6 Kinds of Critics Every Frugal Person Meets

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As someone who enjoys living a frugal lifestyle, you will meet a myriad of people on your quest to save a buck. Some are great. Others, well, not so much. But they can all be identified by their common traits. Here are six types of frugal critics you are guaranteed to come across on your money-saving adventures.

1. The cheapskate

There is a big difference between someone who is frugal, and someone who is cheap. Frugal people are generous. They spend money. They just like to get a lot of bang for their buck, and they don't like to pay full price if they can avoid it. Cheapskates, on the other hand, are real scrooges. They don't spend money. They don't like to share. They nickel-and-dime you on everything. And they think you're both the same.

2. The favor hound

You're frugal. You're good at it. And the favor hound knows it. That's why they're always bugging you to help them get deals. Morning, noon, and night, they have no qualms about texting you to find an online coupon for a new pair of sunglasses. They want you there when they're buying a car. They insist on speaking to you before buying, well, anything. At first, it can be flattering. But after a while, it wears you down, until you stop answering their calls and duck behind the cheese display when you see them in the grocery store.

3. The bill splitter

They have money, they like to spend it, and they really don't care what you think. This is all well and good when they're spending their own money, but when you're doing anything together, it becomes a nightmare. Go on vacation with them, and they want the best hotel room, in the fanciest part of town, with all the bells and whistles. Eating out, they'll order the steak and lobster when you order soup and a salad, and yet they want to split the bill right down the middle. They ask you to go halves on a birthday gift for a coworker, and then buy an iWatch that costs $300. You have to set strict limits with a bill splitter, or they'll go crazy with your cash. (See also: 10 Money-Saving Habits You Should Never Apologize For)

4. The one-upper

You may be good at saving money, but the one-upper will beat you every time — and they'll make sure you know about it.

"Oh, you got that watch for 70 percent off, huh? Well guess what, I got two of those last week for a buck. In fact, the store paid me to take the watches off their hands."

If you save money, they save more. If you get something for nothing, they get twice as much for even less. For some reason, the one-upper seems to think that you actually care about all of this. But you don't. You're saving money, and you're doing just fine. If they really are saving more (and it often feels like a bunch of exaggerations) then good for them.

5. The shamer

Maybe it's a little envy, or maybe you make this person feel uncomfortable, or even guilty. But whatever the reason, "the Shamer" is quite vocal about your frugal ways, especially around friends and gatherings.

"Oh, don't ask this one to get the drinks, they'll probably come from the dumpster out back!"

"Word of warning, Scrooge over here won't want to split the check."

This is, of course, not accurate. Frugal people are careful with their money, but not misers. It won't stop the shamer from making you feel like you'd sell your grandma for a buck, though.

6. The tempter

If you're on a diet, there will always be someone egging you on to slip and have a bite of chocolate cake. If you're quitting alcohol for the month, someone will encourage you to have "just one." The same applies to the frugal shopper. You will have that friend who wants you to splash out, because it makes them feel better about their own purchases.

"Come on, let's go out to eat at lunchtime, leave your packed lunch in the fridge."

It can be very easy to accept their offers, but it's a slippery slope. Stay strong, and stick to your frugal guns.