People’s views on money are not all the same.
Some people live frugally and think they should save for rainy days, others want to enjoy life to the fullest and spend money on pleasant things and pleasures. Of course, not having a big budget is not always harmful, but being a cheap person lowers the standard of living of a person and his family.
No matter how small or unimportant the item may be, cheap skaters usually love getting free stuff.
If you’re lucky enough not to have experienced what it’s like to live on the cheap, check out the following stories from Reddit users to see what wild adventures they’ve had.
1. How this dad used a smart move to get free soap
My father invited a man to demonstrate the under-sink water filter for free when he first moved into his new house. The man demonstrated with a bar of soap before walking away.
My father had no intention of installing a water filter and called at least four other companies for a free sample just to keep the free soap. He acts like that and it gets worse as he gets older. But I gave him space to be himself.
2. Bond’s Dad has paper towels
My dad has excess paper towels. Even though I’m 21, he still wants me to ask permission before using them because he doesn’t want me to waste them. I seem to remember thinking that each roll was worth $100 because my father was afraid I would waste it.
Because he buys only the cheapest goods that often break or malfunction, he is a thrifty consumer who spends double on everything. When my girlfriend and I were visiting him, I spilled a gallon of milk everywhere. She took a roll of paper towels and used them all to wipe up the spilled liquid.
Even though I felt really bad for helping her, the look on my dad’s face when he realized we used the whole roll was funny. Since he was too polite to yell in front of my fiancee, I knew he wasn’t going to yell at us. However, it was clear that he suppressed his pain, anger, and sadness over the “wasted” roll.
3. What a creative method to save every penny
Fathers oh my god they are the worst. Mine hangs his laundry outside which would be fine if he didn’t do it year-round even though it’s below freezing because he doesn’t like having to pay for utilities.
When he cleaned our rooms with my sisters, he would rummage through the trash looking for “valuables” like recyclables or cash. Has an obsession with gas costs; once I spent thirty minutes in his car as he drove around town looking for the best deal.
He puts his car in neutral, opens the door, and when he wants to go, he propels himself down the hill with his foot.
I was only allowed to have chicken fries at Burger King once because the burger was “too expensive”.
4. See Maestro of Return Policy
My father took full advantage of Costco’s return policy. We had a set of outdoor furniture that he returned to us after about eight years. It was weather-worn, with a few chips. They took it and he used the money to pay for most of the new patio kit from Costco. Incredible.
These stories highlight the often funny and sometimes confusing lengths to which cheap skates will go to save a few bucks. Each anecdote reflects a unique perspective on frugality and reveals how this behavior can shape family dynamics and personal relationships. While saving money is undoubtedly a valuable skill, the extremes these individuals exhibit can lead to amusing and charming situations.
Living with someone who prioritizes frugality can be both challenging and fun. The experiences shared by these Reddit users illustrate how such habits, while often rooted in practicality, can border on obsession. Whether it’s obsessively saving paper towels or creatively using return policies, these stories show the complexities of living on a budget.Â
Ultimately, these stories serve as a reminder of the different attitudes toward money and how it affects our lives. While frugality can foster ingenuity, it is essential to balance it with the enjoyment of life’s simple pleasures. The humorous nature of these experiences not only encourages laughter, but also makes us think about our eating habits and values, and reminds us that there is a fine line between frugality and missing out on the joys of life.