When it comes to money, we each have different perspectives. Some of us like to enjoy life to the fullest, spending money on luxuries and experiences. Others prefer to live frugally, saving money for the future. While there’s nothing wrong with being mindful of our spending, being a cheapskate can significantly affect our quality of life and even impact our loved ones. We found some outrageous stories shared by people on Reddit about their experiences growing up with cheapskate parents. Strap in and get ready for a wild ride!
1. How This Dad Scored a Free Bar of Soap with a Clever Trick
One Reddit user shared a story about their father’s obsession with getting things for free. When a guy came to their house to demonstrate a water filter, he used a bar of soap for the demonstration and left it behind. The dad then called four other companies for more free demonstrations just to keep the bars of soap. It seems his love for freebies only gets stronger with age!
2. Dad’s Attachment with Paper Towels
Another user shared a story about their dad’s obsession with paper towels. Their dad insisted they ask permission before using them, as he believed they were too valuable to waste. One time, their girlfriend accidentally spilled a gallon of milk, and they had to use a whole roll of paper towels to clean it up. The dad’s reaction was priceless, as he struggled to hide his pain and disappointment at the “wasted” roll.
3. What a Unique Approach to Saving Every Coin
One Redditor shared how their dad was obsessed with saving money in every possible way. He would hang clothes outside all year round to avoid paying for electricity to dry them. And when it came to driving, he would spend half an hour searching for the cheapest gas. They even recalled a time when they went to Burger King, and their dad only allowed them to order chicken fries because a burger was “too expensive.”
4. Meet the Return Policy Maestro
Another user revealed how their father took full advantage of the Costco return policy. They returned an outdoor furniture set they had for eight years, which was weather-worn and broken. To their surprise, Costco accepted the return and refunded them, allowing them to purchase a new patio set. Talk about making the most of a generous return policy!
5. Unveiling the Frugal Achievements of My Grandmother
A Redditor shared some stories about their grandmother’s frugality. From using coupons to getting people to take her out to dinner to “return the favor,” their grandma had all the tricks. They even had to travel over an hour to find a Sizzler restaurant she hadn’t been banned from. With her determination to save money, it’s no wonder she hasn’t paid for a new appliance in over 60 years!
6. Rolling in Savings
One Reddit user shared their embarrassment over their dad’s extreme cost-cutting measures. Instead of buying regular-sized rolls of toilet paper, their dad found giant industrial rolls and used those. These massive rolls had three to four times the amount of a regular roll. Although it was embarrassing, it definitely helped their dad save a ton of money!
7. My Grandmother’s Unbeatable Sears Lifetime Guarantee
A Redditor had a hilarious story about their grandmother’s love for the Sears “lifetime guarantee.” When their grandparents got married in the late 1940s, they registered their gifts with Sears, taking full advantage of the lifetime guarantee. Decades later, their grandmother still had all the paperwork and boxes from her 1940s purchases. Surprisingly, Sears honored the guarantee and replaced her iron! The family suspects that their long-lived ancestors might be the reason why Sears is struggling financially.
8. My Dad’s Budget Home Became a Renovation Adventure
One user shared a story about their dad’s extreme cheapness when it came to buying a house. Instead of spending a little more to get a decent home, their dad opted for a low-quality house that needed significant renovations. Over the years, they spent way more money fixing up the house than they would have if they had bought a better one in the first place. Sometimes, being too frugal can end up costing more!
9. Beating the Heat on a Budget
Living in a hot and humid environment can be tough, especially if you’re trying to save money on air conditioning. A Redditor shared how their dad would only turn on the AC when the temperature exceeded 100F. To further save on cooling costs, their dad used styrofoam pads to block out the heat from the windows and doors. They also relied on a natural spring for drinking water, joining the line of people with jugs and bottles to stock up “just in case.”
10. The Surprise Gift Card of a Lifetime
One Reddit user shared a heartwarming story about their stingy grandpa. After their grandpa passed away, they inherited a $30 gift card. Despite initially planning to give it away, they decided to use it. Little did they know, that gift card was a special promotional item with a million-dollar prize attached to it! This unexpected windfall completely transformed their life and opened up new opportunities.
These are just a few of the insane stories shared by people who have grown up with cheapskate parents. While some of the tales may seem humorous, it’s important to strike a balance between frugality and enjoying life. After all, a happy medium can lead to a better quality of life for everyone involved.
