40+ Of The Most Memorable People Who Appeared On The Show "Extreme Cheapskates"
If you think cutting back on Starbucks is enough savings, these people will prove you wrong. Don't be surprised if you walk away feeling disgusted today.
Some of the most unforgettable moments on Extreme Cheapskates came from people who treated everyday spending like a personal challenge. From laundry and food to water, heat, and even dental care, the show turned ordinary money-saving habits into full-blown spectacles.
These episodes followed a different person each week, and the lengths they went to were often shocking, funny, and sometimes hard to watch. The result was a lineup of extreme frugal hacks that pushed well past simple budgeting and into truly bizarre territory.
Here are 40+ of the most memorable people who appeared on the show, and some of their wildest ways to save a buck.
1. Lydia, who procured "vintage clothes" by keeping up with the obituaries
She actively "tracked" deaths in the papers to estimate the appropriate time to approach the mourning family and ask for their deceased loved ones' clothes. She claims that clearing their clothes out is a service she provides, and she only asks for their permission to keep the clothes as payment.
TLC2. Mark, who didn't want to spend anything on laundry and asked people if he could throw in some of his clothes with theirs
TLC3. This savvy individual who figured out he could cook his omelets using his car's heated engine
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4. This guardian of safe skies who brings home used and discarded pillowcases to use as coffee filters
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5. Justin, who takes water conservation very seriously
Justin has taped all of the faucets in his home and removed all the showerheads to force his family to use water bottles. He filled these water bottles with hand sanitizer and water he collected from the park as a substitute for bathing.
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Some of these money-saving tricks are hard to believe until you see them laid out one by one.
6. This car mechanic who lives in a garage, showers in a bucket, and uses his soapy bathwater to clean cars
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7. A mom who uses her home's heating system to melt snow so they wouldn't have to pay big bucks for water
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8. The frugal guy who reuses and drinks mouthwash to save a few dollars
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9. The couple who made their wedding guests bring cake and their own food to be part of their ceremony
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10. This woman who performed a dental procedure on herself and potentially endangered her own life to save a trip to an actual dentist
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That is where the show really starts to get uncomfortable.
11. The home cook who made a delicious family dinner using roadkill and wildflowers
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12. The dad who installed a timer for his fridge and only allows his family members to open it once a day for only 24 seconds
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13. This man who was ahead of the curve and reused his dirty tissues by letting the sun dry them
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14. This person who showers and washes his clothes at the same time, saving him $15 a month
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15. Who hasn't heard of the joint family activity where you can have fun while washing your dirty dishes in your kids' inflatable pool?
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16. An innovator who put a spin on freshly baked cookies and harnessed the power of the sun inside her car to bake almost expired cookie dough
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17. Nothing is impossible because look at this woman who inflated her air mattress herself
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18. Nothing is more organic than chewing mint leaves daily to keep your teeth clean
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19. A one-minute craft to replace a broken showerhead using disposable soda bottles
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20. This man who rigged up a makeshift bed using Styrofoam peanuts, bubble wrap, and a tablecloth
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By this point, the savings ideas are getting more and more extreme.
This kind of “make it work without paying” mindset reminds us of the practical fixes that help people handle everyday problems differently.
21. The gift master who stole her family members' belongings and gifted them back as Christmas presents
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22. The mixologist who served her friends spilled alcohol and disguised it as shots
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23. The movie lover who used discarded containers to take advantage of the cinema's free popcorn and drink refill policy
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24. This millionaire who serves her friends canned cat food instead of canned tuna for humans because it's cheaper
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25. A woman who doesn't believe in spending money on disposable items like toilet paper or paper towels
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26. Family dinner solved: bring your family of six to a buffet and pay for only three plates, then use a bag of coins to settle the bill
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27. Have you ever met a guy who heats his food using the hot tub instead of the microwave?
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28. The health junkie who worked out at a sporting goods store and refuses to pay for a gym membership like a sucker
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29. The woman who is keeping her car road-safe by repairing the damages using hair ties and wig tape
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30. Apparently, electricity is cheaper at certain times, so this woman takes advantage of that by doing her chores in the middle of the night
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At this point, even the everyday chores start looking unusual.
31. Sharing floss is a part of this married couple's nightly routine
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32. While this lady uses her crowning glory to floss
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33. This lady who pees in jars so she wouldn't have to use and flush her toilet
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34. Frumpy cushions? Not a problem for this lady who uses discarded hair cuttings to pad her comfy couch.
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35. Another water conservation expert who collects rainwater to use for everything, including his showers
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36. The firefighter who saves all the leftovers from work and takes them home for dinner
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37. Airport hack: wear all of your clothes for the trip to avoid spending money on luggage check-in
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38. Get healthy with free yoga and hide in the bushes instead of paying for a yoga class
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39. This mom who hacked it and washed her dirty clothes in the pool
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40. The food expert who keeps leftover sauces and puts them back in the bottle
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41. The thermodynamic master who rubs cornstarch all over himself instead of buying an air conditioner to cool himself
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When you're barely earning enough to pay your bills, keep a roof over your head, and eat healthily, saving won't be easy. Some would say it's absolutely impossible.
That's true because, are you kidding me with these unlivable wages? Maybe that's why these "cheapskates" had to resort to the most creative yet extreme money-saving solutions they could think of to save a few bucks for the rainy season.
Want another extreme conflict, read about the roommate refusing to split extra AC utility costs after excessive use.
