Growing Up With Frugal Parents: Stories From Children Who Saw Saving Go Too Far

When he first moved into his home, he booked a free demonstration from a company that installed under-sink water filters. During the presentation, the salesperson used a bar of soap to show how the filtration process worked, and when the demo ended, that bar of soap stayed behind.

To most people, it would have been a small bonus and nothing more. But to my dad, it sparked an idea. He began calling other companies for additional free demonstrations, not because he wanted to compare products but because he wanted more of those free bars of soap. He scheduled four more visits, all for the same reason, and collected each little bar like a prize.

He never planned on buying a system. He simply enjoyed the thrill of getting something without spending a cent. As the years have passed, his devotion to these little savings has only grown. It has become such a part of him that I no longer try to change it. Instead, I’ve learned to shake my head, smile a little, and accept that this is how he sees the world.

Story 2: The Paper Towel Rule

Paper towels were treated like rare treasures in our home. Even now, at twenty-one, I still feel a strange hesitation whenever I reach for one. Growing up, my dad insisted that I ask before tearing off a sheet. He worried about waste, and he believed every roll should last as long as possible.Continue reading…