Extreme Cheapskates

[Gator Bait]

In the car, didn't the wife ask him to agree not to eat the food from other people's tables? I would rather think he was just going to feed it to the animals.

 

[Anjelica]

In the car, didn't the wife ask him to agree not to eat the food from other people's tables? I would rather think he was just going to feed it to the animals.

I don't know why I catch these things but if you notice during their conversation in the car (the one where he agrees to not take others food) she is wearing one thing (dressed up, etc.) but when they actually sit down in the restaurant she is not wearing the same outfit. I think those two scenes were shot on differing days but made to look like the same "event/evening".

 

[MrsPete]

I too was grossed out by this, BUT never in the show did it say he was taking it home for himself. They did say they have an animal shelter, so I wonder if he was using the leftovers to feed the animals instead of the food just going to waste.

Fair enough . . . but he certainly presented the question as if he was going to eat it himself. I think if he'd intended it to be for the animals, he would've said, "I have a dog rescue shelter. If you're not taking that home, could I have it for the animals?" People's reactions would've been different.

 

[DawnM]

So the guy went up to people's tables and just asked for their food?

I have never left food on my plate at a restaurant. I always ask for a box and save it for another meal. I would be very irritated if someone ask me for my food while I was trying to enjoy eating out.

Dawn

 

[CAFarmerGirl]

In the car, didn't the wife ask him to agree not to eat the food from other people's tables? I would rather think he was just going to feed it to the animals.

We won't even feed our pigs leftover food from strangers due to possible disease. It is also against the law in our state.

 

[momxx5]

My family watched the show.....the kids thought most of it was totally gross and the older boys thought most of it was done "just for the show".
Who knows??

I do know for a fact that for $7.50 you can get a nice sale at the real meat counter.....more than 1 pound of ground beef, a small roast or even a steak dinner. Add a $1 bag of salad mix and 2 potatoes and you have a real meal.....maybe even with some change to spare!!!

I cannot imagine how they can top this show.
Definately got everyone talking

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

One thing that I thought was interesting was when the "goat head guy" talked about how much money is saved by not owning a car and riding a bike instead. I know it's not a solution for everyone, but I think he makes a very good point about the money saved there.

I think the extremes some of these people go to draw the line between frugal and cheap. To me begging for ketchup packets is borderline stealing. And compromising my family's health with expired food or other's leftovers for the sake of saving a buck is just wrong.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

My 14yo ds and I were also baffled by the guy washing paper towels. What is the point to that? Why not just use cloth napkins?

 

[Gnomegirl]

I haven't read all of the replies and I haven't seen the show. but you know what - crap is crap. If it's from a baby or adult - still the same crap.

I think a lot about switching to cloth for the bathroom. I know a lot of people who use it and have paper for family members who don't. Yes I did cloth diaper. In fact I also made the cloth diapers for my children. I'm not crazy cheap but I am environmentally practical.

And as an aside - I have a degree in environmental science but because of I have children who I won't put in child care I work as a CNA wiping adult crap

 

[mjantz]

Of course, goat-guy didn't seem to grasp that sometimes new ideas can save money. He said that some years ago they'd agreed NOT to "up their lifestyle". That is, they agreed that they were at a comfortable position in life, and they didn't need to do any better -- the idea being that their salaries would continue to increase, but they would not upsize their house, would not upsize their cars, would not buy ipods and cell phones . . . in short, they'd not buy new things just because they were available. While that's not necessarily a bad idea, it's also not smart to make that a blanket decision. A couple things come to mind right away: I pay LESS now for my cell phone than I did for a landline years ago. Now that we can get RedBox movies, we pay LESS than we did back when we rented at Blockbuster. The internet allows me to find bargains to which I had no access years ago. Thanks to online banking, I no longer have to spend a stamp to mail in my bills. Yet he's decided to remain placidly "stuck" in a two-decades ago lifestyle because he's sure that everything new costs more.

I think this is an excellent point. I own all 3 of Amy Dycyzyns books (Tightwad Gazette author) & in the last one, from several years ago, she says that she doesn't think the Internet is something people need. I read an article about her from a few years ago & she said that part should be totally discounted as she uses the Internet every day. Netflix, eBay & other tools.
I'm frugal but I also own an iPhone. I don't consider the two mutually exclusive.

 

[Sagginit]

i was kinda grossed out. a few points, poop has ecoli in it, so you need to be very careful if you are reusing anyting with a significant amount of poop on it, as it can even spread in the wash. you would need to wash with the hottest water you can and bleach to be safe, so it seems pointless. it would make more sense if she used the rags for cleaning in place of papertowels or threw them out after one use.

also as for the food for the dogs. the stuff he was collecting is bad for them. things like salted french fries and salty pork products could actually kill a dog. i would think as a dog rescuer he wold know better.

its like extreme couponing. exaggerated and meant to shock audiences.

 

[Gnomegirl]

i was kinda grossed out. a few points, poop has ecoli in it, so you need to be very careful if you are reusing anyting with a significant amount of poop on it, as it can even spread in the wash. you would need to wash with the hottest water you can and bleach to be safe, so it seems pointless. it would make more sense if she used the rags for cleaning in place of papertowels or threw them out after one use.

You raise a valid point but people have been using cloth for literally generations. My DH is a director of health so we are pretty confident in out choices.

 

[WheelCEO]

Well the good news is that while there are crazy people in this world, the show is partially staged. I have an old employee whom is contracted to shoot for this show and a few others, and most of these scenarios were set up for the camera.