Home » diy, environment, frugalphilosophy, lifestyle, money-management » I’m Just Not That Cheap…. Yet

I’m Just Not That Cheap…. Yet

February 24, 2013 Posted by thecheapskatemom under diy, environment, frugalphilosophy, lifestyle, money-management
2 Comments

Tonight, I'm challenging myself to think outside the proverbial -cheapskate- box. I like to think I'm one of the cheapest people I know – and in many ways I am – but tonight we went to a party at a friend's home. They close off the upstairs of their house during the winter so as not to heat it…. Can we say WOW. I admire their cheapness – or to use a nicer word, frugality. Why heat something you don't need to use, right? Since I live in an apartment, we're not able to close off any rooms. That being said, there are some things I'm not that cheap to try – yet.

Here's a list of what I'm not ready to do and why. Should be some good food for thought!

1. Reusable Toilet Paper
reusable-toilet-paperOk. I get that toilet paper is both expensive and bad for the environment. I really, really do. That being said, I handwash all of our laundry. I don't think I'm up to this challenge yet. If I ever am, y'all will be the first to know – excuse the ICK factor.

 

2. Reusable Baby Wipes
See above :)
 

3. Reusable Diapers
Actually, I'm about to embark on this adventure although I am full of nerves, especially as I handwash everything. My awesome and talented real-life friend K8T, who runs Eat The Mommy, is gifting me with a set of reusable diapers. I love that her diapers have snap in pads and are very affordable!!
 

4. Roommates
I know we could make a few extra hundred bucks by having a roommate, but I am an extremely private person (believe it or not). I love quiet, I love having things a certain way – and I'm just not sure having a roommate would fit in with our family's lifestyle. That being said, never say never. It's a great way to expand your family, in a sense, and save some dough!

 

5. Dumpster Diving
Again, never say never. Some of the things people throw out, myself included, makes me sick.  I love reading the Urban Dumpster Diver's Blog – and I even interviewed her here. I find her lifestyle FASCINATING.

 

6. Going Carless
I know there are people out there who forgo cars completely. Bicycles, buses and even walking become very viable options for them. I think it's awesome and I'd love to go carless someday and just do the carshare thing – but right now, that seems like too big of a leap to make by choice.
 

7. Unplugging the TV
I know watching TV costs money (as far as electricity – we have no cable, just Amazon Prime) – and brain cells – but it's ultimately a fairly frugal hobby. That being said, reading books is better for ya, most of the time!
 

 

 

Share
  • grumpyrumblings

    I don’t know how old your kid is, but we just started infant potty training (elimination communication) in conjunction with diapers. Basically this means when she wakes up we put her on the potty. It is AMAZING. SOOOO much easier than training an older child and totally addicting. (And way less disgusting than wiping poo off a baby rear end.) http://nicoleandmaggie.wordpress.com/2013/02/05/adventures-in-elimination-communication/

  • Misfit Momma

    I’ve never really thought of myself as a cheapskate but I do all of #1- #5 and I have also closed off rooms to save on heat when I had the space. My current house is under 500 sq feet with no basement or upstairs so that isn’t an option anymore, but then my rent is also very cheap and the reason I’m living in this tiny house :)

    I have a vehicle but only insure/use it when I have the money on a month-month basis. If I have no money it stays parked for the month.

    I do not hand wash my laundry. I tried, and everything looked so dingy and dirty that I just couldn’t keep doing it. Plus, I’d be washing all day with the amount of laundry my 4 kids use! I do hang dry it though. Even if you just use cloth wipes for #1 and save the TP for #2 though, you could start saving and hand washing shouldn’t be so bad!