Are you frugal or a cheap b@$t@rd?

[Gumby]

We only got cable so we could have a cable modem for the computer. Now I have 108 channels that I don't watch; before I only had one channel to ignore. Although my current cultural knowledge is completely deficient, I don't regret not watching the TV. I would much rather read or waste my time here.

[Sue J]

Can you keep the cable modem internet service and drop the TV service? We used to have cable tv and cable modem internet and we switched our tv service to satellite but just kept the cable modem internet. Years ago you could save $5 a month by having both but there is no longer that discount.

This is with Time Warner Cable Roadrunner.

I wish we could go without any pay TV service. But I just love the Discovery Channels, Bravo, A&E, MSNBC, CNN and Court TV.

[youbet]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bosco since I can't get reception any other way where I live, I just think of TV as something you pay for.

Understood. I've lived in rural areas and understand your situation. Here in urbanville, we get 18 stations off the air without cable or satellite, so the temptation to watch too much tv is there regardless of whether you subscribe to cable/satellite or not. The 18 stations include all the networks, three PBS stations and a bunch of independents. PBS is the time killer for us. On Friday, there are several concert/music based shows like Austin City Limits and Soundstage. Sunday evening has several drama/mystery/comedy series we're hooked on.

We do our best to keep it under control and not waste too much time.

[bosco]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sue J Can you keep the cable modem internet service and drop the TV service?

the one time I did have cable, it was because they wouldn't give me cable modem service without it and DSL was not available. when I complained, the acted like cable tv was the "carrier" and I wouldn't complain about being made to get local phone service if I wanted long distance. Weird attitude.

Where I live now, there is no DSL, but I can purchase cable modem without cable TV and that's what I do.

[bosco]

Quote:

Originally Posted by youbet PBS is the time killer for us. On Friday, there are several concert/music based shows like Austin City Limits and Soundstage. Sunday evening has several drama/mystery/comedy series we're hooked on. We do our best to keep it under control and not waste too much time.

When I could get reception, I watched PBS. Austin City Limits was also a favourite. One thing about PBS, though--as its funding gets cut, the spiels between programs seem to resemble commercials more and more. Although not as long, one wonders how long before it's just another commercial network.

To get back on topic, I'll make a nomination for CB:

When I was in university, I lived with some guys who would bring a paper shopping bag into public toilet stalls and "milk" TP into the bag to avoid buying the stuff. To me this is over the top, and probably constitutes theft.

[W2R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bosco To get back on topic, I'll make a nomination for CB: When I was in university, I lived with some guys who would bring a paper shopping bag into public toilet stalls and "milk" TP into the bag to avoid buying the stuff. To me this is over the top, and probably constitutes theft.

Probably? What is the source of your doubt? :confused: I would think that the TP wasn't there for them to allow the general public to replenish their home supplies with as much free TP as they wanted - - it was there for people to use if needed in that facility.

[Culture]

There is a plethora of worthwhile shows on cable, leading with "How Things are Made" and "Dirty Jobs." I would also include "Boneyard" and "Modern Marvels" at the top of the list.

Ice Road Truckers, Deadliest Catch and Lobster Wars are not bad but all contain WAY to many episodes. Perhaps six of each would do.

Pretty much everything on Discovery and The History Channel is ok at a minimum.

[unclemick]

Yep - PBS, History, Discovery.

NOW! - somebody convince me - Football is not a drug, football is not a drug, football is not a drug.

heh heh heh heh heh heh -well at least soooo far not watching local High School Football on Friday night - like I did in Louisiana(Direct Tv)

[Meadbh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GatorBuzz Hair Cuttery. Fifteen bucks for the cut and two for the tip = 17.00. I could do some shopping, but the places I go to aren't exactly day spas. They're pretty low-rent. However, given the choice between a place that only charges five dollars and my wife cutting my hair, I think I'd actually feel safer having my wife do it.

My mom always used to cut my dad's hair (he was bald on top) and always did a very professional looking job.

[theoldwizard]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gumby We only got cable so we could have a cable modem for the computer.

If you have an "old fashion" "land line" telephone, check with your phone company about DSL. AT&T has some incredible deals !

Yes, it is slower than cable, but unless you do a lot of large downloads you probably won't notice the difference except for the money you save !

[skyline]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bosco the one time I did have cable, it was because they wouldn't give me cable modem service without it and DSL was not available. when I complained, the acted like cable tv was the "carrier" and I wouldn't complain about being made to get local phone service if I wanted long distance. Weird attitude. Where I live now, there is no DSL, but I can purchase cable modem without cable TV and that's what I do.

I don't know if they figured out how to fix this yet, but at least as of a few years ago, the cable companies had no way to disable the basic cable signal in their cable lines - which means that even if they sell you just the cable broadband w/o the cable TV, all you need to do is splice the line and feed it to your TV to get the basic cable service. Of course, that would be illegal...and you'd really only save a few bucks a month, but may be useful information for some of you out there

Ah, and yes, doing so would qualify you for being a CB!

[Sue J]

When we canceled our cable tv and kept just the cable modem service, they came out, climbed the pole in the back yard and installed a filter on our line. At least that's what they told us it was.......

[ShokWaveRider]

Frugal Yes! Cheap No!

[Gumby]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sue J When we canceled our cable tv and kept just the cable modem service, they came out, climbed the pole in the back yard and installed a filter on our line. At least that's what they told us it was.......

It was those nice men from the NSA.

[dandan14]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cj My other holiday issue over the past few years is the charity thing. I love to give to those less fortunate during the holidays, and have done this for a long time. But now it seems that every group of people (multiple church groups, work groups, even my weight-loss group) adopts a family or something, and all of a sudden there are dozens of worthwhile causes calling for attention. Like I said, I really believe in this, but the sheer numbers are getting out of hand. And if you opt not to support anyone's individual "cause", people think you are just cheap. Rant over! CJ

For the last few years, I've made a deal with my girlfriend. We buy each other a thoughtful gift of around $10 and then we make a donation together to a needy cause. There are several organizations that allow you to purchase animals/livestock for needy villages around the world.
As an alternative, I've recently discovered (recently meaning earlier this morning) that local foodbanks can purchase excess pallets of food by the pound. In my local case, they buy canned food for 18 cents per pound, and from what I saw it is brand name quality items. This is potentially a way to make a huge food donation that fits with my "dollar stretching" mindset.

[Fireup2020]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dandan14 I've recently discovered (recently meaning earlier this morning) that local foodbanks can purchase excess pallets of food by the pound. In my local case, they buy canned food for 18 cents per pound, and from what I saw it is brand name quality items. This is potentially a way to make a huge food donation that fits with my "dollar stretching" mindset.

Could you share the details? Sounds like a great idea!

[dandan14]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fireup2025 Could you share the details? Sounds like a great idea!

Our local foodbank makes their purchases through "America's Second Harvest" (secondharvest.org).

[free4now]

There's a fairly good article today on sfgate that explores the differences between the frugal and cheapskates:

MONEY TALES / Anatomy of a cheapskate

[waltwill8]

Fireup, That reminds me of a story I heard (no idea whether it's true) of a guy that got some huge amount of frequent flier miles (like a million) by buying pudding cups with a promotion, then donating them to a food shelf and taking the tax deduction.

How's this for frugal? I still use Managing Your Money 12 (for DOS)!

Too old and set in my ways, I guess. The only disadvantage is that it predicts my net worth in 2000!

[Khan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by waltwill8 Fireup, That reminds me of a story I heard (no idea whether it's true) of a guy that got some huge amount of frequent flier miles (like a million) by buying pudding cups with a promotion, then donating them to a food shelf and taking the tax deduction.

It's true:

Urban Legends Reference Pages: Pudding Air Travel Redemption