When somebody calls you cheap it may seem offensive at first, but it really says more about the other person and their belief system than it does about you. Many people like to prance around with the latest iPhone, their eight dollar Starbucks double iced late, an expensive leased car and they have plenty of debt instead of cash in the bank. If you save your money and make good choices, take being called cheap as a compliment that you know how to manage your money from someone who is financially illiterate.
Robert Kiyosaki in his book Rich Dad Poor Dad talks about how there are two different mindsets between the wealthy and the middle class. The middle class will buy a luxury car on car payments, and the wealthy will create a business and buy the car through their corporation. Wealthy people think about building wealth and creating assets while the middle class thinks about having a job or career.
One of my relatives owns nine million dollar rental properties in Vancouver, Canada and he drives the shittiest old vans that you have ever seen. He looks more like a homeless person most of the time than a millionaire. I always thought that would be interesting if people drove around with their net worth painted on their car and we could see what people are really worth, the guy driving the luxury Land Rover may be hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt.
Next time someone calls you cheap, use one of our clever comebacks and don’t give their opinion a second thought. Keep on saving and investing your money.
Vote for the best comeback when someone calls you cheap
Definition of a cheap person
You may have already heard of the word cheap when buying something. The object can be expensive or cheap. However, there is another type of ‘cheap’ in describing someone. A cheap person is unwilling to spend money even when necessary.
Don’t mix up cheap and thrifty! Thrifty and cheap are different. Thrifty recognizes the appropriateness and need of a purchase, while cheap people disregard it. These individuals try to save money at all costs, even if it means sacrificing quality or convenience.
They may be seen as stingy because they are often unwilling to contribute their fair share in situations that need it. Being mindful and wise about your finances is good, but too much will harm relationships.
Being called cheap is usually negative, as it also means you are perceived as selfish or inconsiderate of others’ needs or expectations.
How to deal with being called a cheap person
Being called a cheap person can be a wake-up call if you haven’t reflected on your behaviour. While it can be hurtful, there are several ways to deal with it appropriately that would help you improve as a person.
- Listen to the feedback when people call you cheap: Listening is the first step towards self-betterment. By hearing what they have to say, you get to identify the times when you acted cheaply. You can have a better understanding of what they mean when they say you are cheap, and you get a chance to change accordingly.
- Reflect on your behaviour: Having time to reflect is important in changing behaviour. You might not notice it, but there may be many times when you are unwilling to spend even if necessary and appropriate. Recognizing these times will help you understand and develop changed responses whenever similar situations come up again.
- Practice generosity: Being generous is the positive opposite of being cheap, so moving in this direction is a good move. Slowly incorporate generosity in your everyday interactions with other people. Of course, this will involve spending, so be sure you have conditioned yourself to willingly and heartily spend money. You can start by contributing your fair share in group situations like hangouts and dates. Then, if you’re feeling a bit too good, offer to pay for others or donate.
- Be honest about your financial situation: If you can’t afford to spend money because of your financial situation, it’s best to be honest with your loved ones. This way, they will understand you instead of assuming you are cheap. Honesty and communication help you avoid misunderstandings.
- Seek support: If these comments interfere with your daily life and are causing you discomfort, visit your trusted professional. You might think that it’s not that serious, but if it disrupts your growth, you need to talk about it with a professional.
It’s good to be conscious and responsible of your finances. However, to maintain good social relationships, you need to be more honest about it and considerate of others around you.
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Famous people called out for being cheap
It might be hard to believe, but famous personalities have been labeled as cheap. Here are some of them:
- Jerry Seinfeld: Seinfield is one of the most well-known comedians and has been criticized for being cheap despite his estimated worth. One of his exes has also described him as a “cheap boyfriend.”
- Jay Leno: The former late-night talk show host has been called cheap because of the cars in his garage. He’s known to buy cars at discounted prices.
- Mark Zuckerberg: Known for being an introvert, the Facebook CEO has also earned the reputation of being cheap. This is mainly because of his wardrobe choices, which often consist of t-shirts and hoodies.
- LeBron James: Who does not know LeBron? The NBA star has been called cheap particularly because of his tipping habits. People have even criticized these behaviours as being stingy.
- Howard Hughes: The late billionaire has been famously known for his extreme frugality. You won’t probably believe it, but he used to reuse tissues and save urine in jars. He exhibited strange behaviour, especially as a billionaire.
Everyone manages their financial life differently, so respecting each other’s choices in managing finance is important. Talking about things is an excellent way to maintain good relationships with the people around you. Offer helpful advice when asked, and remember to try to choose kindness regardless of how much a person sounds or acts ‘cheap.’
The role of counselling and self-care
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When you are dealing with being called cheap by others and you find it stressful, consider getting support from a professional. Talking to a counselor is a great way to work through a challenging situation, and help you find some strategies to work through the person’s behaviour.
Better Help is a great resource where you can talk to a counselor from the comfort of your own home.
Taking care of your own needs isn’t selfish, and you will feel better in the long run.
