Čeprav sta varčnost in potratnost kot njeno nasprotje tesno vključeni v razumevanje preudarnega ravnanja, ki naj bi bilo bistvo gospodarjenja, sta v teoriji in praksi pomanjkljivo opredeljeni in dojeti. Pojavljata se tako pri pridobivanju prvin v procesu ustvarjanja proizvodov ali storitev kot tudi pri uporabljanju teh prvin in razpečavanju proizvodov ali storitev ter pri financiranju celotnega procesa..

Although thriftiness and wastefulness as its opposite are closely included in the understanding of any deliberate acting which should be the essence of good economy at large, the terms are both theorerically and practically defficiently defined and comprehended. Both terms appear in relation to the acquisition of production elements and the employment of such elements, as well as in the field of distribution of products and services and in the field of financing the entire process.