Ethics and Frugality
The distinction between ethics and business ethics is that business ethics is the study of codes of behavior and the standards that guide behavior, whereas ethics is the study of morals, principles, and the theory of ethics. Business has the agenda of profit;however social responsibility, business ethics, and responsibilities are crucial because the reputation of a company is based on its ethical decisions they make, with the choices they have.
Inevitably, it’s difficult to make these decisions considering personal ethics and morals that may or may not come into play. Fortunately, many companies offer ethics training and have organizational policies to guide them. This assists harmony of conflicting interests. This coupled with stronger leaders with high integrity and character helps shape the organization’s credibility and reputation.
What about personal ethics? Personal ethics are similar in the sense that your decisions are essentially who you are. Consider honesty and fairness. When you lie or cheat others, it changes their ability to make sound decisions because they aren’t basing their decisions on factual truths. There needs to be a change in viewing people as how we can exploit them, and becoming people of character. Character is often built from morals. More specifically, cognitive morals. I won’t get into the moral philosophies, (teleology, egoism, utilitarianism, deontology, relativists, virtues, and justice) but often times we fall under moral conflicts. This especially is often true when money is concerned.
How does this tie into frugality? For starters, I’ve been advocating frugality for a good many years now. My primary focus has been on teaching awareness on separating being frugal and being cheap. They are not one and the same. Change starts with awareness.
Individuals need to own what they do and how they do it. They should do it one hundred percent regardless of the task. There should be values of success, trust, caring, honesty, and teamwork. It appears so much comes down to people taking advantage of opportunities to further their own self-interests. More specifically, make a buck, being selfish, lying, stretching truths, taking advantage, and hurting others.
Character is our qualities and personal attributes. It’s not something taught and it’s certainly not something marketed for $7.77. Ethics are the decisions and choices we make daily based on our core values. It’s personal character coupled with leadership that helps form an ethical culture. Which as you can see, I am passionate about ethical frugality and we all know how I run the community forums!
When I think about the word cheap, it conjures up thoughts, such as stolen condiments from fastfood restaurants, being dishonest about incorrect change, or not tipping for services, etc. We all have that line in the sand that we’re not willing to cross for frugality sake, and it’s different for all of us. I would hope that line stops short of being cheap, stealing, or hurting others. We all like to get a deal, but do what is right.
What won’t you do for frugality? Where is your line in the sand?
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Posted by Sara Noel
on January 22 2007. Filed under Frugal & simple living.
Sara Noel owns Frugal Village, LLC and is a nationally syndicated columnist with United Media. Bio, Follow me on Twitter, Join us on Facebook.
I won’t embarrass my children or other members of my immediate family.
I won’t engage in behavior that would otherwise waste what little time I’ve been granted on this planet. At some point, we simply have to say, “Manyana” and allow ourselves an indulgence or two. It’s the difference between surviving and living.
Like your blog, BTW. You raise important issues in a rational, relevant manner.
1[...] you are interested, click here, here, and here for more articles about ethics and [...]
2I totally agree with you about cheap and frugal being different. Being frugal is when you choose to go without, but being cheap is making others go without so you don’t have to. I would never want my frugality to cheat someone else.
3I would agree that there is a huge difference between frugality and cheating people. I like to think that I have it figured out in my own life.
4There are thousands of ways to be frugal. But if my family needs or wants something I find a way to get it for them. I won’t be cheap to slight someone else for something they need.
5I don’t embarrass my family or engage in anyting that may be illegal. I know of people who have taken an item and put a sale sticker on something.
Once I was at a gas station and the cashier gave me the wrong change back. I didn’t realize it until I got in my car. When I went to put the money in my purse I noticed it wasn’t right. She gave me change for my $20 and didn’t charge me for what I bought. I took it back and had her correct it. People get fired for stuff like that.
I try to be very honest. I am learning frugality, but I am by no means, cheap. I am not going to slight another human being in order to gain something for myself. If someone gives me too much change, I tell them and correct their mistake. I also do this if someone short changes me. This one works both ways. I won’t cheat someone, but I don’t want to be cheated either. And most times, it is just a simple mistake. I know a couple who swapped a sticker on a pumpking from large to small to try to pay the price for a small pumpkin. It was obvious to the cashier and the cashier didn’t allow it. This same couple has lied about the ages of their children in order to go to the movies for a cheaper fare or to get the cheaper price at a buffet restaurant. That irritates me.
6I will not do anything unethical to save money. I believe in being fair and honest. I will not behave in a manner to upset my family or humiliate them. I prefer to be known as frugal and not cheap.
7I believe in Karma
so I want to treat others well
This does not always result in spending money.
Especially when you havent go it to spend.
It means doing the little things that count…sharing plants from your garden, inviting a friend for tea (and toast if thats all you have), going to see a sick friend and gathering up the magzines you have about for her to read, giving your hand-me-downs to your sister even though when you see her wearing them you say …geez I should’ve kept that
Generousity doesnt really cost much
frugality and cheap are NOT the same word
Finally for all those that do collect (or hoard) jams/sugars and other stuff cus they think it’s free
its NOT it costs those establishments money
and if you collect those things dont complain when you to pay more for your cup of coffee or hamburger.
BE NICE, NOT ONE OF GREED
SIMPLY PUT, TAKE JUST WHAT YOU NEED
for that is truly frugal for all
Darling Diva
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