The Official BITOG Cheapskate Thread

[UncleS2]

Originally Posted By: benjamming
Originally Posted By: Stuart Hughes
Ace Hardware is gonna have the good ol' reliable Radio Flyer red wagon on sale for 1/2 price, and there's a store about 3 miles from the house!


Off Topic:

Is it still the same good 'ol reliable? I thought they were made in China now?


I dunno, but it wouldn't surprise me a bit. I've done enough research late last night & this evening, to find out that the wagon on sale isn't the standard model, full size steel wheel wagon(#18), but a slightly smaller version(34" long vs 36") with plastic wheels. Some sources call it a "promotional" model(#89), at least one said it was an imported model, Radio Flyer site says it's now discontinued. Maybe Ace hdwr bought the last of 'em, or maybe it's now "promotional only" & you can no longer buy it direct from Radio Flyer. Still, the sale model is half price or less of the best prices available on the full size decades-old model #18- and for all I know even that one may be imported now. If they were gonna get to keep & play with it all the time, I'd spring for the real thing. But for visits of a few days to Grandma's house, 2-3 times a year, it should last as long as they're interested in it. Maybe!

 

[moribundman]

I apologize in advance for my insensitivity and rudeness: Ladio Fryers are made in China.

 

[Virtuoso]

I take the 3,000 mile drain oil out of our Windstar and use it to top off our oil-burning Saturn.

 

[Auto-Union]

Originally Posted By: Pablo
Quote:
Side door at the movie theatre


I think we might be only talking about ethical cheapskates here.....but I could be wrong...

Come on! Were talking truely victimless here. It's not so bad...sometime the person I'm with will pay. It really impresses chicks on the first date...I know, because I have a lot of them. Every movie since Last Temptation has been a comp for me. You have to understand, I'm used to line-cutting VIP treatment. Just because they might not ~know~ who I am at the local movie does not mean I should not enjoy some degree of favour...it's *me*.

As far as heat, It's nice to have tenants below my extra apartment in winter.

I do find it difficult to understand why we run an electric fridge in winter. Too bad there is not some heat exchanger vent to the outside.

I have to do the final install of the electric system in my townhouse. Definately limiting the recess ceiling fixtures to a few, understanding that the owners will probally run compact florescents, but I can't help to think that maybe low-voltage DC LEDs might be the future.

 

[Julian]

Originally Posted By: Auto-Union
It really impresses chicks on the first date...I know, because I have a lot of them.

 

[oilyriser]

My room is pure white inside, so the natural daylight goes a bit further. No need to turn on the lights in the daytime.

Having no windows would be cheaper.

 

[Panzerman]

I cash in on all rebates and started entering all contests(Havent won anything yet though). My favorite weekend deal is to go to Car dealerships for freebies. Theres a bunch all close to me and they are always giving gas cards or gold coins away just for stopping in. If I stop getting flyers, I get on line and look like Iam car shopping and I get a buch of flyers again. I connect the dots on the dealer ships and have made $40 bucks in one 10 mile loop. Most of my oil and filters are free or actually paid to use them. I always get gas with the gas brand credit card to get the rebate and pay the balance off each month. Actaully carry about 3 gas cards in the car and truck so where ever I get gas, I get the rebate. I buy alot of big ticket items off Ebay, no tax, but you have to be carefull with shipping, Ive had good luck. Ive started doing laundry late at night on the weekends, I stay up late anyways and its off peak hours, the electric bill has actaully reflected this. My wife coupon shops, no Aldies here but Savealots are pretty good. Most of my cloths and alot of the kids, have come from yard sales and garage sales. Seldom do we ever buy new cloths after the start of the new school season unless its from the clearence rack, of Kmart or Walmart.I have a company truck, so I try to incorporate any errands I have into my work days, I roam around all day from site to site for my job anyway. I have alot of toys, but 90% are paid for. I never have more than one car payment at a time. I d like to slash more things from the budget, but I would risk a family revolt. Alot of things you cant cut, because they are interlinked, example: I would like to get rid of the home phone(all we use are cell phones anyway)but its hooked to the ADT security system, which if I cancel causes my home and collectables insurance to go up, and off sets any savings which the phone and security save, so you pay almost the same for less services.

 

[Aldaris]

I'm so cheap I bought a Smith and Wesson SW9VE instead of a Glock.

 

[Cutehumor]

with xmas season here, it's definitely time to start money saving techniques. Food is one expense I've been trying to cut back on myself. I need to lose 25 lbs anyway.

 

[Brett Miller]

I wear my underwear until they disintegrate....

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: Brett Miller
I wear my underwear until they disintegrate....


2-3 hours?

 

[Auto-Union]

Funny how the woman takes twice as long to food shop, spends twice as much money as I do, but ends up with only half as much "edible" food as when I shop.

 

[Gary Allan]

For about 5 years I had our electric stove wired to interruptible service. Not "time of day metering" or "off peak" ..the meter just shuts off the power at certain times of day (4-7 for 9 months - 1-9 during the summer). The washer and the drier and ..most of the 2nd and 3rd floor are on it. The big AC unit is too. I'm going to install electric baseboard and turn my boiler up to 180 internal thermostat during the winter. If they shut off the meters (which are billed at something like $0.05/kwh) I would have to run the boiler for 4 hours to produce heat.

I could go on about stuff I've done to save ...but it only takes one trump card from my wife to lay waste to just about all of it.

I think that's why I gear most of my thoughts toward "strategic" savings. It's got to be engineered in.

 

[oilyriser]

Every time I do an oil change, I remember what the price of oil is now at the stores. My stash has served its purpose well.

 

[benjamming]

Originally Posted By: Panzerman
Most of my cloths and alot of the kids, have come from yard sales and garage sales.


Your kids came from yard sales & garage sales? What is the going price now? Do they come completely furbished?

 

[Bror Jace]

Wow, this thread is GREAT! I've been here for years and this may be the finest thread in the history of the off-topic section!

Hats off to elejefino, Master Acid, Pablo, Gary Allen and so many others that think (alarmingly) like me.

"... in the winter, after a bath, my dad leaves the water sit in the tub until it reaches room temperature so he can capture the heat instead of sending it down the drain!"

I just strated doing this a couple weeks ago! It just makes so much sense.

 

[Bror Jace]

I tried editing my thread but ran out of time:

Wow, this thread is GREAT! I've been here for years and this may be the finest thread in the history of the off-topic section!

Hats off to elejefino, Master Acid, Pablo, Gary Allen and so many others who think (alarmingly) like me.

"... in the winter, after a bath, my dad leaves the water sit in the tub until it reaches room temperature so he can capture the heat instead of sending it down the drain!"

I just started doing this a couple weeks ago! It just makes so much sense.

Like MasterAcid, I have friends as frugal as myself ... and others who are obscenely wasteful.

I will pull cans and bottles out of the trash at work and return them for the $0.05 deposit. I will take used AA batteries rejected by digital cameras (mine and others) with about 40% life left in them and use them to power LED flashlights.

I bring all my rechargeables to work, including my cell phone. This is quasi-cheap/ethical ... but a habit I picked up and is more than compensated by the extra hour or more I put in each day.

I use these same flashlights to navigate through my apartment late at night ... leave my (CFL) lights off.

I no longer drink alcohol ... this behaviour has numerous benefits, not merely financial.

I never get cash from ATMs where I will get hit with a fee. I always pay credit card balances at the end of the month and never pay interest or finance charges.

I have clothes that are 20+ years old. I take meticulous care of everything so everything of mine lasts a long time.

I go out of my way to NOT buy anything with a logo on it. If companies want to pay me to wear their logo, this could change.

I've kept my current computer and dial-up service for 8 years. I rarely print anything so don't even own a printer.

I rarely go to see movies. This saves $$$ and most movies suck so it conserves my wits and sanity as well.

The list could go on and on ...

 

[moribundman]

Originally Posted By: Bror Jace
I tried editing my thread but ran out of time:

Wow, this thread is GREAT! I've been here for years and this may be the finest thread in the history of the off-topic section!

Hats off to elejefino, Master Acid, Pablo, Gary Allen and so many others who think (alarmingly) like me.

"... in the winter, after a bath, my dad leaves the water sit in the tub until it reaches room temperature so he can capture the heat instead of sending it down the drain!"

I just started doing this a couple weeks ago! It just makes so much sense.

Like MasterAcid, I have friends as frugal as myself ... and others who are obscenely wasteful.

I will pull cans and bottles out of the trash at work and return them for the $0.05 deposit. I will take used AA batteries rejected by digital cameras (mine and others) with about 40% life left in them and use them to power LED flashlights.

I bring all my rechargeables to work, including my cell phone. This is quasi-cheap/ethical ... but a habit I picked up and is more than compensated by the extra hour or more I put in each day.

I use these same flashlights to navigate through my apartment late at night ... leave my (CFL) lights off.

I no longer drink alcohol ... this behaviour has numerous benefits, not merely financial.

I never get cash from ATMs where I will get hit with a fee. I always pay credit card balances at the end of the month and never pay interest or finance charges.

I have clothes that are 20+ years old. I take meticulous care of everything so everything of mine lasts a long time.

I go out of my way to NOT buy anything with a logo on it. If companies want to pay me to wear their logo, this could change.

I've kept my current computer and dial-up service for 8 years. I rarely print anything so don't even own a printer.

I rarely go to see movies. This saves $$$ and most movies suck so it conserves my wits and sanity as well.

The list could go on and on ...


Yeah, I guess we are not supposed to write more than a very short reply.

 

[buster]

I believe in being as efficient as possible without sacrifcing what makes you happy. For msyelf, some times it is worth waiting to shop and spending a tad bit more money. I am less stressed out and things that keep me calm are of higher value. Something is obviously worth what one is willing to pay. Is going to Macy's to save $20 on an item black friday worth more then the 50%> increase in the chance of getting into an accident that day or getting poor gas mileage due to traffic? I don't spend my time worrying too much about these things unless it's a major purchase. Life is short. We could be gone tomorrow. What good is being cheap then? Wealth doesn't make the person. But thats just me. I also don't think anyone should tell someone how to live their life.

 

[eljefino]

Earwax makes effective chapstick. Not that I do that. I do however keep a chapstick in my winter coat pocket-- next fall I get my coat, and there it is, along with my gloves! How many people buy new ones of both every fall because they lost the old?

I flip used cars once in a while; it's a fun hobby and a little pin money. Found a roll of nickels in one car, all neatly rolled up. Also found a gun scope in the trunk I sold for $31 on ebay. Every car I dump has had the ashtray cleaned of loose change and the gas tank on fumes.

Monthly fees really screw you. I'm on virgin prepaid cellphone service, $20/3 months. TiVOs kill you there so I'm building a Linux box "freevo" PVR. I buy my auto insurance a year ahead of time and save 20%.