If there’s one trait nobody wants to claim, it’s stinginess. But being stingy isn’t about how much money you have. Take Ingvar Kamprad, the founder of IKEA—despite his fortune, he lived modestly and even shopped at flea markets. For him, frugality was a habit, not an obsession. But when caution with money turns into an all-consuming need to save at all costs, it can impact not just your finances, but also your relationships.

Stingy people rarely see themselves that way. They often think they’re just being thrifty. But there’s a fine line between being mindful of spending and being a miser. Ebenezer Scrooge, for example, didn’t just save—his miserliness defined him, isolating him from others. Psychological factors, from childhood experiences to low self-esteem, can play a role in developing stingy habits.

So how do you know if you’ve crossed the line? What are the root causes of stinginess? And can you change if you realize you’re one of them? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue

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