For those who are frugal, being frugal is a way of life and every cent is a treasure. Cheapskates don’t enjoy spending their hard-earned money on opulent lifestyles, unlike certain individuals. Regardless of their wealth, these individuals will always make every dollar matter. Read More
Most likely, you have encountered a cheapskate. These individuals frequently hunt for the greatest offers, repurpose items, etc. For them, making the most of every purchase brings them happiness and is more important than simply spending money.
Whether it’s a complimentary cup of coffee, a mini shampoo sample, or a promotional pen, receiving something for free is always reason for joy. If you have never dealt with a stringy person before, be ready to be amazed as these kids from cheapskate parents shared some of the bizarre things that happened to them growing up. What they said was as follows.
Grammar and clarity errors have been fixed in the comments.
- How My Dad Used a Wise Move to Get a Free Bar of Soap
u/[deleted]: My dad invited a man to provide a free demonstration of a water filter that fits under a sink as soon as he moved into his new home. After performing his demonstration with a bar of soap, the guy walked away.
My dad never meant to have a water filter installed; he called at least four other companies for a free demonstration, only to keep the free bar of soap. He acts in this way, and as he gets older, it gets worse. But I simply let him carry out his actions.
- My father’s obsession with paper towels
u/TheCommonStew: Dad saves all of his paper towels. He doesn’t want me to waste them, so even at 21 he still wants me to obtain permission before using them. His anxiety that I might waste them made me think that I was paying $100 for a roll.
He only buys the cheapest item that breaks or doesn’t function as well, which makes him a cheapskate who spends twice as much money on everything. I spilled a gallon of milk all over his house while my girlfriend and I were there. She reached for a roll of paper towels and used it all to mop up the mess.
Although I felt really bad for helping her, my dad’s expression when he realized we had used the entire roll was amusing. Since he was too nice to yell in front of my fiancée, I knew he wouldn’t yell at us. However, it was clear that he was suppressing his hurt, rage, and sadness over the “wasted” roll.
- My Dad’s Special Method for Preserving Every Penny
u/notronbro: Dads, oh my god, they are the worst. Mine hangs his clothes outside, which would be okay if he didn’t do it all year round—even in below-freezing temperatures—because he detests having to pay for power.
He would sift through our trash, hunting for “valuables” (money or recyclables) that we had thrown away, whenever my sisters and I cleaned our rooms. I once stayed in the car with him while he drove around town for thirty minutes looking for the lowest gas since he is obsessed with gas pricing.
He literally puts his car in neutral, opens the door, and uses his foot to propel himself down hills when he wants to drive. I was only permitted to have chicken fries at a Burger King once as a burger was “too expensive.”
- See the Maestro of Return Policy
u/halfadash6: My father abused the Costco return policy to the fullest extent possible. We had an outdoor set of furniture that he returned after around eight years. It was worn from the weather, with a few broken bits. They took it, and he paid for most of a new patio set from Costco with the money. Incredible.
- Revealing My Grandmother’s Economical Triumphs
u/Acetylene: One of my summertime chores as a little child was to set the table every night before supper at my grandparents’ house. I was told to use “the good napkins” whenever we had guests over for dinner.
That referred to the napkins that were devoid of printed restaurant branding. My grandmother felt she could win the deal, and there were plenty of ways to do so, so we only went to restaurants when she thought she could.
Of course, she clipped coupons, but that was kid stuff. She would always ask someone to take her out to supper as a way of “returning the favor” after they had done her anything. She carried a huge purse that was usually filled with food and napkins from the buffet.
If a restaurant didn’t have a salad bar, she didn’t see much value in going there. When my mother and I decided to treat her to supper on her birthday one year, we had to travel more than an hour to get to a Sizzler that she wasn’t barred from.