Definition
Frugality
Being deliberate and value-focused with spending, not simply cheap.
This term appears in The Budget Ledger's practical finance glossary.
Frugality is choosing to spend intentionally on what matters to you and cutting hard on what does not. It is about maximizing value, not depriving yourself of everything enjoyable.
A frugal person might happily spend on a good mattress or a meaningful trip while refusing to waste money on brand names, food waste, or forgotten subscriptions.