cheapskates

Is An IOU An Acceptable Alternative To An Actual Gift?

Is An IOU An Acceptable Alternative To An Actual Gift?

With just four days left until Christmas, it may be time to admit you’re going to end up stiffing someone. You could just do what I do: just purr and let them give you gifts. If that’s not an option for you, there are other choices. According to a new poll from our calculating cousins at Consumer Reports, about half of the people who don’t finish their gift shopping in time give IOUs instead. [More]

Slim-Fast Thinks Its Shakes Are Worth About 29 Cents A Can

Slim-Fast Thinks Its Shakes Are Worth About 29 Cents A Can

Daniel agreed to throw away 35 cans of Slim-Fast after the company announced a recall last month over fears of contamination. He called the number provided by Unilever and provided his address, and then waited for the full refund they promised. What he got was a check for $10.20. [More]

The Book: One Of Many Money-Wasting Traps To Avoid

The Book: One Of Many Money-Wasting Traps To Avoid

Given all its recent layoffs, the Baltimore Sun knows a thing or two about slashing budgets. So its money-saving tip slide show rings with some authority.

Austin Jiffy Lubes Too Cheap To Dispose Of Oil Properly, Keep Dumping It In City Sewer System

Austin Jiffy Lubes Too Cheap To Dispose Of Oil Properly, Keep Dumping It In City Sewer System

Heartland Automotive Services, Inc., which runs 31 Jiffy Lubes in the Austin area, has to pay a $300,000 fine after admitting to pumping used oil into the city’s sewer system instead of recycling it. Normally shops are paid by the gallon for used oil, but in this case a damaged wall let water seep into the oil collection area and create a toxic mess that couldn’t be sold—so instead of paying to remove it, they pumped it down the drain.

Best Buy De-Hoses Washers To Save Money?

Best Buy De-Hoses Washers To Save Money?

An alleged Best Buy employee tells us that the company has stopped including inlet water hoses in some Inglis, Whirlpool and Maytag top-loading washers it sells. According to the blurry photos he sent us, employees are now supposed to push this $27 accessory hose product on customers who buy the washers. Update: we don’t know if the decision originated with the manufacturers or Best Buy.

NC Applebee's Can't Afford Breadsticks Or Candles Anymore

NC Applebee's Can't Afford Breadsticks Or Candles Anymore

Glenn’s family went to Applebee’s last night and discovered that the restaurant is cutting back. Really cutting back. You have to bring your own candles now for their birthday cakes, because “Applebee’s doesn’t supply birthday candles anymore.”