Talkin' Cheap on the TODAY Show

[kyounge1956]

Just reserved it at the library... yes, I am a cheapskate!

Library for me too. But the book could end up on my wish list and maybe someone will buy it for me for Christmas or my birthday. Then you'll sell a copy, even if not to me!

 

[FANOFJESUS]

Library but there are 25 cheapskates ahead of me at the library so it will be a while.

 

[haha]

My husband would admire your S.O. - it is a hunting/bringing home the game thing for him. He hasn't achieved that level of savings very often, but he did use coupons and sales to bag 4 cartons of ice cream for $1.00 once, and was proud as a peacock about it.

Amethyst

This is my problem with coupons. They enable you to buy even more of the very stuff that you would usually be better off leaving on the shelves. Not many coupons for wild salmon or sea scallops or beefsteak or fresh oranges.

I guess there may be for stuff like toothpaste and Kleenex and tp and tampons and stuff, but I find it less annoying to keep my eye out for these things on sale in the 3 or 4 supermarkets and drugstores in my walk distance.

Ha

 

[Moemg]

My library is so cheap they don't even have it so I might be #28 in your book sales .

 

[TromboneAl]

I saw a segment this morning on some show where a lady bought $130 worth of groceries for .89 cents. All items on sale and she had tons of coupons. Can't believe it included everything a person would actually need on a typical grocery run, but impressive to say the least.

I don't understand those segments. Coupons don't work for me around here. They are usually for the more expensive name brands, and the store brand is usually cheaper even after use of the coupon. I've never seen a "double coupon" offer at any store here.

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I did get about 6 things that were "Free after Rebate" at Ace hardware (things I'll actually use, like car wash). But I had to work for it. The online redemption didn't work, so I had to fill out the paper form with the tiny spaces for all the 12 digit UPC codes. Yuck.

 

[Dog]

Just read the book this weekend. Sorry....checked it out from the library. But, at least you know the libraries are purchasing the book!

 

[SecondCor521]

On hold at the library, #11 in the queue for book #2.

Pleased-as-punch recipient of an autographed copy of his first book from our meetup in DC a few years ago. Have read it several times over. Jeff's a great guy, and did a great job on the interview.

2Cor521

 

[Independent]

I don't understand those segments. Coupons don't work for me around here. They are usually for the more expensive name brands, and the store brand is usually cheaper even after use of the coupon. I've never seen a "double coupon" offer at any store here.

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I did get about 6 things that were "Free after Rebate" at Ace hardware (things I'll actually use, like car wash). But I had to work for it. The online redemption didn't work, so I had to fill out the paper form with the tiny spaces for all the 12 digit UPC codes. Yuck.

Same here. Does anyone have a list of specific brands and coupons that produced these big claimed savings?

 

[Orchidflower]

I don't know if Cheapskate didn't mention this out of modesty or what, but there is his big article in this month's AARP magazine. I just read it...being the loyal AARP card carrying member that I am. Interesting.

 

[Moemg]

Same here. Does anyone have a list of specific brands and coupons that produced these big claimed savings?

My SO is the coupon king . We use eight o clock french bean coffee so they usually have a $2.00 coupon for two bags and our supermarket has two for one deals so we get the coffee for two dollars a bag . Last week I had a coupon for a $1.00 off All laundry detergent and it was two for one so we got the detergent I use for $2.00. That is why we use coupons .

 

[bbbamI]

My SO is the coupon king . We use eight o clock french bean coffee so they usually have a $2.00 coupon for two bags and our supermarket has two for one deals so we get the coffee for two dollars a bag . Last week I had a coupon for a $1.00 off All laundry detergent and it was two for one so we got the detergent I use for $2.00. That is why we use coupons .

Yeah...I'm a coupon gal. The name brands are more expensive and are the only ones that issue coupons in the paper, but I check the sales ad and use the coupons. Kroger has triple and double coupon redemption. So far this year I've saved $147.00. Using the coupons keeps me from having to make a trip to Target (where I'd probably buy more stuff). I hate running around town to save a few dollars.

Some of the stuff I buy is considered junk food, but DH loves it. He's the kind that doesn't have to watch what he eats. Some things are just not fair.

 

[Vinnyfrombrooklyn]

Great Job Jeff, Will be taking a look at your book as well.

 

[NW-Bound]

Last time Jeff was here, I asked him about the home-grown bamboo shoot in his Maryland backyard that he dined on. I had read his story in an article about "living off the land - in the city". Supposedly, bamboo grows very fast - at least it does in the tropics. I like bamboo shoot in some Oriental dishes; it probably has zero calories and is high in fiber too. If I happen to have some in my garden, well, I would try to stir fry it too.

I don't know if Cheapskate didn't mention this out of modesty or what, but there is his big article in this month's AARP magazine. I just read it...being the loyal AARP card carrying member that I am. Interesting.

Here is the aforementioned article: A better way to be rich and happy - AARP The Magazine

It's a good read. Below is an excerpt.

I had surveyed more than 300 of my "Miser Advisers"—a network of superthrifty folks I've developed—about their financial habits, and I wanted to take a closer look at them. I met near-millionaires and people who earned so little they could qualify for public assistance but chose not to—they had more than enough to live as they wished. What they all had in common: they've found ways to be wealthy that don't depend on earning more cash or buying more things.

That's right—the reality of the frugal life upends stereotypes. These aren't latter-day Scrooges, though I've yet to meet one who doesn't sport apparel dating to the Carter administration, or earlier.

Gosh, I know I still have 3 custom-made suits from that era hanging in my closet. It was back when I was finishing school and was so skinny I could not buy anything off the rack, and had to have them made so I could go on job interviews. One was a white suit for my wedding.

Nearly 20 years ago, I already could not fit into them (I was able to buy suits off the rack then). I don't know why I keep them. Sentimental reason perhaps, but one of these days, I will have to let them go. The clothes that fit me, heck I wore them out. No way they would last 30 years!

 

[Walt34]

I'm in luck. There are only two others ahead of me on the library hold list for the book.

That was a good segment on the show, but too short. Too bad he didn't get more time.

 

[aida2003]

I just reserved my copy too...#34. I hope cheapies read fast because our library system has only 5 books.

 

[Ultimate Cheapskate]

Thanks for all the comments, folks.

I did another (very) short segment on the Today Show this morning (7/9), just before Lady Ga Ga performed her free concert in Rockefeller Plaza and a sudden downpour broke out. I think there's an ancient Mayan legend that says when Lady Ga Ga and the Ultimate Cheapskate appear on the same show in a downpour, the end of time - or at least the end of TV - is at hand.

Interesting debate here re: the pros/cons of coupons, and very reflective of what I found in my cheapskate survey for the new book (i.e. about half of the respondents swore by coupons, and the other half swore about them). In fact, in general, a main theme of the book/survey is that there's often not one "best" way to shop, live frugally, etc. --- too much depends on ones personal situation, locale, lifestyle, etc.

Stay Cheap!
-Jeff Yeager

 

[Koolau]

FWIW, DW just filled 5 prescriptions for the two of us (total of 6 months' supply of each script) and NETTED about +$50. She is GOOD!

(Full disclosure, the approx. $50 was in various store credits, not cash.)

 

[Moemg]

I bought and read your book yesterday . The profile fits me to a tee .

 

[HFWR]

This is my problem with coupons. They enable you to buy even more of the very stuff that you would usually be better off leaving on the shelves. Not many coupons for wild salmon or sea scallops or beefsteak or fresh oranges.

I guess there may be for stuff like toothpaste and Kleenex and tp and tampons and stuff, but I find it less annoying to keep my eye out for these things on sale in the 3 or 4 supermarkets and drugstores in my walk distance.

Ha

Tampons?

 

[travelover]

Jeff, I heard you on NPR's Marketplace. Good job shilling the book

Seriously, though, I thought it was well done.

 

[Dreamer]

Great job doing the interview. I will definitely read this book.