For people who are frugal, every penny is valuable, and being thrifty is a way of life. Some people enjoy splurging on nice things, but cheapskates have a different approach. They always strive to make every dollar work, even if they have a lot of money.
You’ve probably encountered a cheapskate before. These are the individuals who are constantly on the lookout for the best deals, find ways to reuse things, and simply get the most out of every purchase.
Everyone loves getting something for free, whether it’s a free pen, a free cup of coffee, or even a sample-sized shampoo. If you’ve never met someone who is incredibly stingy, brace yourself because these children whose parents were cheapskates have shared some of their craziest experiences. Let’s dive into what they had to say.
1. A Clever Trick for a Free Bar of Soap
One person shared how their dad moved into a new house and had a man show him how to install a water filter for free. The man demonstrated it using a bar of soap and then left it behind. The dad took it a step further and called at least four other businesses to get more free lessons, with the sole intention of acquiring more free bars of soap. Even as he gets older, this cheapskate tendency seems to become more pronounced!
2. The Paper Towel Dilemma
Another person revealed how their dad saves every single paper towel. Even though they are now 21 years old, their dad still makes them ask for permission before using a paper towel to avoid any wastage. The dad always opts for the cheapest option, even if it means sacrificing quality. However, this often backfires as they end up spending more when the cheaper alternatives break or don’t work as well. The author recalls a time when a whole roll of paper towels was used to clean up a huge mess, and seeing his dad’s reaction made him feel guilty for the “wasted” roll.
3. Saving Every Penny in Unique Ways
One person shared their dad’s extreme frugality, like hanging clothes outside to save electricity, even during the cold months. The dad would even go through their trash to retrieve discarded items like money or cardboard that he deemed valuable. Gas prices were also a big concern for this cheapskate dad, often driving around town to find the cheapest gas. On top of all that, the dad had a peculiar way of driving down hills, by putting the car in neutral and using his foot to push himself. This person also recalls a time when they could only order chicken fries at a Burger King because a regular burger was considered “too expensive” by their dad.
4. The Return Policy Maestro
This story revolves around a dad who takes full advantage of Costco’s generous return policy. The dad returns a set of outdoor chairs that they had owned for eight years, despite wear and tear. Amazingly, Costco accepts the return and provides a refund, which the dad promptly uses to purchase a new patio set. It seems hard to believe, but this dad has truly mastered the art of exploiting return policies.
5. Unveiling My Grandmother’s Frugal Tactics
A nostalgic tale is shared about spending summers with grandparents who had their unique frugal ways. For instance, when guests were invited over for dinner, they were instructed to use “the good napkins,” which were the ones without restaurant names printed on them. The author’s grandmother had numerous tactics, such as coupon-cutting and asking people to take her out to dinner to “return the favor.” She even carried around a huge purse filled with napkins and leftover food from restaurant tables. The grandma had a preference for restaurants with salad bars and even had to drive over an hour to find a Sizzler that hadn’t banned her.
6. Rolling in Savings
This person’s dad discovered a store that sold giant industrial rolls of toilet paper, equivalent to three or four regular rolls. They moved to this store and started using these massive rolls. While it might save money, the author couldn’t help but feel embarrassed when inviting friends over.
7. My Grandmother’s Unbeatable Sears Guarantee
The author shares an incredible story about their grandparents, who set up their wedding registry at Sears in the late 1940s. Back then, most items sold at Sears came with a “lifetime guarantee.” Even after numerous moves, their grandmother has kept every flattened box and warranty for the appliances she purchased when she got married. The author recounts a recent trip to Sears, where their grandmother was surprised to receive a brand new iron by bringing in the boxes and papers from the 1940s. Her commitment to frugality has allowed her to avoid buying new devices for over 60 years. It’s both amusing and ironic how these lifetime guarantees might have contributed to Sears’ decline in recent years.
8. My Dad’s Budget Home Turned Renovation Adventure
This individual recounts how their dad’s penny-pinching ways impacted their family home. Their dad chose the cheapest option when buying a house, resulting in a fixer-upper with numerous issues. The house lacked finishing touches, had unique doors and windows, and even still had asbestos siding from when it was built in 1947. While initially saving money on the purchase, the dad ended up spending more on renovations since then.
9. Cheap Ways to Beat the Heat
Living in Georgia, where summers are sweltering, this person’s dad refused to turn on the air conditioning until the temperature exceeded 100°F. To save money on cooling, the dad made the family use Styrofoam pads with a foil lining on windows and doors to keep the heat out. Additionally, their city had a spring with drinkable water, and the dad took extreme measures by filling up large containers, fearful that the spring might dry up the next day.
10. A Surprise Turn of Events
The last story takes a surprising turn. A person shares how their parents have always been cheap, even depriving them of their inheritance. However, one day, they receive a letter with strict instructions not to open it when their parents are present. Inside, they discover a message from their biological father, informing them about the money their grandma left and the effort he has made to recover it. The letter promises a better life ahead and gives the reader hope for a brighter future.
Being frugal is a commendable trait, but sometimes it’s important to spend money on the people we care about. It doesn’t mean splurging unnecessarily, but rather showing our loved ones that we value them by treating them to a special treat or a thoughtful gift. So go ahead and share these hilarious stories with your family and friends, and let’s all appreciate the humor in being thrifty.
