People who are extremely frugal treat every penny like it’s precious, and being cheap becomes their entire lifestyle. Some people enjoy spending what they earn on quality things, but cheapskates avoid expenses whenever they can. They’ll stretch a dollar as far as possible—even if they’re financially comfortable. Chances are, you’ve met someone like this. They hunt for bargains, reuse everything, and avoid unnecessary spending in any way they can.
For them, the goal isn’t just saving money—it’s getting the absolute most out of every purchase. And of course, everyone enjoys getting something free: a pen, a coffee, a shampoo sample. But if you’ve never encountered someone truly stingy, get ready—because these kids shared the wildest stories about growing up with extremely cheap parents. Their comments have been cleaned up for clarity.
1. My dad’s “genius” free soap strategy (u/deleted)
When my father moved into his new house, someone came to show him how to install an under-sink water filter. During the demonstration, the man used a bar of soap, then left it behind. My dad realized he could get a free bar each time. So he called at least four different companies for a “free installation demo,” never once planning to install the filter. This was just the start—his behavior like this has only gotten worse with age. I never stopped him.
2. My dad’s unusual rule about paper towels (u/TheCommonStew)
My dad saves paper towels like gold. Even at 21, I had to ask permission to use them because he didn’t want them “wasted.” For years, I assumed the rolls cost $100 each. He always buys the cheapest version of everything—even if it breaks immediately—so in the end, he’s actually spending more.
One day, my girlfriend and I accidentally spilled an entire gallon of milk on his kitchen floor. She grabbed a roll of paper towels to clean it up. When my dad found out we used a whole roll, he was so shocked and disappointed that I felt guilty for cleaning the mess. He was too polite to scold my girlfriend, but you could see the sadness in his eyes over the “lost” roll.
3. My dad’s extreme money-saving habits (u/notronbro)
Oh my gosh, dads can be the worst with this. Mine dries all his clothes outside to avoid the electric bill—even in the freezing winter. When my sisters and I cleaned our rooms, he would dig through our trash hunting for “treasures” like coins or cardboard.
He’s obsessed with gas prices. Once, I sat with him for half an hour while he drove around town searching for the cheapest station. He also coasts down hills by shifting the car into neutral, opening the door, and pushing the car with his foot. We once went to Burger King, but he only let me order chicken fries because “burgers are too expensive.”
4. Respect the return policy (u/halfadash)
My dad takes full advantage of Costco’s generous return policy. He once brought back a set of outdoor chairs we’d owned for eight years. They were faded, broken, and worn out—but Costco still accepted the return. He used the refund to buy a brand-new patio set from the same store. Unreal.
5. My grandmother’s legendary thriftiness (u/Acetylene)
As a kid, I stayed with my grandparents over the summer. One of my chores was setting the dinner table. When guests came, I had to use “the good napkins”—the ones without restaurant logos. My grandmother only went to restaurants if she felt she could get something out of it. She used coupons, brought home food and napkins in her oversized purse, and only agreed to eat somewhere with a salad bar.
For her birthday one year, my mom and I wanted to treat her to dinner—but we had to drive over an hour just to find a Sizzler where she wasn’t banned.
6. Living with giant toilet paper rolls
My dad found a shop that sells the huge industrial rolls of toilet paper—the ones you see in public restrooms. He thought they were a brilliant deal and stocked our house with them. I never felt more embarrassed than when friends asked why our bathroom was stocked like a shopping mall.
7. My grandmother’s unbeatable Sears warranty (u/stone_opera)
When my grandparents married in the late 1940s, they registered at Sears. At the time, most items came with a true “lifetime warranty.” Over the years, my grandmother kept every single box and warranty slip. She has moved nearly ten times and still has them all.
About two years ago, I went with her to Sears to exchange her old iron—using the original 1940s paperwork. To everyone’s shock, they actually honored the warranty and gave her a brand-new iron. She’s been so frugal she hasn’t bought a new appliance in almost 60 years. She came from Ukraine and always says, “Lifetime guarantee means lifetime guarantee.” No wonder Sears is struggling—women like her are using those old promises forever.
8. My dad’s “money-saving” house ended up costing more
My dad is incredibly cheap. When buying a house, he only looked at the price tag. In our area, a nice home cost around $110,000 at the time. He bought the worst house available for $89,000.
It was built in 1947 and clearly by someone as cheap as him. Every window and door was different. The siding still contained asbestos. Inside, nothing was finished. No interior doors except a bathroom door that didn’t even lock. No kitchen drawers or counters. The living room floor was bare plywood. He thought he saved $21,000, but he’s spent far more trying to fix it ever since.
9. Cheap ways to stay cool
I grew up in Georgia, where summers are brutally hot. My dad refused to turn on the AC unless the temperature outside was over 100°F. He bought Styrofoam boards covered with foil that we had to tape to every window and door “to keep the heat out.”
Our town also has a spring where people fill water jugs for free. Kids would line up with small containers, and moms brought pitchers. Meanwhile, there was my dad filling thirty-two 5-gallon jugs “in case the spring dries up tomorrow.”
10. Poor girl (u/deleted)
My parents owned lots of nice things, but I didn’t. After my grandmother passed away, they took my inheritance and never told me. All they gave me every year was a $50 Walmart card. I didn’t even have a phone.
Meanwhile, they bought luxury cars and vacationed in the Maldives.
Then one day, while they were on a cruise, I received a letter marked, “Do not open while they are home.” I waited until the house was empty, opened it, and found a message that changed everything.
“Hi Mary, this is your real father. I haven’t seen you in years. I’ve been working to recover the inheritance your grandmother left you. Come to the address listed—it’s time to take back what’s yours and start a better life.”