She had to buy the cheapest of everything on the list. When she was done, she went to a payphone and called home. After three rings she hung up and retrieved the coin. That was her husband’s signal to drive back and pick her up,” says one person.
Talk about a plan going too far!
Reusing Clothing
Using clothes for the long-term is great, correct? Yes, but some cheapskates take it too far.
“My dad got holes in his sweatpants over both knees after wearing them for years. Instead of getting new ones he just flipped them around. Wore his sweatpants backwards with the holes behind his knees for a long time. After they wore out that way, he used the remaining fabric to patch rips in his car seats. It looked terrible,” notes one commenter.
Why not just cut the sweatpants at the knees? You get a new pair of shorts without looking silly.
Making Your Own Tooth
Who likes going to the dentist? I don’t, but I pay him to do what he knows.
“Probably one of his most infamous is when he needed to get a dental crown, and instead of paying the “obscene amount” that they wanted him to (he had amazing insurance) he decided to forego the procedure.
“When he got home we asked him what his plan was.
“‘I’ll make my own.’ So the next day I go out into the garage, as I heard him working. I ask what he’s up to and he says, ‘I’m making my tooth’ as he proceeds to shape a piece of hard rubber with a belt sander.
“Once everything was all said and done, the tooth lay upon our table. It was… toothish,” notes one person.
Just imagine the time savings he could’ve had by allowing the dentist to do his job, not to mention getting what he needed.
Taking Home Someone Else’s Leftovers
Eating leftovers is a good way to save money on groceries. However, do they have to be yours?
“I’ve seen people watch other people eat at a mall food court. When the person eating leaves behind some leftovers, the other guy comes in and takes it home and eats it,” says one commenter.
If you’re that desperate for food, ask family or friends, or contact local charities. Dumpster diving for leftovers is a bit much.
Stealing
Purchasing dependable lights and batteries is frugal. Playing the system is something else.
“So tacky, and I’ve told this story before, but I knew someone who would buy batteries and light bulbs, replacing the dead ones in the new package, then return them to the store and get his money back claiming they didn’t work.
He hadn’t legitimately bought light bulbs or batteries in years, he always returned them once they died.”
Another says, “That’s not frugal, that’s theft.”
I’d have to agree.
Using Someone Else’s Discarded Clothing
The Goodwill is an excellent place to find discounted clothing. The dumpster behind the Goodwill is another story.
“My dad has a habit of finding discarded clothes while out biking. He picks them up, washes them (thank god) and adds them to his wardrobe,” says one person.
I love to save money, but that’s a bit too much.
Reusing Straws
Metal straws are a real thing if you like to avoid waste. If you use straws enough, they might save you money.
“One of my in-laws keeps and washes plastic disposable straws, that we can buy at a cost of $1 for 100 straws. I can handle her reuse of disposable plastic plates, cups, and cutlery, but I have no faith in the cleanliness of the inside of those straws,” notes one commenter.
Count my faith as lacking too.
Going on Food Stamps to Get Free Food
Food stamps are a tool to help people in real need. Abusing them is something else.
“Rich guy made his pregnant wife get on food stamps so they could get free food… this is a guy who makes at least seven figures,” says one person.
Yes, the pregnant wife ate, but it’s more than a bit too far.
Not Using Soap
Cutting costs on personal care needs is frugal. Avoiding usage of them is cheapskate.
“My uncle took a bottle of body wash and use some of it then constantly refill it with water so you still get some of the smell of the body wash but without having to constantly be buying bottles of body wash,” notes one commenter.
Using a coupon app to save on your purchases is much better, and those around you will thank you.
Reusing Cigarettes
Smoking is arguably a nasty habit. It’s also not frugal. But where some fail, others get an ‘A’ for creativity.
“I had a friend who instead of using her own tobacco to roll a cigarette when we were sat in a pub garden or anywhere with ashtrays, would go around and collect all the stubs of used ones and peel them open to collect any bits of tobacco that hadn’t been burned to make as many as she could to smoke,” says one person.
Talk about using an imaginative way to enjoy your habits for less.
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This thread inspired this post.