economical

modif.

1. Careful of expenditures

   thrifty, frugal, saving, sparing, prudent, careful, economizing, provident, niggardly, meager, miserly, stingy, mean, close, shabby, avaricious, penurious, chary, watchful, circumspect, parsimonious, conservative, tight*, closefisted*, penny-pinching*, cheeseparing*; see also stingy.

   Antonyms liberal, generous*, wasteful. *

2. Advantageously priced

   reasonable, inexpensive, cheap, sound, low-cost, fair, moderate, marked down, on sale, money-saving; see also cheap 1.

3. Making good use of materials

   practical, efficient, cost-effective, thrifty; see efficient 2.

economical implies prudent management of one's money or resources so as to avoid any waste in expenditure or use it is often economical to buy in large quantities; thrifty implies industry and clever management of one's money or resources, usually so as to result in some savings the thrifty housewife watched for sales; frugal stresses the idea of saving and suggests spending which excludes any luxury or lavishness and provides only the simplest fare, dress, etc. the Amish are a frugal people; sparing implies such restraint in spending as restricts itself to the bare minimum or involves deprivation sparing to the point of niggardliness; provident implies management with the foresight to provide for future needs never provident, he quickly spent his inheritance