1. avoiding waste

    e.g. an economical meal
           an economical shopper
           a frugal farmer
           a frugal lunch
           a sparing father and a spending son
           sparing in their use of heat and light
           stinting in bestowing gifts
           thrifty because they remember the great Depression
           `scotch' is used only informally

    Synonym: economicalfrugalscotchsparing