Extreme cheapskates!! What's the most extreme thing you have done to save money?

Caterina

The split the bill malarkey was the reason I stopped going to celebration lunches (birthdays, Christmas etc) when I worked in the council, they all drank like fish and ate meat and I was a teetotal vegetarian, and on a low income compared to the others (i was the admin and most of them were senior to me). I was very popular because I always took reception duty while they went out to celebrate (boring boring food and dull company). And I saved a pot of money. Likewise I always opted to work in the days between Christmas and New Year, quiet times to deal with loose ends, no bosses in, long lunches, saved leave to take it in better weather later in the year.

dekaspace

Just thought of a few things I do, when I go to get a subway I sit for about a hour getting about 2 or 3 refills,

Another thing I have done in the past is when my mum comes we share a footlong but with 1 cup so that saves a quid as its free refills.

Was one time I saw this rude woman ask for the most expensive thing on the menu, then wanted a bottle of Oasis then when the guy asked for the money she shouted "its £2.99 its a kids meal!" and when told the steak and cheese isn't on the school kids mea she shouted for almost 5 minutes creating a queue saying she wanted his name to make a complaint (not knowing he was the manager/owner of that branch) threatening to take him to local papears and all that

The guy in the end did tell her he would let her off as a one off and she walked off and said something along the lines of "that showed him, what terrible service"

Quite funny really.

misty6

haha Anne Marie I was joking when I said it!!! She's never let me forget it though!

sparrer

I send off for on-line freebies, tea, cosmetics, toothpaste, pet food, soup etc., etc., no matter how small it saves me a few pennies.
Re paying for my own food bill, it's a standing agreement among friends. If anyone else joins us we always let them know that's what we do and they appreciate knowing beforehand.
Water down semi skimmed milk by 40/50%
Water down shampoo, conditioner, w/up liquid
Use tea bags twice
Take a few paper napkins, or a few sheets of loo roll, from cafes/restaurants
The little sachets of salt and sugar are just right for my breadmaker.
Always use the gym/pool showers, they've just been refurbished so it's quite a treat!
Turned a pair of curtains into 3 shopping bags so I don't have to buy supermarket ones.
Don't use bath towels, instead wrap myself in a towelling robe before moisturising.
Never turn the main light on (except in the kitchen), always use a lamp with a low wattage bulb.
Quite a lot more but it's second nature now so I can't think of them all offhand.

Teddi

Frugal\cheapskatey things I do:


Contact pet food companies for 1 week samples of their food, they usually do it (or agree to refund me the price of a bag if I'm not entirely happy), do this with a few companies each month, no need to buy pet food, or, buy a bag and get the money back. Literally haven't found a dog food I am happy with yet which is annoying though!
Spend more to buy anything with the get your money back is not 100% satisfied then get it for free.
Regrow vegetables in water, usually romaine lettuce but lots of things work.
Take home all leftovers from corporate lunches at work.
Water only no-poo so no shampoo/conditioner costs.
Take rolls of toilet paper, make up pads, ear buds, etc from the gym/shopping centres, etc.
Used protective gloves from work come home as my gardening gloves.
Coffee jars into vases for mothers day/birthdays etc with a ribbon saved from round a cake or similar.
Barter as much as possible.

Anne_Marie_2

misty6 wrote: »

haha Anne Marie I was joking when I said it!!! She's never let me forget it though!

Thank goodness. I wouldn't have let you forget it either!

HornetSaver

sparrer wrote: »

Water down semi skimmed milk by 40/50%

Wouldn't this work better with whole milk?

HornetSaver

dekaspace wrote: »

Was one time I saw this rude woman ask for the most expensive thing on the menu, then wanted a bottle of Oasis then when the guy asked for the money she shouted "its £2.99 its a kids meal!" and when told the steak and cheese isn't on the school kids mea she shouted for almost 5 minutes creating a queue saying she wanted his name to make a complaint (not knowing he was the manager/owner of that branch) threatening to take him to local papears and all that

The guy in the end did tell her he would let her off as a one off and she walked off and said something along the lines of "that showed him, what terrible service"

Quite funny really.

I would have given her a map to the nearest McDonalds.

VfM4meplse

Lynplatinum wrote: »

At the end of the meal the 18yo announced that the 'adults' (including me) were paying !!!! My friend looked mortified - I dont think she was expecting this as many of the 18yo 's friends worked as she did! I stood up, put down the cash for what we had eaten + tip money, by her plate and said in a clear, loud voice 'I really dont expect people to freeload on me. Let this be your 18th birthday present - a lesson in good manners!' And me and my boys walked out!

I find this shocking!

Am really surprised your friend didn't manage the situation / her daughter's behaviour, but am glad your friendship survived.

sparrer

HornetSaver wrote: »

Wouldn't this work better with whole milk?

I've tried it but it still tastes too 'fatty' to me as I prefer skimmed. It certainly might work for others though.