I think this gets into a debate that can't really be settled with rights and wrongs, but: Frugality for frugality's sake is just as dangerous as extravagance f

I think this gets into a debate that can't really be settled with rights and wrongs, but: Frugality for frugality's sake is just as dangerous as extravagance for extravagance's sake. Saving $40 on a laptop is great if and only if you're positive that a more expensive laptop isn't going to make that money back. The danger of excessive frugality is that you start thinking of employees as costs to be trimmed, as opposed to investments who generally pay handsome dividends. Never underestimate the productivity of an engineer who has everything he needs.