Are You A Cheapskate?
July 3, 2003 2:49 AM Subscribe
Are You A Cheapskate? Do you avoid paying for anything? Does the word "free" set your heart racing? Are you bargain-mad? Does this sort of thing interest you? Is the Web the ultimate cheapskate arena?
Hi, my name is Janet and I'm a tightwad.
I love this stuff. Love it. Combine with sites like these and you have all the tools and inspiration you need to save gobs of dough and (this is the important part) Work Less. If I wanna live on the beach someday, this is the way for me to get there.
Oh, and you can't have a tightwad thread without mentioning The Frugal Zealot.
posted by JanetLand at 5:55 AM on July 3, 2003
I love this stuff. Love it. Combine with sites like these and you have all the tools and inspiration you need to save gobs of dough and (this is the important part) Work Less. If I wanna live on the beach someday, this is the way for me to get there.
Oh, and you can't have a tightwad thread without mentioning The Frugal Zealot.
posted by JanetLand at 5:55 AM on July 3, 2003
No. No. No. No. No. And maybe.
posted by lupus_yonderboy at 6:22 AM on July 3, 2003
posted by lupus_yonderboy at 6:22 AM on July 3, 2003
Mind, that quiz is pretty silly. It has all these questions about eating in restaurants, as if that's the only food option out there. And it seems to think being a tightwad means trying to steal things.
posted by JanetLand at 6:24 AM on July 3, 2003
posted by JanetLand at 6:24 AM on July 3, 2003
I'm actually more a spendthrift than a cheapskate by nature, but this economy has made me take pause and evaluate my spending.
And I am consciously trying to nurture any cheapness genes I may have in an effort towards embracing more in the way of simple living. I would like to be less of a greedy and lock-step consumer. I am increasingly unwilling to be a supporter of the megalithic corporate culture that is the root of much global evil, imo. I would like to be more European in my attitude...by that I mean it has often seemed to me that Europeans are much less acquisitive and materialistic than we Americans, focusing more on quality of life expenditures like time away from work, the food experience, quality in art, furnishing, fashion, etc. Having more doesn't make me happier it simply makes me more jaded.
posted by madamjujujive at 7:23 AM on July 3, 2003
And I am consciously trying to nurture any cheapness genes I may have in an effort towards embracing more in the way of simple living. I would like to be less of a greedy and lock-step consumer. I am increasingly unwilling to be a supporter of the megalithic corporate culture that is the root of much global evil, imo. I would like to be more European in my attitude...by that I mean it has often seemed to me that Europeans are much less acquisitive and materialistic than we Americans, focusing more on quality of life expenditures like time away from work, the food experience, quality in art, furnishing, fashion, etc. Having more doesn't make me happier it simply makes me more jaded.
posted by madamjujujive at 7:23 AM on July 3, 2003
Right on, carter. I'm not a cheapskate, I'm a student. Or will be, soon. (Except on technology. Then, and only then, am I a snob.)
posted by gramcracker at 7:29 AM on July 3, 2003
posted by gramcracker at 7:29 AM on July 3, 2003
The trick isn't quietly rinsing off and re-rolling the condom, so much as it is getting the kids to believe this balloon you're selling for 3 dollars is "magic".
posted by dong_resin at 7:56 AM on July 3, 2003 [1 favorite]
posted by dong_resin at 7:56 AM on July 3, 2003 [1 favorite]
I thought it said are you a chesapeake?
dong_resin, try writing 'Magic Balloon' on the side with a silver marker, does the job for me.
Or a magic word like accio, confundus or something.
posted by asok at 9:14 AM on July 3, 2003
dong_resin, try writing 'Magic Balloon' on the side with a silver marker, does the job for me.
Or a magic word like accio, confundus or something.
posted by asok at 9:14 AM on July 3, 2003
The trick isn't quietly rinsing off and re-rolling the condom, so much as it is getting the kids to believe this balloon you're selling for 3 dollars is "magic".
posted by dong_resin at 4:56 AM on July 3
Humor enhanced by the fact that I've always for some reason read your user name as dong residue.
posted by widdershins at 9:15 AM on July 3, 2003
posted by dong_resin at 4:56 AM on July 3
Humor enhanced by the fact that I've always for some reason read your user name as dong residue.
posted by widdershins at 9:15 AM on July 3, 2003
Whatever mows yer lawn, widdershins.
posted by dong_resin at 9:17 AM on July 3, 2003
posted by dong_resin at 9:17 AM on July 3, 2003
Little known fact: the Chesapeake is the state dog of Maryland.
posted by carter at 10:23 AM on July 3, 2003
posted by carter at 10:23 AM on July 3, 2003
Well, let's see, yesterday the discussion was if we're White, today it's cheapskates, and tomorrow.... domestic abuse? Does our "snarkiness" follow us home, or is it simply a reflection of our offline lives?
posted by weston at 10:53 AM on July 3, 2003
posted by weston at 10:53 AM on July 3, 2003
My favourite cheapskate trick: reuse dental floss by rinsing in peroxide.
Frugal, yet mildly nauseating. A twofer!
posted by bonehead at 11:36 AM on July 3, 2003
Frugal, yet mildly nauseating. A twofer!
posted by bonehead at 11:36 AM on July 3, 2003
I say being a cheapskate is good stewardship. But, you have consider that costs of seeking the lowest price to a low price.
I'm of the mindset sometimes of seeking the lowest price but spending too much time to do it. I'm recovering.
posted by azileretsis at 12:36 PM on July 3, 2003
I'm of the mindset sometimes of seeking the lowest price but spending too much time to do it. I'm recovering.
posted by azileretsis at 12:36 PM on July 3, 2003
Balance is a good thing in thrift, as it is in most other things. I figure if the money saving idea makes me want to toss my cookies, it's not worth doing. Have to factor in the price of the cookies, you know.
posted by orange swan at 1:07 PM on July 3, 2003
posted by orange swan at 1:07 PM on July 3, 2003
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posted by Pretty_Generic at 5:05 AM on July 3, 2003