Is saving someone money effectively the same as giving?

So this year I saved someone right around $450 on a computer. They were going to pay $850 for a computer primarily used for word documents and I talked him into buying a less powerful yet still highly effective computer.

All things considered he now has an extra $450 to play with because I talked him into purchasing a more appropriate computer for his needs.

While I fully understand that giving involves sacrifice on one's own part, would you consider it basically the same deal for the person on the receiving end?

You helped someone save money buy pointing out the thriftier option for their needs, but no that's not like giving them $450.

Yes you should demand at least half of that 450 you saved them.....

No, it's not remotely the same.

You had them but less of a computer because that's all they needed? Didn't really save them money just bought a lesser model. It might be slightly different if you actually saved them cash. Like recently I bought the wife a MacBook Air. Was on sale 100 off. Plus I got a 150 off .edu coupon and went to post office and got 10% coupon in total I got about 450 off and paid 580 with tax. That's saving money

It's still nice that you were honest and didn't let them pay for stuff they didn't need. Not everyone would do that =)

No.