economical

sparing, frugal, thrifty, economical mean careful in the use of one's money or resources. sparing stresses abstention and restraint <sparing in the offering of advice>. frugal implies absence of luxury and simplicity of lifestyle <ran a frugal household>. thrifty stresses good management and industry <thrifty use of nonrenewable resources>. economical stresses prudent management, lack of wastefulness, and use of things to their best advantage <an economical health-care plan>.

economical, thrifty, and sparing mean careful in the use of money or goods. economical means using things in the best possible way without wasting anything. <She's an economical cook who feeds us well.> thrifty is used when someone manages things well and is industrious. <A thrifty shopper can save money.> sparing is used when someone spends or uses as little as possible. <They are very sparing in giving money to charity.>