Living a frugal lifestyle and consistently spending below our means is something that neither you nor I should be ashamed of doing. In fact, if you want to experience less financial stress and improve your present and future fiscal health, then frugality should be practiced regularly.

However, in the quest to save more and pay the least possible amount when it comes to consumption of goods and services, there are strategies that some people employ that appear downright extreme. The exact distinction is subjective; what I consider to be extreme acts may be perceived as par for the course by others. That said, here are some frugal instances that I would consider to be over the line. I hope they help you distinguish between frugality and something that is more extreme — and perhaps best avoided.

Wearing Excessively Worn Out Clothing

With the plethora of low to no cost clothing options such as thrift shops, clothing swaps, bartering, Freecycle, clearance and sample sales, it’s hard to understand why someone would willingly go out in public wearing clothing that has glaringly obvious holes due to being worn out. Given all of our cheap options, it’s just not necessary.

In a public setting such as the workplace, wearing clothes with holes or stains is not only considered unprofessional, but it could also lead one to be perceived as cheap and perhaps even have a negative impact on one’s professional reputation.

If you can’t repair the item, then either only wear it when you’re in the privacy of your own home or throw it away. In some cases, you might be able to recycle it, for rags, craft projects or some other use.

Stealing in Order to Save

Now, this tip should go without saying, since it’s a matter of basic honesty. Still, I once worked at a company where a former employee had been caught stealing toilet paper. I can only imagine the embarrassment and shame that this person felt when confronted and admitted that the reason was due to financial constraints.

Whether it is toilet paper, a co-workers’ lunch, packs of printing paper or fistfuls of ketchup and mayonnaise packets, there is no reason why anyone should feel entitled enough to simply swipe items that you did not pay for or ask to take. An exception to this rule would be dumpster diving. Once an item makes the trash pile, it’s free for the taking.

When the goal is to save money, some people end up crossing over into unethical territory. Going down this path might even lead to breaking the law. Make sure you’re staying on the right side of moral boundaries.

Stockpiling on Sale Items

After having watched a couple of episodes of Extreme Couponing, I was disappointed to see that some folks really have taken stockpiling to the extreme. If you need to build an addition to your house in order to accommodate your never ending pursuit of sales and loss leaders, then it’s nothing less than a shopping addiction and you’ve become a bona fide hoarder.

If you’re taking advantage of coupons and sales in order to donate the items to charity, then at least you’re serving a noble purpose. Still, you’ll want to check carefully on the rules of the sale, because sometimes they limit the number of purchases per person.

Deprivation of Comfort

Some people who practice frugality and strive to live a minimalist lifestyle may approach the benefits of both in a manner that is unhealthy. As I have previously written, it is important to consider every purchase so that you are spending on things that serve a need and that fulfill your most important wants and goals.

The issue is that some people avoid buying anything to a point where they deny themselves the basic pleasures of daily living, even when they can easily afford the splurges, in order to save money at all costs. Their “miserly” behaviour can also negatively affect relationships with family and friends.

When all is said and done, you are in charge of how you want to spend — or not spend — your money. I would simply encourage you to decide how far you are willing to go to save a dollar without compromising your quality of life, or your code of ethics.

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Where to Draw the Line With Frugality originally appeared on usnews.com