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This is a question Tightwads

There's saving money, and there's being tight: saving money at the expense of other people, or simply for the miserly hell of it.

Tell us about measures that go beyond simple belt tightening into the realms of Mr Scrooge.

(, Thu 23 Oct 2008, 13:58)
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My mum-in-law
isn't generally considered tight. She's a rank amateur beside my mum, but every now and again she pulls a blinder.

Back when MrWitch and I were first going out, we had very little cash. We were quite happy to look after his wee brother on weekend nights for the few quid we got in return.

One night, his mum came home early. We were just having a cup of coffee, and I chatted to her for a while before toddling off home.

The following weekend, when his mum went out, MrWitch beckoned me into the kitchen. He showed me two very small mugs, about half the size of normal ones, and, stifling a laugh, told me,

"Mum says we've to use these if we have coffee. So that we use less milk. Milk costs money, you know."

When I'd finished having hysterics at the sight of this tiny little mug clutched in his great big hand, I got offended. It was alright for her to be out two or three nights every week, drinking plenty by the way, but I was grudged a bit of milk in my coffee while looking after her youngest son? Charming.

After that, I always made a point of using a normal sized mug for my coffee at his house, and leaving the thing where she would see it. I also used to take milk with me in one of my mum's Tupperware containers. Which I always took home. Petty? Yes, absolutely.
(, Thu 23 Oct 2008, 20:24, 5 replies)

You should have had the corn flakes instead of coffee
(, Thu 23 Oct 2008, 20:42, closed)
Is she getting on a bit?
My parents are around 80 and they're still mean with milk. I think it must've been ferociously rationed in the war or summat.

I never had a glass of milk when I was a kid, not one, ever, and cornflakes were rare.

With my first pay packet I bought a pint of milk and drank it all in one. That showed'em.

My own four kids were entitled to a pint of milk each a day, no arguing, and when we ran out I'd send out for more.
(, Thu 23 Oct 2008, 21:53, closed)
she's only (only??) 71
and grew up on farms, so rationing didn't have the same impact. She's never mean with gifts or money, only with food, though. Odd.
(, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 18:40, closed)
Lord!
I grew up on a dairy farm and have had at LEAST a pint of milk a day since I can remember. I love milk.

Of course that might explain my girthage. :~(
(, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 21:54, closed)
So why not just have twice as many cups of coffee?

(, Thu 30 Oct 2008, 11:31, closed)

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