When it comes to shopping around for new displays, people wonder if it's frugal to purchase a flat panel monitor when they can purchase a cathode ray tube monitor for a much cheaper price. One thing to note is the difference between being "frugal" and being "cheap".

For arguments sake, let's say frugality is characterized more of balancing value and return on investment a product can provide you over time for your purchase decision, whereas cheapness refers mostly to price considerations, perhaps almost exclusively.

OK so now that I got that out of the way, I can flat out say it's more frugal to purchase a good quality reasonably priced LCD flat panel monitor display rather than a run of the mill cathode ray tube monitor. Of course some may disagree, and that's fine. But in the spirit of discussion...

LCD monitors may not necessarily cost you less in the short run compared with cathode ray tube displays, but let's consider what it does save you in the short run and even the long run.

1. Less flickering of the screen and better clarity results in fewer headaches as a result. This could amount to more productivity on your part and also a more enjoyable experience in front of the computer. Let's face it, we live in the digital age and computers are a core part of it. Why not make make the experience more enjoyable each and every second we are using it?

Let's not forget that they are generally brighter and can be experienced in high definition which is not always available with cathode ray tube displays.

2. Space considerations. By having a flat panel monitor you free up much of your desk space. By having a more clean and organized desk, you will be less prone to distractions from your immediate environment. Your sole focus will be on the task at hand (in theory). So in that regard, it's frugal because it again makes you more productive.

Now take those two basic advantages and stretch it out of the course of a year or two (or even longer). Is it a worthwhile investment to you if you can spend perhaps a hundred or little more on a flat panel and enjoy the benefits of a flat panel display versus saving a hundred bucks and opting a cathode ray tube?