Kaylie: The Cheapskate Checklist

Editor's note: We challenged all of our finalists to "Write a fun blog post you think will make 18-25 year olds smile."

So, everyone likes to save money right?  I know for me, finding a great deal can just make my day! 

Now, we all know of those people who take the term ‘frugal’ just a little (or a lot) too far.  There may be one in our friend group, at our workplace or even in our household.  They serve as the bud of many jokes, but often times these people don’t recognize or simply can’t admit that they are in fact, Cheapskates.  Does this mean it’s possible that we too could be partial Cheapskates and not even realize it? 

Not to fear.  I’ve constructed a Cheapskate Checklist to help resolve this issue.  As Jeff Foxworthy has done for possible Rednecks, I aim to do for potential Cheapskates!

You just might be a Cheapskate…

… if local restaurants and public washrooms are the source for your home collection of toilet paper.

… if you intentionally dent the cans at the grocery store in order to cash in on the ‘crash & dent’ discount.

… if you travel to garage and yard sales to shop for a toothbrush or undergarments.

… if you cut your own hair.

… if your refrigerator holds more expired food items than edible ones—because of course the best before date “is just a guideline”.

… if you not only re-gift a present, but also the wrapping, tissue paper and card.

… if none of your kitchen utensils match because they’re all from different meals at different restaurants.

… if you constantly forget your wallet when out with friends.

… if your collection of individually packaged ketchup, salt and pepper, and sauces is grand enough to last you at least a year.

… if your idea of a good tip is: Don’t eat yellow snow.

… if your idea of treating a friend for a birthday dinner involves chicken nuggets at McD’s.

… if you keep in good touch with your parents after leaving home—because Mom and Dad always foot the bill.

… if even the tinsel on your Christmas tree is recycled from previous years.

… if you practice weekly raiding of your neighbours’ recycling bins at night in order to make a few bucks on the aluminium.

… the alcohol you keep on hand is never a brand your friends have heard of and makes them gag when they unknowingly accept your drink offer.

… if your translation of ‘Buy One, Get One’ coupons is ‘You Buy One, I’ll Get One’.

… if you save your plastic bags for reuse—not to benefit the environment but to save the 5 cents.

… if your friends are under the impression that you have hundreds of allergies, as this is usually your excuse for declining dinner outing invitations.

… if your idea for a perfect Secret Santa gift is actually a lump of coal.

… if your wardrobe consists mostly of items that have been left at your house by others.

… if you’re a meat-eater that orders veggie meals in order to save the $1.50 on the meal total.

… if you visit your dentist office daily to read the newspaper and catch up on the latest gossip in PEOPLE Weekly.

… if you are banned from local movie theatres as a result of your specialization in ‘double features’.

… if you pluck a hair for your dish at restaurants, resulting in a complementary meal or at least a discount.

… if you still try to pass for the kiddie meals and discounts everywhere you go.

If you answered YES to more than 10 items on the checklist, you might be a Cheapskate.

All kidding aside, saving money isn’t something to be ashamed of.  Realistically, many Cheapskates out there have more money in their accounts than the rest of us!  It’s always important to be conscious of where your money is going but try not to go overboard—there is a happy medium!

Bye for now!

Kaylie