Stinginess

Stinginess is the excessive reluctance to spend money or share resources, even when doing so would be reasonable or beneficial. The term is typically used to describe a notable aversion to parting with money or possessions, rather than a measured commitment to budgeting. It is related to, but distinct from, frugality; frugality implies careful management and intentional saving, while stinginess suggests a harsh, sometimes moralized, reluctance to give or spend.

Causes and manifestations of stinginess can be complex. Psychological factors such as anxiety about poverty, past experiences of deprivation, or cognitive biases that overestimate scarcity may contribute. Behavior may include refusing loans, hoarding cash, or denying small requests for help. Stinginess can be a stable personality trait or a response to situational pressures, and cultural norms about thrift can influence how it is perceived.

Social and cultural context shapes the evaluation of stinginess. In some cultures, thrift is highly valued and stinginess may be viewed as prudent; in others, it is seen as a negative trait that harms relationships. Stinginess often carries social costs, including damaged trust or damaged reputations, and can lead to social sanctions or ridicule in contexts that prize generosity.

Relation to other concepts includes miserliness, thrift, parsimony, and frugality. While all involve limits on spending, stinginess carries a qualitative judgment about unwillingness to share, not merely about prudent financial management.