NEGATIVE TRAIT THESAURUS

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HELPFUL TIP:

Characters with this flaw will be extra sensitive to certain emotions, so think about how events in your story might specifically trigger these feelings to generate compelling tension and conflict. Another idea is to give a supporting character a positive attribute that is an opposite of this flaw, which will get under the skin of both characters and cause friction in their relationship.
DEFINITION:
Exhibiting miserly tendencies

SIMILAR FLAWS:
Cheap, miserly, parsimonious, tightfisted

POSSIBLE CAUSES:
Living through a financial crisis
Experiencing a situation where one was grossly taken advantage of
A devastating financial loss
Selfishness or a desire to amass wealth at all costs
Viewing generosity as a weakness

ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS AND ATTITUDES:
Haggling to get the best price, even when it means taking advantage of someone
Reusing items well past what is normal or healthy (eating expired food, etc.)
Refusing to buy new products even when one can afford to do so
Accusing a service provider of taking advantage simply because one doesn't want to pay
Not leaving a tip
Having a generally negative attitude about people
Being protective of one's time and money
Refusing to help others
Bemoaning the high prices of goods and services
Imposing one's experiences onto others: "I worked for minimum wage as a kid, so he should, too."
Not celebrating Christmas or birthdays because one is too cheap to buy gifts
Re-gifting
Refusing to donate to charities or those in need
Checking one's receipt in calculated detail
Always supplying correct change, even when paying a bill with friends
Reluctance to split the bill, especially if the other person's meal was more expensive
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ASSOCIATED THOUGHTS:
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ASSOCIATED EMOTIONS:
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POSITIVE ASPECTS:
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NEGATIVE ASPECTS:
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EXAMPLES FROM LITERATURE:
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OVERCOMING THIS TRAIT AS A MAJOR FLAW:
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TRAITS IN SUPPORTING CHARACTERS THAT MAY CAUSE CONFLICT:
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