1. Mistake: Never, ever participate in an office party where you are required to bring a dish.
Why?: You will never be satisfied with the little dish you bring and probably go out and buy the biggest bucket of chicken
or entree dish you can find at a cost of $20.00 or more. Steer clear!!
Frugal: Volunteer to be the entertainment. Bring a DVD player and CD player and entertain the masses with music and
movies. You'll be the hero who rescued the boring party and eat for free!
Cheap: showing up at the party with nothing and making up some lame excuse that you forgot your dish. Lame!!!
2. Mistake: Never give to an office collection being passed around to help a co-worker.
Why?: You do not know if the person will even appreciate this guesture, nor do you really know how much of the money
will actually make it to the intended person(s).
Frugal: Make a card, write a poem and read it at the memorial or in front of assembled co-workers. Mean what you say.
Cheap: Giving less than five dollars. Yes, I said it. Less than $5.00 is very cheap. Just skip the donation if you are
strapped. Don't embarrass yourself by giving $.84. That might insult the collector and others.
3. Mistake: Do not gamble ever!!!
Why?: It is illegal and a waste of time. You might get fired or be stung by an undercover. You should invest that cash
in your savings account.
Frugal: If you must have the feel of gambling. Get a card or play-sheet and play for fun to see if you would have
won. If you're going to gamble, gamble for a soda or lunch or a kiss. Never money.
Cheap: Sharing a football square with 3 or more people. What are you doing? Just don't gamble. What if someone
turns you in!
4. Mistake: Never, ever, never buy anything valuable from a co-worker.
Why?: Duh..What if they rip you off? Then what? You'll hate them and still have to work with them.
Frugal: Thoroughly examine anything you plan on buying from a co-worker and agree on paper that if it doesn't
work, you'll get your money back...say after 30 days. Try before you buy, always!! Take that car out to a
mechanic and make sure she runs well. Get a receipt. No five-finger-discouts or fell-off-the-back-of-the-
truck-fire-sales.
Cheap: Agreeing to buy something from a reputable co-worker and going back on the deal. Foul play!!
5. Mistake: Having sex with a co-worker and showing it off.
Why?: You will not be respected and be known as a "slut". Male or female. Your rep will suffer. Everyone will
be talking about you forever.
Frugal: Have only friendly or casual relationships with co-workers. Never give anyone money and never promise
anything. Do not mess with couples or married individuals. It will cost you.
Cheap: Scandalously picking up on strays here and there and catching rebounds. You will reap what you
sow, trust me!!! Sex isn't everything. Keep your personal life outside of work.
