I have a secret to share with you … I secretly fantasize about being an extreme cheapskate. The thing is I’m not, and you probably aren’t either.
In our society, throwing away money is a common and even accepted way of living. Racking up debt, living from pay-check to pay-check, paying off horrendous mortgages, buying multiple cars, consuming expensive and unnecessary food, and buying over-priced non-essentials is our typical way of living. We argue that all the money we make is to support our “lifestyles” (family, clothes, beauty products, techno gadgets, shopping sprees etc.) But few of us stop to question why our “lifestyles” cost so much, and even whether they’re truly beneficial to us in the long run.
My love affair with the cheapskate way of living began when I asked myself “do I really want to be working 5 days a week until the age of 65?” The answer? Hell no.
Do I really want to suffer the pain of constant bills flooding in that I can’t pay? Or what about the thousands of dollars of racked up interest that I’m forced to constantly pay back? The countless hours of lost time spent working, rather than cultivating interests and passions?
You would do well to ask yourself these questions as well.
So if you’re an open-minded person willing to try out new ways of living, read the list of suggestions I’ve compiled below. Your life could change for the better.
21 Ways to Live Like a Cheapskate
From what I’ve learnt so far, living cheaply is a mindset that takes practice to reinforce.
Here’s a quick test. You’re setting out to buy a T-shirt to wear out casually. How much money are you willing to pay for it? Picture the amount in your head for a moment. If your response was above $10, you probably don’t have a cheapskate mindset.
This could also mean that you don’t really value the importance of money, which can limit the amount of freedom, peace of mind and happiness within your life.
If you’re interested in living differently, I hope the following large and small cheapskate tips tickle your fancy and provoke some kind of change in your life.
1# Forage for food.
Chives, mint, basil, acorns … depending on where you live, foraging for food may be an excellent way to save a few dollars on meals. Note: to find the edible treasures that grow in your neighborhood, you really need to possess knowledge of what you can and can’t eat.
It’s also good to forage for food off the beaten track, as it may have been urinated on by wild animals. You may like to refer to the following food foraging website for more info.
2# Clean your behind with water rather than toilet paper.
Why pay good money for something that you’ll just end up throwing away after one use? Little by little, the items we purchase every week add up across the year, eating away at our savings slowly and steadily. Replacing toilet paper with water (hose, spray bottle, the installation of a bidet) can save you from flushing good money down the loo.
3# Make your own wrapping paper and cards.
$4 for a birthday card? $5 for wrapping paper? No thank you. Why pay such money for items that will quickly be torn up, or thrown away without a thought?
I’ve always been against spending such exorbitant money on such transient items … so, I prefer to make them instead. Whether by re-purposing old cards and wrapping paper, or starting afresh, I find that making your own paper and cards is much more thoughtful, and much less expensive in the long run.
4# Shop at discount stores.
Look out for stores that advertise expired food, or crazy low prices. Although this may take you out of your usual shopping regime, it’s a very easy way to save on your shopping bills.
5# Bulk buy.
Lots of money can be saved by bulk-buying items like sanitary pads, toilet paper, pasta, toothbrushes and razors. Research what you use a lot of and consider buying in bulk. It’s common to save more than 20% on the total cost of household items if you opt for this alternative.
6# Re-use teabags.
I was surprised to discover that tea can be reused up to 3 times before losing its flavour. If you’re a big tea drinker like me, consider re-using your teabags. Every dollar counts in the end.
7# Make your own shampoo and conditioner.
I’m currently experimenting with this, and am liking the results so far. Not only do manufacturers of haircare products tend to include harmful chemicals in their items, but also charge a bloody lot of money as well.
After doing some research, I collected a variety of ingredients which I mixed together to create my own custom-made shampoo and conditioner. Note that the quantities of each ingredient vary for each person, so I recommend experimenting with the following:
Shampoo
- Extra virgin olive oil (hydrates hair).
- Baking power (strips away excess oil).
- Distilled water (for diluting).
- Tea tree oil (for dandruff).
- Lavender essential oil.
Also consider experimenting with natural coconut oil, liquid Castille soap and natural honey.
Conditioner
- Extra virgin olive oil (or Jojoba or Avocado oil).
- Distilled water.
- Essential oil (lavender, peppermint, rosemary etc.)
8# Dumpster dive.
I love reading people’s responses to dumpster diving: “eww!”, “gross, pathetic losers!”, “this is completely unsanitary and unhygienic!” (it’s almost a form of free entertainment). The truth is, huge department stores often toss out tons of food each day that have reached their expiry dates (which doesn’t actually mean that they’re not fit for consumption), or simply can’t be sold the next day (as in the case of pastries, bread, etc.)
Dumpster diving is an excellent way to obtain perfectly good food for free, that would otherwise end up going to waste in a trash heap. According to freegan.com (a US website), “when a person throws something out, that item is now (in) the public domain”.
Ensure you research how legal dumpster diving is before you give it a try (to avoid getting arrested). It’s also recommended that only sealed foods be taken from commercial trash bins for obvious reasons.
9# Don’t buy weed killer.
Use boiling water. Weed killer is just another ridiculously over-priced household item. Opt for boiling water instead – it does the job just as well.
10# Unplug all power appliances before leaving the house.
If you’re not using it, unplug it. Power companies still charge money for appliances that are turned on, but not necessarily used.
11# Enter competitions and take advantage of free samples.
I’m starting to get really enthusiastic about this. My most recent grab was a pack of 8 free high quality sample cards from an Australian card company (originally priced at $4 each … for a single sample!) I also recently ordered sample laundry detergent, sanitary liners, toothpaste and organic snack bars.
You’ll be surprised at how much free stuff, or the possibility to win free stuff, there is online these days. Go have a look!
12# Purchase 2 ply toilet paper.
For those not keen on using water, 2 ply toilet paper can provide you the opportunity to get two toilet roles out of one. Just split the paper down the middle and hey presto!
13# Use baking soda and vinegar instead of cleaning products.
This simple concoction will allow you to clean the sink, toilet and shower with surprising results … and all at a fraction of the conventional price!
14# Use coupons.
Coupons can usually be found online, or on the back of typical shopping dockets. Half priced haircuts, two-for-one deals, 50% store-wide discounts … there are many joys to be discovered in the coupon world.
Making a habit of using coupons can benefit your bank account significantly.
15# Ditch the car.
Not long ago, I read an article that said the typical cost of running and maintaining a car for a single year (in the US) was about $8,000 a year.
If you’re interested in saving up for an early retirement, it may be a better idea to consider public transport which in the long run costs far less, saving you much more.
16# Garage sales, second-hand stores, flea markets … make friends with them.
I felt like weeping when I realized how much money I could have saved by buying second-hand last year. Gumtree.com, craigslist.com, freecycle.org, ebay.com – there are many websites that host second-hand items at a fraction of their original cost. Gumtree.com even has a “free” section, which you would do well to check out.
17# Live a minimalistic life.
Adopting a minimalist lifestyle can not only save you tons of shmackos, but it can enhance your peace of mind as well. Read more about minimalism here.
18# Cancel your credit card.
Using money you don’t have? Nuh-uh. Not if you want to live like a cheapskate. Get rid of the temptation and stick to a debit card instead.
19# Stop eating out so much.
$2,000+ is the average amount of money people spend every year eating out. Cooking your own food is not only much cheaper, but usually much healthier as well.
20# Avoid large shopping malls. Just do it.
Temptation, temptation, temptation. Don’t do it. Try to look for stand-alone shops instead.
21# Find cheaper ways of entertaining yourself.
Theme parks, video games, techno gadgets, movies, membership clubs … If you’re serious about gaining freedom in your life, it’s essential that you find ways to entertain yourself cheaply.
If you love reading for instance, use the library instead of buying your own books (which you only read once, and clutter your house). If you love adventure, go hike or ride your bike to some new, unexplored place, rather than spending money to sit on your ass playing video games all day.
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By using your imagination, you can come up with hundreds of creative alternatives that will save you money.
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Have any of your own cheapskate recommendations? Please share them below!
Meh. This is all pretty obvious, I was looking for some fresh ideas. I would have thought growing your own food, investing in alternative energy (solar, wind, etc.), harvesting your own water, learning about the water table where you live and how to tend it, buying in bulk would have been on this list. A lot of this doesn’t seem frugal, it seems downright poverty-affirming. You can have sustainable abundance and comfort, it just requires a little extra effort in the forefront. And then you’re not having to focus so much on how to stretch your money and eat/survive, etc. you can just focus on spiritual/personal pursuits/development. To each their own, some people are on the ascetic path and that’s cool. I’m not quite there in this life, I like my comforts. You can live abundantly, there is a way to do that without selling your soul to the 9-5 rat-race and without having to go without basic comforts like toilet paper and healthy food. The food in dumpsters shouldn’t be there in the first place. I live in a rural community and all three of the supermarkets here donate all edible, past-date food to the food pantries here–it’s really beautiful. No one has to go through the garbage just to fill their bellies because the preciousness of food and community is understood here. I think this article did bring up important points about how we feel that everything is disposable (esp.in America). Rather than maintaining it and fixing it when it breaks, we buy a new one (whatever “it” may be), and it is true that the majority of us do not understand the value of the things we do have. However, going to the opposite polar extreme doesn’t seem realistic for the Average-Joe.
another tip….start a bartering system in you community…no cash changes hands…trade a gift you have, like auto repair or carpentry for something you need….put out notices….like signs you see all over town advertising a garage sale….trade what you have for what you need….
“Spending money to sit on your ass playing video games all day.” There are dozens of great games out there that only require a single purchase, and still retain their replayability even after years. Minecraft, for instance, is a $20 initial cost, and future updates are released without charge, with mods strictly free to use. Try getting that out of a bike, which will cost at least $80 for a cheap bike (my current one was $600 when purchased), and require further payments for repair and maintenance.
DON’T Stock up on Toilet Paper! The way to save more on Toilet Paper is to never have to buy it again. With a Hand Held Bidet Sprayer you don’t really need Toilet Paper anymore(although you could keep a roll or two for guests). Washing with water is 10X cleaner then smearing with wads of paper and healthier besides saving allot of money.
What do you use to dry yourself?
Fan yourself or drip dry. Hahaha!
Yeah, but you’re using more water in that bidet that you have to pay for. Toilet paper is one of the cheapest items you can buy, or save napkins from take out & restaurants and use that.
I didn’t see mention of shopping thrift stores. Every item I have on my body right now, except my underwear and socks, was bought at a thrift store. Reeboks, bran-new. Cost me $8.00. Jeans for $6.00. Bran-new condition (maybe used, but no wear and tear) My favorite pink shirt $3.99. The sweater over my shoulders, maybe $5.99. I have business wear and some dressy stuff in my closet too. Oh! and my coat. Less than $10.00. I haven’t bought new clothing in decades
I have a Redballs-brand Matrix Neo coat, worth $150, that I got on sale for $4 at Value Village. Thrift stores are a bit absurd sometimes.
This is so weird! People instead of raising their income to afford a luxirious lifestyle they are thinking how not to waste toilet papers!!!! I gai guess I drive a Mercedes S-Class for a reason then
Not everyone wants to spend every waking minute working to buy crap to impress others. Some people would rather enjoy some of their time and not be wasteful brats.
We save where we can to spend when we want. That’s the amazing thing about being frugal: it doesn’t matter whether you’re in a dead end community working two jobs to make ends meet or up on the bleeding edge of technology making seven figures a year, you can still plan your life and save dramatically, and have plenty left over for what you really want. If what you really want is to drive an eco-buster status symbol, go right ahead; me, I’d rather save up for a Tesla and cut off gas prices entirely.
Use boiling water instead of weed killer, somehow I’d imagine weed killer would work out cheaper than all that boiling of the kettle.
Perhaps Cattlewrangler, but I doubt it.
And another tip: do u have a that bath tub/shower that requires a stopper? Toilets flush about five or more gallons of water all day, everyday…unless u got low flow. Save your bath water and use it to flush are un mentonables as needed. Just dip the water in a five gallon bucket…or less! Flush only if you think you need to and less tub water will avoid the going down the drain!! Recycling your water!! I gave mom the Idea. We had to start this and throwing our toilet paper in the trash when our tank gets backed up every now and then…mostly when ever we have company. Our tank is old and designed for 2 person’s housing since we moved into grandmas double wide after she passed. But she’s alwayes had lots of company but we never had any trouble until we let particular dumbass stay with us…..absolutely careless.
Nice tip :D
Well, its obvious that hotel rooms aren’t cheap but o started doing this when I was 15 but started collecting and saving since I was 18. Hotels have small conveniences on hand in rooms and if your on a reunion trip, some family members don’t mind it. My mom started with the towels but I collected the coffee, sugar, cream …ect, lotion shampoos, toilet paper and bath mats, note pads and tissues…..u get the Idea. For a while I didn’t really use that stuff until I really needed it which as a kid I got what I wanted and needed through my parents. Now I’m 23 on my own and I have an old suitcase full of hotel stuff and samples from the stores, hair shows and internet I’ve collected. Some of the stuff was given to me by wasteful employers that I and mom worked for (razors, makeup stuff, floss…all unused of course). Now I’m glad I hoarded this stuff.
That is a brilliant idea Dijona! Thanks for sharing your shrewd tips.
Have an indoor cat? Buy pine shavings (9′ x 9′ compressed) at the local feed store for $15, this lasts a year. Store bought that only lasts a month is $18.
Nice :D thanks Carol. Creative suggestion!
Consider drying clothes on an indoor or outdoor line/rack. Just imagine the savings that comes from not using the dryer. The Amish around here dry their clothes even during winter outside.
Great suggestion Eric — thank you!
Combining coupons with sales can often net you several tubes of toothpaste and toothbrushes for free. And, aside from using things like vinegar and baking soda for cleaning, I do keep some basic, multipurpose cleaning supplies on hand. I find that a large jug of all-purpose cleaner is handy in a spray bottle, mixed with water. Alcohol can be mixed with water for a streak-free glass cleaner. Bleach, properly diluted is also an excellent cleaner and sanitizer. And for tougher jobs, scouring powder works out cheaper than baking soda.
Where about did you get your free appliances online Cidalia? This is an excellent idea! Thanks for sharing here!
Start an instrument. Varies when you start, a good harmonica. 5 to 6 dollars, instructions book 5 to 10 dollars, (kits go for closer to 20) start a book club,
Nice ideas!
Absolutely amazing. 1 thing tho hygiene is my own law I have to have it. I do most things on that list just will not raid a bin for food as we can now get cans of food for like 30p. For as washing with water…. I think that’s disgusting.
Yes, some of the things on this list I wouldn’t necessarily do, but there is definitely something here for everyone. :D
Entering in contest and getting free stuff is fine, but never give them your real name, address, or phone number or your be on the receiving end never ending junk mail and your mail delivery person will HATE you.
For massive savings, but razor blades from dorco.com. I am not associated with them in any way, and this is not an ad. You will save hundreds a year and the blades are great. I shave at most every other day and sometimes once every three days or so, and $45 in blades have lasted me over a year. I haven’t had success with home made shaving lubrication remedies, but some people have good luck with olive oil.I find it drags too much, but that could just be me.
As far as TP goes, I just hate the thin stuff that would damage the clear coat on a car. Buying in bulk saves money. If you have a Costco near by, buy the stuff in bulk. Even regular stores are cheaper to buy and bulk and watch the sales. Never buy 6 rolls at a time. Stock up on that stuff like the world is going to end.
Hey William.
Some good advice here (especially about providing your phone number), but without providing your actual address, you will never receive the free products! As it is, I’ve been experimenting with free samples for over 3 months now, and have received only 1 or 2 extra advertisements, which is a small cost for the dozens of samples I collect every week (but this is in Australia).
Thanks again for reading!
-L
I guess if you are doing online samples, you will have to provide a real address, but if you want to get as many samples as possible and make it a life style, it might be worth renting a PO box.
Sometimes large stores will have samples beyond food and any time someone ask for information, I just give them fake info. Store cards still work, you just won’t get get things in the mail for them.
Another money saving tip, look for and buy factory refurbished items, scratch and dent, open box, etc. Almost all come with full factory warranties, so as long as you don’t mind not getting a fresh unopened box, it can be a way to save some money.
Some excellent suggestions for us cheapskates – thanks William!
I’m definitely going to try the free sample one! I find that simply not ordering a drink when you go out to eat can save a lot of money. I’ve also done clothing swap parties with girlfriends instead of going shopping. Thanks for the great advice! :)
Hi Michaela – go for it! I try to dedicate at least a couple hours a week to ordering samples and competitions (of the more obscure, and small kind). Clothes swapping is also a nice idea. Thanks for sharing! -L
Great article! I do most of the things on your list with the exception of dumpster diving, although while in college there was a local bakery that placed all unsold baked goods in a clean trash bag separate from the rest of the garbage for poor, foraging college students. We got free bagels and they didn’t get sued. It was a win-win and kept a lot of us from starving. Not all kids have parents who support their “lifestyles”. Many resourceful life skills are learned out of necessity!
I like to view it more as being “resourceful” than being a “cheapskate”.
Example: My husband and I grow most of our own produce, make most meals from scratch, only buy new clothes if they are on sale and mostly buy things from local thrift stores. That’s being “resourceful”.
My Great Aunt used to do things that I would never practice in the honor of thriftiness. She reused all rinse water from laundry, yelled at us kids for tearing the wrapping paper on our presents because she saved it all and reused it (yes, I’m totally serious!), and last Christmas made everyone bring Purell to sanitize their hands after using the bathroom because she didn’t want us “wasting water” washing our hands. THAT is what I call being a “cheapskate” and I don’t recommend taking things to that extreme. ;)
Hello there Kelly.
That’s actually a really good suggestions which would of made a good addition to the article: growing your own food. I don’t have a veggie garden at the moment, but when I did a few years ago the sense of accomplishment of growing your own food (as well as saving money of course!) was very fulfilling.
Adding to your comment, growing edible and medicinal herbs is also a great way to save money (valerian, basil, sage, acorus calamus).
Haha, most definitely some people take thriftiness to a neurotic extreme, but that shouldn’t reflect on the value of being a cheapskate.
Many thanks for sharing your thoughts here!
Making meals from scratch is a good way for saving money. Convenience food / ready-meals really isn’t a cheap way of eating at home, and they are nasty, lacking any real nutrition (IMO). It can be so simple to properly cook a meal from raw ingredients – and very fun and relaxing.
Soups are very easy to make. A few sweet potatoes, an onion and some peppers. Boil them until soft (which also creates its own stock) and then blend with a hand-blender. All the vitamins never leave the cooking pot. Simply season with a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of turmeric. Yum! I made a batch a few days ago – got 9 servings out of one pot. Cost left that £5. I have a few single servings in the freezer.
In fact (I believe), a freezer is great for not wasting food.
A few years ago, I stopped eating take-out pizza and started making my own pizza dough for weekend treats. I invested in a bread-maker machine, which means I also make all my own bread fresh, as and when I need it. No store-bought bread sitting in the cupboard waiting to be used or going mouldy. No waste, and fills with house with that lovely freshly baked bread smell.
Cleaning with vinegar and baking soda is a great idea, but make sure you use distilled white vinegar – not malt vinegar. Malt vinegar will leave a strong smell behind, and can stain, whereas (in my experience) distilled vinegar cleans and evaporates without leaving a trace.
Distilled vinegar, on its own, is great for cleaning your washing machine, too. Flushes out the gunk, and rids the smells. For the same reason, vinegar is great for cleaning drains and deodorising toilet areas. (more ideas for vinegar here: http://www.vinegartips.com )
I love the idea of minimalising life. Less fuss, less clutter. My motto is always “must have a function.” If the purpose of an object is only to fill space, look pretty and be yet another item which will need cleaning/dusting, then it isn’t worth it.
I’ve recently caught onto the idea of ‘Upcycling’ – taking old items and give them new life. I have a bag full of all clothes I intend to patch together to make a bed-throw. A sort of ‘memory throw’ – as each patch of fabric will have a memory attached to it.
Robert, such excellent ideas here! I’ll note down your soup recipe for future use. I also find that buying a bag (about $2 in Australia for 500g) of mixed beans makes a terrific soup, if you add a bit of black pepper, chilli powder and mixed herbs. I add about half a packet into a pot of boiling water, leave it to cook, and it lasts for about 2-3 days. So that’s another cheap alternative!
You’ve also inspired me to check out ‘upcycling’ – I love the idea of re-purposing old items. It seems such a waste to spend so much money on clothing which you’ll just end up throwing away after a year of use.
Thank you once again Robert!
Just follow the example of Christopher Knight aka ‘The North-Pond Hermit.’
I know it”s off-topic,but I just had to say how much I enjoyed reading your book.Very early-era Colin Wilson,I thought;his debut,especially.
Thank you Richard! I’ve never heard of Christopher Knight, but thank you for the recommendation!