Money can bring out different perspectives in people. While some believe in living life to the fullest and enjoying luxuries, others prefer a frugal lifestyle, always thinking about saving for the future. Being money-conscious isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but being a cheapskate can have a negative impact on your quality of life and even affect your family. We asked people on Reddit to share their craziest experiences growing up with cheapskate parents. Here are their stories:
1. How This Dad Scored a Free Bar of Soap with a Clever Trick
One Reddit user shared how their dad would call multiple companies just to get free demonstrations and keep the freebies. In one instance, he called a water filter company and ended up getting a free bar of soap used during the demonstration. He had no intention of actually installing the water filter, but he loved the idea of getting something for free.
2. Dad’s Attachment with Paper Towels
Another user talked about their dad’s obsession with paper towels. He hoarded them and would only allow family members to use them sparingly, fearing they would be wasted. Even when faced with a huge mess, like a spilled gallon of milk, the father could barely hide his disappointment at the “wasted” paper towels.
3. What a Unique Approach to Saving Every Coin
One Reddit user shared their experience with their dad’s extreme money-saving habits. He would hang his clothes outside to dry, even in freezing weather. He would also go through the family’s trash, looking for anything valuable, and tirelessly search for the cheapest gas prices. The user even witnessed their dad driving down a hill with the car in neutral to save on gas – quite a sight!
4. Meet the Return Policy Maestro
In this story, a Reddit user’s father took every advantage of Costco’s generous return policy. He returned an outdoor furniture set after eight years, despite it being weather-worn and broken. With the refund money, he purchaused a new patio set from the same store. Truly unbelievable!
5. Unveiling the Frugal Achievements of My Grandmother
A Reddit user shared memories of their grandmother’s frugality. She would save napkins and food from buffets during outings, always trying to come out ahead. The family would only go to restaurants if they had a salad bar, and one year, they had to drive over an hour to find a Sizzler that hadn’t banned her. Grandma believed in lifetime guarantees and proudly brought decades-old paperwork to Sears to replace an iron.
6. Rolling in Savings
Another Reddit user shared their dad’s discovery of giant industrial rolls of toilet paper, snapping up one for their household. Friends were confused when they saw the giant roll in the bathroom, but the family saved a significant amount of money with this purchase.
7. My Grandmother’s Unbeatable Sears Lifetime Guarantee!
This story showcases a grandmother who kept every flattened box and warranty from Sears since her wedding day. She would proudly bring them back to the store for replacements, even decades later. The family jokes that their long-lived relatives might be a reason behind the struggling retailer’s financial troubles.
8. My Dad’s Budget Home Became a Renovation Adventure
One user shared how their father’s obsession with finding the lowest price led to purchasing a low-quality, old house. Over the years, they had to spend far more than the initial savings to fix the various issues the house had. It turns out that sometimes, paying a little more upfront can save you a fortune in the long run.
9. Beating the Heat on a Budget
Living in a hot and humid area, one Reddit user’s dad had a creative approach to saving on air conditioning costs. He placed styrofoam pads in all the windows and doorways to keep the heat out. The family also relied on a natural spring for free drinking water, with the dad even filling up thirty-two 5-gallon bottles, just in case the spring ran dry.
10. The Stingy Gift Card
A Reddit user inherited a $30 gift card after their stingy grandpa passed away. Little did they know, the card turned out to be a million-dollar prize in a hidden sweepstakes. The unexpected windfall transformed their life and future, all thanks to their thrifty grandpa’s gift.
These stories are just a glimpse into the eccentricities of cheapskate parents. While they may have their reasons for being frugal, sometimes it takes some extraordinary experiences for us to realize the true cost of being excessively cheap.
