How cheap are you?
Posted by Eric Seymour on 18 August 2006 | 3 responses
Via Jane Galt at Asymmetrical Information, I’ve learned that Northwest Airlines has been handing out a list of money-saving tips to employees they’ve laid off. Although I’m sure it was some HR department employee’s attempt at being helpful, the idea just doesn’t sit well from a downsized employee’s perspective. (”Sorry we have to let you go, but here’s some tips on how to survive on your newly-reduced income.”) And when item #46 is “Don’t be shy about pulling something you like out of the trash,” that’s just downright insulting.
On the other hand, I think this list could serve as something like a frugality purity test. I’ll admit to being rather frugal myself; I’ve probably done at least 40 of the 101 things on the list at least once.
3 Responses to “How cheap are you?”
“32. Do not use your calling card.”
Never used those. Had to pause for a moment to remember what they are.
“49. Use low flush toilets or water saving devices in the tank.”
No way – those turkeys require multiple flushes, thus wasting water. I live in an apartment, so that’s not even an option…
“66. Iron your own shirts.”
A lot of spoiled yuppies must read this site.
“70. Cut your cable television down to basic.”
I don’t buy cable, so I’m way ahead of the game. Internet (even DSL) is cheaper, and there’s more stuff to watch.
91. Request lower interest rates from your creditors.
Good luck with that one if you’ve just been laid off.
re: low flush toilets:
No way – those turkeys require multiple flushes, thus wasting water. I live in an apartment, so that’s not even an option…
Depends on the brand. In order to reduce water through our septic tank, we recently replaced our old high volume toilets (American Standard, I think) with low flow models made by Toto The Totos flush better than our old toilets, despite using much less water. Japanese engineering is apparently as good in the bathroom as it is under an automobile hood.