Last weekend I was going over my finances and noticed I don’t buy many small items (food excluded).  I’m pretty good at turning down impulse purchases and have set aside money for more expensive purchases (like a video game or new cell phone).  But then again, I’ve always been like this.  With that in mind I came up with the top 15 signs I’m not only frugal, but I’m a cheap @$$.

I Don’t Pay for Haircuts
My girlfriend does it with clippers.  It started in college with my roommate, I haven’t paid for a haircut in almost 3 years.

I Have Stolen Office Supplies From Work
Another college habit, and I only took a couple of pens for school.  I’ll pay them back if they ever ask.

I Only Run A/C When I’ve Got Company
In my attempt to save gas, I never run the air in my car.  Windows and the fan.  When the girlfriend is in the car I give in, but I never run the air for me, despite sweat stains.

I Eat Oatmeal Because It’s Cheaper than Cereal
After convincing myself to eat oatmeal because its better for me, I really discovered I was doing it because the cost per meal is pennies compared to cereal which is dimes.

I Get Excited When Ice Cream is “Buy One Get One Free”
One of my guilty pleasures, I can turn down ice cream when its $5+ for a carton.  I can’t when its buy one get on free.

I Actually Use the Free Stuff the Dentist Gives Me
The toothbrushes suck, the floss is gross, the toothpaste is only good for like 3 uses before you’re out; but its free.

I Won’t Use the Parking Deck at Work
We’ve got a great parking deck, and I have a new car.  It should be protected.  But it costs $35 a month (after a tax deduction) and I’ll use more gas parking 5 stories up than I would on the street.  So my car bakes in the sun all day, but I don’t pay a dime and save gas.

I Track the Interest Income on Bank Accounts
Bank accounts should be a set it and forget it thing.  Its not just the ING Direct accounts I follow.  My checking account generates between 1 and 3 cents a month, and yes I make sure it shows up!

I Switched From Buying Books to Going to the Library
Kind of basic, but I always wanted a book collection.  Then I realized I’m never going to re-read a book and no longer wanted a collection.  ”Yes I’ll have it back in 3 weeks this time I promise!”

I Combined Both My Student and Corporate Discounts
I’m no longer a student, don’t tell AT&T!  It’s another $2 back in my pocket.

I Pick Up Pennies on the Sidewalk
Maybe I like pennies, or maybe I’m cheap.  I tell myself someday there will be a copper shortage and people will buy pennies for $.02 a piece.  Myself responds with something to the tune of, “You’re and idiot”.

I Demand Time Warner Credit My Account for Any Downtime
Sometimes cable and internet services drop off.  It happens.  When it does they won’t credit your account, unless you ask.  I don’t miss a beat and have been known to demand credit for even 6 hours of downtime.  (What?  It was exam season in college!)

I Told My (Former) Auto Insurance Rep He Let Me Down
When I bought my car I also switched insurance providers.  Having been with the same guy for many years, I was disappointed to find I was grossly over-paying for insurance.  Instead of just switching or asking for a lower rate, I told him he let me down and I was very disappointed.  That was kind of @$$y of me.

I Coast to a Stop Not to Save Gas, but Brakes
Saving gas is fine and dandy, but I’m really driving slow and coasting when possible to extend the life of my brakes.

I Had to Cut Other Luxuries to Allow Myself to Buy an iPhone
The new iPhone requires an expensive data plan, $30 a month in addition to the $40 I already pay for voice.  The device is cheaper than it was, but the data plan makes it more expensive over the course of the contract.  I can afford it, easily, but wouldn’t allow myself to do so until I freed up other luxuries.  Poor cable/internet provider will suffer because of it.  I’ll be cutting services (kind of, more on this another day) from both TV and internet access to the tune of about $30.  However, with the fast data of the iPhone, I’ll use my home internet access less.

Perhaps this is why I’m able to afford to make heavy payments on my car and save money so quickly.  I’m not going to stop in fact I’m going to strive to be cheaper still.  Maybe you can think of a few ways you’re cheap and send them my way.

Related posts:

1. 10 Things Your Bank Won’t Tell You

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