thrifty

Everyday

A thrifty person is careful with money and does not waste things: they save, reuse and buy only what they need. tree →

In the lessons

In money lessons, being thrifty means saving pocket money, comparing prices, mending things and buying second-hand. In the USA, a «thrift store» is a charity shop selling used items. In history, thrifty families in wartime «made do and mend». Phrases: «thrifty shopper», «thrifty habits».

Examples

• Grandma is very thrifty and reuses wrapping paper. tree →
• Being thrifty helped us save for a holiday. tree →
• My thrifty brother saved all his birthday money. tree →
• We bought thrifty second-hand books for school. tree →
• Thrifty people turn off lights to save money. tree →
• During the war, families had to be thrifty. tree →
• A Widow, thrifty and industrious, had two servants, whom she kept pretty hard at work. tree →

Note

Positive word, unlike «stingy» or «mean» (UK), which mean not wanting to share. Noun: «thrift». Forms: thriftier, thriftiest.