The Elite Forum
Nonsense Time => FFA => Topic started by: Jimbo on February 08, 2015, 12:04:12 am
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Alright so I've been inspired to list some of the things that make me so cheap. Most of the Elite is pretty frugal, but lets discuss who is the MOST frugal.
**OFFICIAL FRUGALITY LIST**
- No cable since 2011, stream everything (UFC, Monday Night Football, Thursday Night Football, Brewers Baseball)
- "New Customer" rate cable internet, threatened to cancel multiple times to cut my rate down
- Shop at Aldi's and Walmart only for groceries and other things.
- Pack own lunch for work, make my own soda
- Owns a trailer, pay only $227 a month plus other utilities for "lot rent" versus property tax or actual apartment rent
- Drives a 21 year old car, purchased in 2008 with 60K miles on it. Dat 1994 Buick Roadmaster Wagon (Corvette V8 power baby)
- Drives a MOPED in decent weather
- Turns off all heat at night in any temperature
- Has all low-energy bulbs in every socket, received as a birthday gift in 2012
- ~50% off all furniture through work, most gotten for free in work donate pile
- Rachel helps with massive savings through rigorous coupon clipping
- Bought engagement ring during Black Friday sale (planned for weeks)
- Just dominated a thrift shop TODAY for shorts for work, an ugly sweater, and a few other appliances (small pie maker, etc)
- Used eBay for everything
- Always buys used/refurb if possible
- Always buys generic brand (except Ketchup)
- Do not drink, do not smoke
- No insurance of any kind* (health, car, homeowners - this is the big kicker)
- Use company work truck when applicable for transportation
- Only goes out to eat when coupon is available
- Attends Virginia meets for less than $200 every year
(In total, my bills only total up to about 30% of my total income. Rachel might change this however, :kappa: :kappa: :nesquik: )
**STUFF I SPEND EXTRA ON**
- Smart phone with unlimited data ($90/mo)
- Rachel, sometimes
- Toilet paper
- Personal hygiene (deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, etc)
- Sporting events (Packers and Brewers games)
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This honestly sounds intelligent and odds are I'll do similar stuff when I have my own place. I'm seriously considering buying a vacant lot for $20-30k and building my own 30'x30' cabin with recycled and excess materials on it. Natural gas fireplace for heat (the cheapest heat possible) and re-purposed doors & windows. That's the dream.
I do still spend a lot on certain things (dropped $400 on video recording equipment this week) but that's the beauty of being wise with money; the ability to spend it on decent things.
Canada is expensive as fuck and doing what sheep do, moving out downtown and working, expenses would be around $3500-4000/month. Literally impossible to save any money that way and you're a slave to the system.
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I only get my hair cut once every 3-4 months to save money.
The thermostat never goes beyond 63 degrees Fahrenheit (17C) during the winter.
I rarely ever spend money. I just hoard every single dollar I earn.
-Had the same pair of shoes for 4 years. The soles were incredibly worn down.
That's all I can think of for now. It's going to be hard to top Jim's OP. That's some hardcore saving.
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I forgot about shoes. I spent a good chunk of money on some high end work boots to keep my feet warm for winter, about $100 or so, but only buy the same $30 white pair of Dr Scholls shoes since 2012. I get about six months out of those shoes.
I also spend more on keeping my place COOL on the summer; I will not sweat in bed.
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I rarely call so I have a tracfone for $7/month. Just have to buy a $20 card every 3 months. (was a $10 phone too for like 6 years but I did upgrade that thing eventually) Blows my mind all the people who don't use it much and pay $100/mo.
I pay up for the $50+ shoes because I usually get over a year with them rather than the 3 months tops with the cheap ones.
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-No cable for years
-No cellphone
-No vehicle
-Don't drink or smoke
-Most of my entertainment is online, video games, and hanging with friends
-Rarely go out to eat
-Big on thrifting for clothes (though I don't mind spending a little extra for quality)
-Bring my own food to work
-Live at home while paying off my student loans/saving up
-Haven't traveled in years and not super interested in it, at least not right now
-Arrr matey!
-No plans for children in my life
-Minimalistic
Things I don't cheap out on
-Food
-Furniture
-Computer stuff (though I'm not excessive with accessories of any kind)
-Anything else that's a part of my life every day
I'm a pretty frugal person, but I do want a quality life, so I eat and exercise well, and like to look nice. I've always been stingy financially, but since moving to Vancouver, even moreso now. Ideally in a few years, I'll have a studio apartment with the few things I do have, no debt, and living a happy and quiet life. Until I get hitched anyway. :v
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- save fuel by going at moderate speed, avoiding irrel places/meetings, never running the AC
- no smoking/drinking
- rarely buy food from cafeteria even if I reach home by 6pm
- no tipping when I order McDonalds Milkshake :kappa:
- I don't really order food anymore... waste of money these days
- $10 internet/monthly :kappa:
- always close fans/bulbs/etc. when they aren't in use.. I'm careful with that stuff
- 3 cars
- lots of Nike shoes... also want to buy the Air Max 2015 iD soon. They just look really cool and are more reliable (all of my old shoes ripped within a year)
- expensive clothes. Also a decent watch, bag, etc. appearance is pretty important imo
- 3 phones, tablet + 2 computers
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I have no idea how to feel about everyone being proud cheapskates
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- Never had a cell phone
- Never had cable/dish etc.
- Got Jimbo beat in car (Mine is a '91 Accord I've owned since 2000)
- Ride bike to work (all year) to save on gas
- Bought two pairs of shoes in 2008 (buy one, get second half-off). Just started wearing the second pair last year.
- Once lived on $50 of food for the month, as an experiment.
- Pack lunch to work
- Thermostat stays around 82 in summer, 58 in the winter
- Built rain water barrels in back yard out of 550 gal. tanks for watering the garden
- Negotiated with Internet company for keeping my rates low when they went up.
- Do my own plumbing, house-repair.
- Never bought furniture (all hand-downs)
- Buy almost all clothes at thrift store
- Buy almost all games on Ebay months later
- Use the public library for nearly all books and movies
- No smoking/drinking
And have no debt, we're actually doing quite well financially but enjoy being frugal and saving for other things.
Surprised that both Jimbo and Ace said they don't drink. I don't either (tried several brands, didn't find anything enjoyable about it and it was more costly than soft drinks). What are your reasons?
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Dumping money to:
- Too much takeout food >_<
- Biweekly lunch out and starbucks with sister :p
- Bought some pokemon toys this month
- Probably overlooking several other spots where I can save money
Cheapskate:
- Drug/alcohol/smoke-free as well! ;)
- Using my own clippers for haircut (everyone who doesnt do this CANNOT call themselves cheap)
- Cheap, simple, no-brand clothes/shoes
- Working out at home (I don't wanna get a enormous body anyway)
- Cardboard furniture for videogames/light things in general
(https://forums.the-elite.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi477.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr138%2FJoao794%2Fsurface2minethrow%2F1eaea189-3ace-4bdb-b657-3de36f058b5b_zps07bjmi1d.jpg&hash=256d9f582ffee46aa7f2c29a2dcb4df2e7d02643)
Computer hardware, internet, electricity, speedrunning stuff are the main things that I don't care about spending money into.
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Oh yeah, forgot that I cut my own hair too.
Cool cardboard furniture. Uberghetto. :)
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The Throne Has Been Abdicated
(https://forums.the-elite.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.upload.speedrunwiki.com%2Fimages%2Fgeneral%2FJimGuzzlesGas.jpg&hash=66fa3b51495fd3ded1df22dda47d9db6f2db9a02)
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Yeah I kinda splurged on a car I've wanted for years.
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Jimbo! And you call yourself a cheapskate? For shame!
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Gonna be ridic when jimbo has the most expensive car of the group but yet being out he'll try to spend the least out of everyone.
forgot to mention slickdeals.net in the thread
I have bookmarked since it tends to have the best sales online on it.
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I am currently finishing my last year of high school. I have a job which allows me to spend money freely (buy clothes, fund GDQs, currently saving up for a car, etc.), but a lot of my living expenses are paid for by my parents. In a year or two when this is no longer the case and I can't just piss away my money on whatever-the-fuck, how should I change my spending habits? Although it is unlikely I will go to extremes such as making my own soda or not having insurance (Jimbo what the fuck man), I would appreciate any practical frugality tips for a future college student.
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Will you be living on campus (dorms) or off? I actually bought a cheap house and had two roommates. Their monthly rent (to me) completely paid for the mortgage payment so I was able to live there for "free" basically, while building up equity in a home. I was slightly older than you are though.
The biggest expense you'll have will probably be eating out. That can rack up the bills very fast. Limit yourself to something like once a week, twice a week.
I'm not a ramen guy so I loved my Foreman grill. I'd throw a couple of hotdogs on there, a couple of pre-made Walmart patties, some frozen burritos, or I'd make myself a big pot of spaghetti and eat that for a few days. Quick and simple and cheap.
Perhaps the best overall thing is to make a monthly budget on various expenses and stick to it. That way you know exactly how much you're spending on everything and whether you're spending too much.
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- have a car but barely use it
- drive ecologically
- don't smoke or use tobacco in any way and never will
- don't take drugs and never will
- don't purchase films anymore (though I tend to buy a few blu-rays every now and then). I already have over 2500 films in my collection.
- don't use Netflix or any other streaming service and would rather kill myself before using it
- don't spend much money on clothes and stuff. Buying clothes is excruciatingly boring to me so whenever I buy clothes, I buy a lot.
- not really a subscriber on anything atm, and seldom buy newspapers/magazines. Also I can only choose between 4 or 5 different channels on the TV, but it's not like I watch a lot of TV anyway.
- do not own any other video game or console beside GE/PD (and Star Wars Rogue Squadron). The PD PAL cart I've been playing on isn't even mine, but Stefan's. Nor is the expansion pak for that matter (I "borrowed" it from an old friend I haven't seen in 5 years). Also, I have never had more than 2 functional controllers in my possession.
- drink coffee but only for free/when it's included
- furniture
- unplug and shut down everything whenever I go away for a few days
- do all my exercise outside the gym
- have never been to a hairdresser
Stuff I spend a lot of cash on:
- books
- computer stuff
- Internet
- smart phone
- TVs. Somehow I own two 50" TVs, two blu-ray players and two DVD-players (one of them is a DVR) and also a 17" TV that I play on.
- food
- drinks
- betting, although I only really place bets during World Cup/Euro
- donations and incentives
- travel
- collecting elements
- friends
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- Never use laundry detergent, cold water is good enough
- only wash clothes once a year
- walk everywhere, if it's too far to walk, I run
- food is free if you know where to look
- regift birthday cards
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Sorry for the late reply Shadow, I just saw your question now.
I don't drink or smoke because there's no reason to. Never had any interest in those things. Them being detrimental to health is another factor too. Also they're unnecessarily expensive. Why would I waste money on them when I could get other quality products much cheaper?
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Great tips Eric, have you considered any of the following? Some of these have really helped me out when I've been in an economical bind.
-never have a girlfriend, best friend, or any close acquaintances
-if you have crippling anxiety or severe clinical depression, don't pay for expense therapists or antidepressant medication, just kill yourself
-never pay for water, instead just collect rainwater or drink your own filtered urine during the dry season (use a coffee filter)
-come to church on the first Sunday of every month for communion (free wine/crackers/coffee/donuts)
-don't ever have a job, this typically will put you into a higher tax bracket and make you less eligible for welfare (free money)
-buy 15 cent generic salt
-if you're ever in the mood for wine, simply leave a glass of OJ out of the fridge for ~2 months (at this point it will be tastefully fermented)
-donate sperm/blood until losing more of either would result in death every day
-do not own a home, if you do only buy one light bulb and carry it from room to room
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in college it's nearly impossible to be economically wise. You are going to have nights when idiot friends who are either rich or are stupid with money will force you out to some shitty club which costs $20 cover and $8 drinks. You are going to have times when you order $30 of pizza at 3am for no reason. The way society is designed these days, it's pretty much impossible to attend college and stay out of debt. The only way a young person can be fiscally independent is if they work blue collar jobs (like Jimbo) from when they're 18 years old and never take on any financial burden like college, until they're at least 25 years old and have been making fair money for a few years.
There really is no advice to give. Just be a tightwad and don't spend money on dumb shit like everyone else around you will be doing. Don't fail or get stressed either because you will want to be making at least $45-50k right out of college and make $100k before you're 35. Good luck.
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Great tips Eric, have you considered any of the following? Some of these have really helped me out when I've been in an economical bind.
-never pay for water, instead just collect rainwater or drink your own filtered urine during the dry season (use a coffee filter)
-if you're ever in the mood for wine, simply leave a glass of OJ out of the fridge for ~2 months (at this point it will be tastefully fermented)
-donate sperm/blood until losing more of either would result in death every day
-do not own a home, if you do only buy one light bulb and carry it from room to room
*thumbs up*
Axel why in the WORLD would you kill yourself before using Netflix/HBO Go/Amazon Prime streaming? Because you won't watch movies if they're not in pristine BluRay quality? Those kind of streaming services used to be lower quality it's true but these days they look really good if you've got enough bandwidth to support it. Generally they don't have much to offer in terms of good movie selections though, so guess in that respect it's not worth it since you're not so much a TV show person.
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-donate sperm/blood until losing more of either would result in death every day
Woody, Luke and I had a hilarious discussion the other day about how I should donate my sperm to raise money for a SNES and Super Metroid.
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- regift birthday cards
In the 2015 cheapskate metagame, it's optimal to be friends with people that are the same age and have the same name. Say Stoxen, when's your birthday? :v
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Why would I waste money on them when I could get other quality products much cheaper?
Agreed.
Taylor, you may have missed my post regarding your saving money in college. I agree with Goose though: the peer pressure to go to the bars every Thursday/Friday/Saturday, go out and "get a bite to eat" every day, is what will really kill your budget.
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Thanks Shadow and Goose for the advice, I can see already how it's just the small purchases that add up quickly that really kill you financially. It's hard because it doesn't seem like a lot at the time but hopefully I can be mindful of not being an idiot with my $$
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I got a blue collar job right out of high school and worked full time/lived with parents until I was 21, and then went after my Bachelors degree which I never needed a loan for. (Savings + federal tax grants). I graduated 3 years later with ~$22,000 still in savings and just 3 weeks ago finally hit $40,000 in savings. It was at that moment that it was time to buy my perfect car.
Years of being cheap / efficient add up to a lot of money. You'll be fine Taylor if you cook your own meals :)
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Warren Buffet has some famous advice "watch the small transactions." I'm pretty guilty of throwing $4 on pizza and $2 on hot beverages almost daily and that adds up to like $120 over the course of a month. $120 in savings for a year is $1440, and imagine that in a savings account 5 years ago. Yeah it's a tough life.
I'm pretty jealous America has 2 and 3 year "Bachelor's Degrees." So nice. People laugh when I tell them that realistically you need to be making $100k to even begin to be able to live independently in Toronto, but it's true. One of the best things you can do financially is move to a cheap LOCATION, especially if your work allows for it (though this advice isn't relevant to Taylor yet.)
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- cook own food with mostly cheap ingredients (takeout/fast food is simply too expensive in Switzerland. A bigmac is ~6.50$ for example)
- pirate everything except stuff that's really important to me
- go out at evenings seldomly
- cheap apartement
- non-needy girlfriend (very important for frugality)
- buy clothes rarely
- don't drink really
The only big spenders I have is cigarettes, light drugs and the gym, the latter costing me like 900 a year, but it's worth it.
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Can't take money with you when you die, so I spend it on things to make me happy while I can enjoy it.
Guess we'll see who's first at the end of our lives
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Can't take money with you when you die, so I spend it on things to make me happy while I can enjoy it.
Guess this is not a very popular believe to live by in this community, but I for one absolutely share this view. Guess it's the trick no notice the difference between spending and being stupid.
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Can't take money with you when you die, so I spend it on things to make me happy while I can enjoy it.
Judging by the amount of people who're proud cheapskates I guess this is not a very popular believe to live by in this community, but I for one absolutely share this view. Guess it's the trick to notice the difference between spending and being stupid.
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Fuck this no edit forum and mobile posting combination :)
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Can't take money with you when you die, so I spend it on things to make me happy while I can enjoy it.
Guess we'll see who's first at the end of our lives
I like the way he/she thinks. I have no idea who he/she is but i agree with this. Enjoy life while you can man. Don't worry so much about money. Now that's not to say go ahead and overtly overdraw accounts. (Saving is good!) Whatever makes you happy, do it man. Maybe Jimbo enjoys saving money and it makes him happy. Go ahead but I'd say when I'm close to death I'd spend the money on something insane lol
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Savings is not how you make rel money anyway (unless obv you already have rel income)
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Savings is not how you make rel money anyway (unless obv you already have rel income)
No, but it's a great feeling to have the money to buy something you really like whenever you want :)