Extreme Cheapskates
By Newyorker06
@Newyorker06 (79)
United States
December 26, 2012 11:02pm CST
I know that we are in times of recession and there is also the Fiscal Cliff but some of the things that people do to save money is just really unbelievable. TLC has this news show called Extreme Cheapskates and well the name kind of say a lot about the show, the things that I saw were beyond my imagination. The thing that really surprised me was that some of the people on the show had good money in the bank and I mean good money. One could say that the reason why they have that much money is because they are so cheap but the way I see things is that when you die the money will be there and you will be six feet under. This brings me to the first person this guy had about 16 different bank account ten of which his family had no idea about with over thousands of dollars in each. He took is family to dinner and payed for the $92 and change bill in coins, a big behind bag of coins it was unbelievable. One lady pied in a jar, one didn't use toilet paper at all. One man bathed with his cloths so he could wash them while he showered, and another reused containers from the trash at a movie theater he knew gave free refills.
I like to save money as much as the next but I don't think I could ever go to such lengths to save a couple of cents. So my question to you mylotters what do you think of people going to such extremes to save money and would you ever go to such an extent to save money as well?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@prospectboy (754)
• United States
27 Dec 12
I've heard of this show before, but I've never watched it. This guy that I watch on Youtube named Abdul is on that show I believe. Anyway, I wouldn't go to some of the lengths like a few of the things you mentioned here. Peeing in a jar is a bit too wild for me. However, I guess that works for some people. I think that saving money is a wise choice. Especially if you're looking for security down the road, or you just want to have money on hand to do the things you're interested in.
1 person likes this
@Newyorker06 (79)
• United States
27 Dec 12
I agree that it is good to save money for down to road. For things like retirement, kids going to college, and unforeseen expenses/ However I doubt that the people on this show will be able to venture out of their frugal nature and spend freely. Its like you said it works for some.
1 person likes this
@rockerfellaco (157)
• United States
27 Dec 12
I have seen a couple episodes of this show. They aren't kidding when they say extreme. The lady peeing in the jar is way over the line. U also saw that one with the guy with multiple bank accounts and wondered if the family saw the show and what their reaction was when they found out. I like to save money and some might call me a cheapskate, but these people do things beyond reasonable in my opinion.
@Newyorker06 (79)
• United States
27 Dec 12
I was also thinking about that and I bet they will be asking for more than a $20 allowance. I think to a certain extent there is a cheapskate in everyone, I mean who doesn't want to save money and still get the same experience or result. I just think going out of you way for a few cents is a waste of time and energy that could be spent on other things.
@rockerfellaco (157)
• United States
28 Dec 12
Oh yeah I definitely agree. Sometimes trying to save a few pennies is just too much work and not worth the inconvenience. For instance, I love a bargain, but there is no way that I'm going to a store on Thanksgiving or Black Friday to save some bucks. I'll pay a higher price to not deal with the insanity.
@peavey (16936)
• United States
28 Dec 12
I guess everyone has their own comfort zone. I probably do things that some other people wouldn't do, but there are things other people do that I wouldn't.
I wouldn't pay out that much in change. It's easy enough to take change to the bank and get paper money and it's all the same, so he didn't save anything by doing that.
Also, reusing containers from the trash to get free "refills" isn't cheap or frugal, it's stealing because he didn't buy it in the first place.
Those are not sensible ways to save in my opinion. I've never watched the show and now I don't intend to.
@Dominique25 (9464)
• United States
27 Dec 12
Yeah such extremes really aren't called for.There are plenty of ways to save money and still be able to enjoy your life. I wouldn't go to such extremes. There are always ways we could save some money but we have to be reasonable. Like you mentioned we could die any day and where will all that money go?
@Newyorker06 (79)
• United States
27 Dec 12
That is exactly what I was thinking, there are so many different ways to save money. You could coupon and lots of other different ways that work for many different ways of living. If saving a few cents is causing you family and friend to alienate you I think that you are going to far.
1 person likes this
@Dominique25 (9464)
• United States
14 Jan 13
Yeah I agree with you. There is a great need for these individuals to be balanced. I think individuals like this at some point need to go to counseling. Because in a sense it becomes an addiction for them. They become obsessed with all these types of things. It is a struggle for many to get over what they are dealing with and their own thought process.
