Most families look for smart ways to save money — clipping coupons, shopping sales, turning off lights when leaving a room.
But some people take frugality so far that it becomes a lifestyle of its own… and their children are often the ones caught in the middle.
These are their stories.
Story 1 — “Dad collected free soaps like he was building a museum.”
When my dad first moved into his house, he scheduled a free demo for an under-sink water filtration system.
The salesman used a brand-new bar of soap to show how clean the water was… and left the bar behind when he finished.
My dad immediately realized something.
The next day, he scheduled the same demo with another company.
Then another.
And another.
By the end of the week, he had five bars of high-quality soap — and zero intention of buying a filter from anyone.
He has pulled schemes like this for years. I’ve stopped trying to explain why it’s weird.
This is just the kind of person he is now.
Story 2 — “Paper towels were practically sacred.”
I grew up believing paper towels were luxury items reserved only for royalty.
Why?
Because my dad treated every roll like it cost $300.
Even now, at 21, he insists I ask before using one. When I was little, I actually thought stores kept them behind locked glass.
He’s the kind of guy who buys the cheapest version of everything… which, of course, ends up costing more when things constantly break.
One day, my girlfriend and I accidentally spilled an entire gallon of milk on his kitchen floor.
Without hesitation, she grabbed an entire roll of paper towels and used every sheet to mop it up.
I felt guilty just watching her do it.
When my dad walked in and saw the empty cardboard tube… the look on his face was indescribable.
He didn’t yell — he tries to look civilized in front of guests — but you could see the emotional damage happening in real time.
Story 3 — “My dad treated saving electricity like a sport.”
My father absolutely hates paying for utilities.
His solution?
Air-dry all laundry outdoors — even when the temperature was below freezing.
Whenever we cleaned our rooms, he’d search through our trash, convinced we’d thrown away something “valuable.”
Loose coins. Reusable containers. Bits of wire. Anything.
And gas?
Forget it.
He once drove around for half an hour comparing gas prices just to save eleven cents.
And if we were driving downhill, he’d shift the car into neutral, open his door, and push the car with his foot to “save fuel.”
One time at Burger King, he refused to let me order a normal burger.
“Too expensive,” he said.
He only allowed me to get chicken fries — because they were on sale.
Story 4 — “Costco’s return policy became my dad’s personal playground.”
My father is the king of returns.
His biggest victory?
Bringing back an outdoor patio set we’d used for eight years.
It was faded, scratched, and half broken. A couple of chairs didn’t even stand up straight anymore.
Costco still refunded him almost the full amount.
He walked out grinning, pushing a cart full of store credit big enough to pay for a brand-new set.
The employees were stunned.
I was stunned.
He was thrilled.
Story 5 — “My parents lived in luxury. I lived in survival mode.”
My parents have always had money.
A lot of it.
But somehow, I wound up living with almost nothing.
After my grandmother passed away, they secretly took the inheritance meant for me. I didn’t learn that until years later.
Every year since, they’ve mailed me a $50 Walmart gift card as my “share.”
I’m so broke I don’t even own a phone.
Meanwhile, they replace their luxury cars like most people replace socks.
They travel to the Maldives like it’s a weekend trip.
Then one day, something changed.
They were away on a cruise when a letter arrived addressed to me.
On the envelope were the words:
“Do not open this when they’re around.”
Heart pounding, I tore it open.
Inside was a message that turned my entire world upside down:
“Mary, this is your biological father.
I’ve been trying to reach you for years.
Your grandmother left you a large inheritance, and I’ve been fighting to reclaim it for you.
Meet me at the address enclosed.
It’s time you finally received what’s yours — and took back your life.”