TLC's Extreme Cheapskates

[Sam_2.0]

Featured my hometown this evening. So proud... ;D I am really, honestly surprised that my dad was not on the show!

[pammy831]

I thought the idea of using the lint to start a fire was a really good one! My cousin told me she saw the same idea on Pinterest too. I'm just honestly surprised that that guy agrees to have a dryer. I figured he'd want to hang everything on a line to dry.

As for the goat's head, I'll pass!!!

[Sam_2.0]

Yeah, I had to stop watching at that point. Too much for me! At least he could have boiled off the meat and made chili or something (yes, my dad has done that with deer that he hunts - nothing goes to waste! And I always pass when he offers chili.....)

[twinmama85]

Jan 10, 2012 22:59:33 GMT -5 @toughtimes said:

I always wonder about these crazies. New and creative uses for lint when you could use a clothes line? Screwing over restaurants and fellow patrons by stealing condiments when you could cook at home? For Pete's sake.

I kind of agree with you, especially if people take huge amounts of condiments. That stuff may be "free" for you, but it isn't for the restaurant and if it gets out of hand, they are going to raise their prices to offset the cost of ketchup lol.

[sheilaincali]

They are advocating theft as a way to be thrifty? huh, guess it's ok to rob a bank so long as I take a bus there to cut down on my fuel consumption.

They are going to eventually charge for condiments at restaurants. They do in Europe- when we stopped at a McD's in Germany we had to pay for ketchup (like $0.05 a pack or something). Don't judge me for eating at McD's while overseas. When you are traveling with a 3 year old in Germany for a month sometimes they just want to eat something simple and comforting.

[bluecluessubtlety]

Sheila, I would ONLY go to a foreign country that has a McDonald's.

My exH used to get coffee out every day and they'd hand him 3 packets of Equal. He only used one. I went to his office one day and he had a full grocery bag of Equal. We didn't buy any for a long time.

My dad used to bring home handfuls of ketchup packets from fast food places though and it always annoyed me. I'll spring for the bottle dad, thanks.

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Jan 11, 2012 10:02:56 GMT -5 sheilaincali said:

Don't judge me for eating at McD's while overseas. When you are traveling with a 3 year old in Germany for a month sometimes they just want to eat something simple and comforting.

Hey, the McDonalds was the only place we found a free bathroom in Venice! It was a lifesaver, plus they had air-conditioning and ice in their drinks. ;D

We chatted with a family in Venice one evening over dinner who were ecstatic about the restaurant. They'd eaten there two nights in a row so far, not because of the beautiful canal-side view but because the restaurant offered mac-n-cheese for their little one. They'd been struggling to find things she'd eat for their entire European vacation.

[sheilaincali]

Yeah- we had a great time on that trip (the in-laws used to live in Germany). But it was difficult finding things for DS to eat sometimes. He was pretty good but every so often he would get a little overwhelmed and just want what in his mind was "normal food". Yup- chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, etc.

The no ice thing was the hardest adjustment to me. I could take not understanding the language but who drinks luke warm soda?

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Jan 11, 2012 11:24:48 GMT -5 sheilaincali said:

The no ice thing was the hardest adjustment to me. I could take not understanding the language but who drinks luke warm soda?

I've heard a couple of explanations. One was that they don't get free refills as a rule, so they don't want to waste their money with a glass full of ice. Another explanation involved Europeans having to carve and carry ice down from the Alps, so I'm pretty sure that one wasn't reliable! ;D

I dunno, I never truly got it either!


ETA: We just started drinking their beer and wine anyways, so it didn't matter! When in Rome, right?

[bluecluessubtlety]

The no ice theories: andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/2011/08/why-do-europeans-hate-ice-ctd.html

[shelly527in]

Jan 11, 2012 10:02:56 GMT -5 sheilaincali said:

They are advocating theft as a way to be thrifty? huh, guess it's ok to rob a bank so long as I take a bus there to cut down on my fuel consumption.

They are going to eventually charge for condiments at restaurants. They do in Europe- when we stopped at a McD's in Germany we had to pay for ketchup (like $0.05 a pack or something). Don't judge me for eating at McD's while overseas. When you are traveling with a 3 year old in Germany for a month sometimes they just want to eat something simple and comforting.

Some McDonald's aready charge for extra sauce. I like sweet and sour sauce on my grilled chicken instead of mayo. If you don't buy the McNuggets, it'd like 15 cents a piece.

[Deleted]

Jan 11, 2012 11:17:27 GMT -5 Rocky Mtn Saver said:

Jan 11, 2012 10:02:56 GMT -5 sheilaincali said:

Don't judge me for eating at McD's while overseas. When you are traveling with a 3 year old in Germany for a month sometimes they just want to eat something simple and comforting.

Hey, the McDonalds was the only place we found a free bathroom in Venice! It was a lifesaver, plus they had air-conditioning and ice in their drinks. ;D

We chatted with a family in Venice one evening over dinner who were ecstatic about the restaurant. They'd eaten there two nights in a row so far, not because of the beautiful canal-side view but because the restaurant offered mac-n-cheese for their little one. They'd been struggling to find things she'd eat for their entire European vacation.

We really are ugly Americans, aren't we?

[shelly527in]

Jan 11, 2012 11:24:48 GMT -5 sheilaincali said:

Yeah- we had a great time on that trip (the in-laws used to live in Germany). But it was difficult finding things for DS to eat sometimes. He was pretty good but every so often he would get a little overwhelmed and just want what in his mind was "normal food". Yup- chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, etc.

The no ice thing was the hardest adjustment to me. I could take not understanding the language but who drinks luke warm soda?

I guess I do... I don't like ice in my drinks because it's 3/4 ice and only a little Diet Coke, plus it gets watered down. I don't want to pay $1 and up for ice!

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Jan 11, 2012 12:09:28 GMT -5 bluecluessubtlety said:

The no ice theories: andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/2011/08/why-do-europeans-hate-ice-ctd.html

Interesting!

[sheilaincali]

We really are ugly Americans, aren't we?

We home-based at the In Laws and traveled from there to several other countries on mini trips. In the other countries they would speak to us in German assuming we were German not American. Once we would politely say "do you speak English?" they were shocked we were American. We tried to down play the American Tourist thing as much as possible so we didn't perpetuate the stereotypes

[leanna]

Jan 11, 2012 11:11:22 GMT -5 bluecluessubtlety said:

My dad used to bring home handfuls of ketchup packets from fast food places though and it always annoyed me. I'll spring for the bottle dad, thanks.

LOL. Seriously, I've got a couple free bottles of ketchup. And, even if I had to buy it, you're talking about a couple of dollars.

As far as the show...I have a feeling the guy bought the goat's head for the t.v. effect. Because, seriously, $7+ buys you chicken or beef for 2 - you don't need to buy goat's head!

And the guy eating off of people's plates ... I was actually embarrassed for him. And I'm not too easily embarrassed or bothered by things. But, really, that was icky on so many levels. Besides it being tacky, I was grossed out over the idea of eating stranger's food. They could be sick. I guess they wouldn't phase the guy though - he'd somehow figure out how to get free health care.

[leanna]

Just came across this article about taking condiment packets:

eatocracy.cnn.com/2012/01/12/why-your-grandma-steals-sugar-packets/?iref=obnetwork

[xia]

Jan 11, 2012 11:24:48 GMT -5 sheilaincali said:

Yeah- we had a great time on that trip (the in-laws used to live in Germany). But it was difficult finding things for DS to eat sometimes. He was pretty good but every so often he would get a little overwhelmed and just want what in his mind was "normal food". Yup- chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, etc.

The no ice thing was the hardest adjustment to me. I could take not understanding the language but who drinks luke warm soda?

Actually the way it has been explained to me in several European countries is that if you ask for lets say 16oz (or whatever the standard size locally is) soda they must sell you 16oz of “actual” soda not watered down. Adding ice to a drink is considered watering it down to make more profits and is illegal.

However you can still have your ice soda. I have never has issues getting ice cold beverage, you just have to specifically ask for it. Depending on country they will either take you asking for ice in your soda as an ok to water down your drink and sell you soda with the ice in it or they will give you another cup filled with ice only (this we have encountered more often) and it’s your job to combine it. Hence you still get the asked for 16oz of actual soda they are charging you for.

In some countries we seen soda with ice and soda listed as two separate items, again ordering the one with ice you are giving a consent to have your drink watered down.

Similarly, those little lines printed about a centimeter or so from top of beer-glass indicates where draft beer should stop a foam start. Again so you know barkeep is not cheating you.

[thyme4change]

Because, seriously, $7+ buys you chicken or beef for 2

Actually, $7 could buy you chicken or beef for at least 4. I use the rule of thumb of 1/4 lb of meat per person. That is still over the recommended 3 oz, but it is a lot easier to calculate.

[thyme4change]

However you can still have your ice soda. I have never has issues getting ice cold beverage, you just have to specifically ask for it.

You did better than me. I would ask for water. I would ask for ice water. I would ask for a cup of ice. I never got anything more than 2 ice cubes and lukewarm water. There was no ice machine in the hotel we stayed in either - so I couldn't even get relief when I went to bed at night.

[mizbear]

Where I live in MD- they only charge for more than the standard amount of sauce with your McNuggets (however many packs you are supposed to get per order)- but when they first came out when I was a kid- they charged for every stinking packet!

I get totally embarrassed of people who take all of the condiments, etc. Maybe it's from waiting tables- I don't know.

[Agatha]

Feb 7, 2012 12:43:35 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

However you can still have your ice soda. I have never has issues getting ice cold beverage, you just have to specifically ask for it.

You did better than me. I would ask for water. I would ask for ice water. I would ask for a cup of ice. I never got anything more than 2 ice cubes and lukewarm water. There was no ice machine in the hotel we stayed in either - so I couldn't even get relief when I went to bed at night.

Ice in drinks was a puzzlement to me, too, when I went to England. "But it's quite chilled" they would say when I asked for ice with my drink. I finally got where I would order a pint of ice and a bottled soft drink. I never got a full pint of ice but it was at least half full.

Then I formulated my own hypothesis based on anecdotal evidence. While sitting at the table and observing my fellow drinkers at the bar I noticed all the Americans, like me, were sipping their drinks as they "nattered" with their companions. The natives were drinking (whatever they drank) at a much faster rate. What took me thirty minutes to drink took them less than ten.

Light-bulb moment! Of course all the drinks remained "chilled" for at least ten minutes. Naturally mine was going to be warm if still in the glass after twenty. I just shook my head and ordered another pint of ice. Ah, summertime in England on the Irish Sea.

[swtchks98]

The Mc Donald's in our area already charges for dip.

[ugga81]

I think the main problem I had with the show was when the guy went dumpster diving for flowers for his wife's 20th anniversary present and then went and bought her animal crackers, a bottle of water, and some sort of weird toy and called it good. I know it's "the thought" that counts but while I could be cheap on stuff for myself I don't think I could do that to someone I love. I never could make it 20 years with that man!

[Agatha]

Feb 16, 2012 14:55:44 GMT -5 ugga81 said:

I think the main problem I had with the show was when the guy went dumpster diving for flowers for his wife's 20th anniversary present and then went and bought her animal saltines, a bottle of water, and some sort of weird toy and called it good. I know it's "the thought" that counts but while I could be cheap on stuff for myself I don't think I could do that to someone I love. I never could make it 20 years with that man!

It's mean but the first thought that comes to my mind is I would crumble all the crackers onto his side of the bed and soak his head with the bottle of water. The toy? Depends on size, shape, and ability to make noise. Various things come to mind.