage before attaining great wealth} In the interim question yourself whether you act cheaply or frugally.The answer can help you immeasurably.
