Has anyone else seen this show? It is like a train wreck that I cannot take my eyes off. I always thought that I was cheap, but honestly, apparently you are not cheap until you either stop buying toilet paper or stop doing laundry. Take a minute to watch the clip below.
This lady has completely fallen off the cheap train.
So from what I've seen of the show, below are the signs that you might be an "Extreme Cheapskate"
1. Dumpster Diving
- ok, we all did this in college for our furniture, but do you remember how excited you were to
buy real, new stuff once you were out and had a job? Certainly, no one I know has done this
with food.
2. Not doing laundry - this is pretty common with this show, most of their clothes they hand wash
while they are in the shower. My biggest question? How do they wash their towels?
3. Paying with change.
This show did get me thinking about my own behavior. Things I do, that some might consider 'cheap'
1. I take my own coffee to work - Let me explain this. I need coffee, 1st thing in the morning. I like
to slip it while I drive to work. So, it's hard to make enough for just one cup, and I felt like I was
wasting coffee, so I take a thermos to work, I will also mention that the coffee at work is terrible.
2. I try not to waste anything. I make croutons and breadcrumbs from leftover bread, breads with
leftover fruits and nuts.
3. I LOVE coupons. Love them, I'm not a hoarder (ok, I have 9 bottles of laundry soap right now,
but they were a really good deal I couldn't pass it up!) with them, but I LOVE a deal. Did I also
mention I love free stuff?
4. I shop alot at the dollar store. Great place for wrapping paper, crafting and project supplies.
5. I love the clearance rack, and not only at Target.
6. I hang alot of clothes up to dry rather that using the dryer. Not so much as I concerned about the energy bills, it's more like I want to stop the shrinkage.
I do promise that I buy toilet paper, but I steal soaps and shampoos (and shower caps) from hotels. I think that my husband would divorce me if I cut that out of the budget. If you would like to know more about show. Check out "Extreme Cheapskates" on TLC, Wednesday nights at 9:00 pm EST.
So, what are your cheapskate secrets?
~Cyn
1. I only use dryer sheets (I don't use liquid fabric softener) on loads that need in the winter to reduce static. Jeans don't need a dryer sheet. Towels really don't either.
ReplyDelete2. We turn off the pilot light on our gas fireplace in the spring to save. You are still using gas with the pilot light. Saves about $5/month for 4 months.
3. Power strips on everything. If it has a remote it is pulling power even when off. Flip the power strip on and then pick up the remote. Make it a habit to put the remote down by the power strip when you turn off the tv and then the power strip. bonus - you can always find the remote.
4. Printer - keep it off until need it. Don't keep paper in it - put the paper in just before you need it. If you accidently hit print before are ready, you will get 'out of paper' notice and you can cancel printing until ready. Use scrap paper to print your coupons on. They don't care what is on the back.
5. Eat what is in season. Don't like asparagus? Find a way to like it when it is $.99/lb and everything else is way higher.
6. Don't buy bagged lettuce. Even leaf lettuce that is more expensive than a head of lettuce is a better deal (and taste) than bagged lettuce.
7. Don't waste food. Don't live and die by expiration dates. Buy it and use it in reasonable time frame, but nothing 'expires' exactly on the date on the container. Those dates have some serious padding in them to protect the retailer and manufacturer.
Great Tips!! I never thought about the pilot light. I totally agree about the expiration dates, I say give it the snif test!
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