I’m sure we’re all well aware of the TLC show Extreme Couponing where people across the country are going to extreme measures to do their grocery shopping in a way that saves them more 80% of their bill. Some coupon full time. Most have stockpiles with dedicated shelves, organization systems, taking up garages and spare rooms. A few people have binders, folders, are part of coupon groups, or even go dumpster diving for store circulars. Regardless of how we felt, there was no question these couponers were saving major bucks every shopping trip.
Then there was High Stakes Sweepers, focusing on people who look for freebies from contests and sweepstakes to get the things they want and need. Whether it’s cars, trips, gadgets, or things you needed for a wedding, these people went above and beyond to hit it big. It sort of reminded me of gambling, since you’re leaving your winning up to chance, and I again saw people devoting hours of their time to save money in a variety of situations.
TLC did it yet again with a new show called Extreme Cheapskates. I tuned in the other night not exactly knowing what to expect. Seeing people spend hours clipping coupons and entering contests seemed as extreme as it got. Boy, was I wrong. These people aren’t just pinching pennies, they’re squeezing them. These tactics of outrageous frugality made my eyes get big, and they’re pretty big on their own. Sandy at Yes I Am Cheap was equally outraged at the mom who insisted her family not buy toilet paper, but instead, use reusable cloths to clean themselves after relieving themselves. It was at that point I could no longer watch. In case you missed it, here’s a clip:
So my question is when does being cheap go too far? At the Financial Blogger Conference, Ramit Sethi showed a video mocking extreme frugality with his LGRB Program (not real). It was talking about saving pennies instead of dollars, doing dumb things like making a blanket from dryer lint or using tree leaves as Kleenex. To me, these are the same measures these people on Extreme Cheapskates are going through. I may complain about going through tissue so quickly, but I’m not going to give it up to save a few bucks. It’s a “luxury” (if you can call it that) I’m fine with paying for.
So where do we draw the line? I believe the line between being frugal and being cheap is a lot thicker than TLC would like us to believe. Sharing a text book with a friend instead of you both buying your own copy is frugal. Cooking in batches and freezing the food for the future is frugal. Forgoing cable for shows on the Internet is frugal. However, you’re too cheap when you’re bumming your text book off your professor during their office hours. You’re too cheap when you don’t cook for yourself but always find yourself at your parent’s house for dinner. You’re too cheap if you’re watching your favorite TV show on your neighbor’s TV through their window. Do you see where I’m going here?
I wholeheartedly support people saving money where they can. When you cut your expenses you see your savings grow. However, there is a time when you can go too far. What are some of the cheapest things you’ve seen someone do? Where do you think the line is drawn?
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Now when someone accuses me of being cheap I can just point to that show and say, “No, that is cheap.” My frugality will never go to the level of not buying toilet paper. I get my toilet paper for free anyway so their method would cost me more money in addition to being gross.
‘It’s a “luxury” (if you can call it that) I’m fine with paying for.’ haha totally agree! I like what Young Family Finance said:” I’ve always felt like frugality was supposed to be about getting great value out of the money you spent; not spending as little money as possible. “
Wow. I can’t believe I haven’t heard of that show, I’m gonna have to check it out. Some people definitely take things too far, so far I’m not, so that’s good. I think it also matter whether or not they’re doing this crazy stuff because they can’t afford not to or because they’ve just gone too far. Crazy!
This question goes through my mind many times. I always strive not to be that person who doesn’t look out for others. With that being said, the toilet paper story is absolutely disgusting and ultimately too CHEAP!
I don’t get this. If you don’t want to pay for toilet paper, you can buy a bidet and install it off the water intake of your toilet. It’s a high up front cost but negligible after that and it’s cleaner (assuming you know how to wash your hands).
I watched the next video where the guy went to the butcher looking for cheap cuts of meat and he bought two goats heads for $7.50, but then he didn’t even know how to cook them. You can turn a goat’s head into a great meal by taking the brains out and making a brain curry or many other tasty dishes. But he just boiled the whole head in the water, seasoned them, and then baked them??? I don’t get that at all.
If you want to save money that’s fine, but at least do some research and learn how to save money while making your life better, instead of torturing yourself and your family.
It sounds like these couponing extremes are part of a hobby. It leads to devoting a lot of time and energy from other things in order to do this so I *hope* that it’s a hobby. For us, our insurance for saving money is trying to increase our streams of income while living really frugally. It’s worked so far. I would get frustrated spending that much time on coupons.
This is extreme frugality, going back a few centuries. Think about minimalists!
I think the line has to come when your quest for saving money comes at the expense of others, particularly family or friends. No one wants to be around the person that always forgets their wallet, always asks for someone to cover their bill or borrows all of their stuff.
When you’re cheapness is costing other people an arm and a leg, it’s too much.
I think the line is less about what people do to save money (because obviously, if they’re doing it, they are comfortable with it) and more about whether or not it hurts someone else. Frugal = saving money, often in an environmentally responsible way. Cheap = stealing from others (like ordering a water with lemon, and then using 18 packets of sugar from the table at a restaurant to make your own lemonade.)
I was watching a show about being too cheap the other day, and the guy was out to dinner, and asked OTHER people for their leftovers…gross and way over the line!
I’ve always felt like frugality was supposed to be about getting great value out of the money you spent; not spending as little money as possible. For example, I could take a few seconds and buy a good quality all purpose cleaner for value or I could not buy anything and never clean up anything in my house as a way to save on money, cheap.
Another distinction that is important. The difference between frugal and miser.
I am totally shocked.If somebody wants to save some money, I think it isn’t the best way to start it with the lack of toilet paper. Actually, toilet paper isn’t an expensive thing. She should try something else to save that money. Did she make some calculations anyway? How much money could she save with this stupid idea?
Wow…what an idiot…the lady in the video I mean. If she is a “middle class family with a good income” why the heck would she need to use cloths instead of toilet paper? Not only is that REVOLTING, but it’s downright ridiculous. I’d hate to be a guest at her house.
@Michelle: Exactly! These are all shock value shows instead of shows to show how to save money. It’s borderline exploitation.
I saw this show advertised but didn’t watch it. Seems like TLC is trying to go more and more extreme. What frustrates me most about shows like this and Extreme Couponing is that they don’t want to help people learn to save money; TLC just seems interested in the freak factor.