The Cheapest Man is Back
May 20, 2008
It’s been a rough couple months with this website but I’m happy to say that I’m back to writing.
Over the past few months my wife and I have been on a bit of a spending spree:
- plane tickets = $800
- new couches = $900
- another plane ticket = $300
- deck = $3,000
- misc = $1,000
The misc includes things like a Flip video camera, Wii games, and more leisure stuff.
I haven’t been living the ‘Cheapest Man’ lifestyle, but starting NOW I’m back on it. So, be prepared for some all new valuable resources to help you live the ‘Cheapest Man’ Lifestyle.
March Challenge - Fiscal Fast
March 4, 2008
The wife and I are committed to a fiscal fast for the month of March. What is a fiscal fast? Let me explain below.We will not spend money.
- We will still pay our monthly bills.
- We will do our best not to buy ay groceries besides the necessities (milk, eggs, and bread)
- We did not stockpile a bunch of food to make it through the month.
- Not buying any alcohol. Now if friends want to share that is a totally different story.
Today is day 4 of the fast and so far so good. I think we’re heading to the mall tonight to get some exercise. There will be plenty of temptations around us, but I think we’ll be ok with NOT spending any money. Stay tuned…
Ever lick a turd….you just may have…
February 8, 2008
Most people know I’m cheap…thus the cheapestman.com domain name. Make sense, huh? Well when I go out to eat (which isn’t that often) I usually order water to drink with my meal. I can’t see paying $2.75 for a fountain drink of Coke. I understand unlimited refills but still knowing that most estamblishments pay 3 cents for a drink they charge you $2.75 for is ridiculuos.
So…back to my water. I usually order a lemon in my water to give it some flavor. And occasionally I’ll put in a packet of sugar for some cheapest lemonade. Well that was before a friend forwarded me this little video.
Take a look:
Grossed out yet? Ready to pay the $2.75 for a fountain drink? I’m not.
Cheap Way to create a Podcast/Radio Show
February 7, 2008
I’ve searched high and low to find an easy and cheap way to Podcast/Radio Show. Here’s what I came up with.
TOOLS
PC Microphone - A generic PC microphone will do. I use this one Logitech USB Desktop Microphone
SOFTWARE
Audacity - Open Source sound recording and editing software. I learned how to use the basic features on this in 30 minutes.
OTHER
Intro music - Revostock - This site has a great selection of stock music you can use for your Podcast.
Hositng at BYO Audio - Some people think that iTunes stores and shares your Podcast. That is not the case. You need to host it with someone (or if you have the capabilities to do it yourself). This company charges $20/month up to 5GB of transfer. Additional $1.95 per 1GB. You can sign up for this service here.
PUBLISHING
I use iTunes to distribute my Podcast. You can also embed them on your website. Most of the time I do both.
That’s it. All the tools you need to create a Podcast/Radio Show the Cheapest Man Way!
Tata Nano - World’s Cheapest Car
February 4, 2008
India has done it. The Tata Nano is the world’s cheapest car. The car is being dubbed as ‘The People’s Car’ and will run roughly $100,000 rupees (~$2,500). The Nano is a little over 10 feet long and nearly 5 feet wide. It is powered by a 623cc two-cylinder engine at the back of the car. With 33 horsepower, the Nano is capable of 65 miles an hour. Its four small wheels are at the absolute corners of the car to improve handling. There is a small trunk. The Nano will go on sale in India later this year with an initial production run of 250,000 a year. Tata says it will offer the Nano in other emerging markets in Latin America, Southeast Asia and Africa within four years.
Personally I like the idea and the concept of this car. Will I buy one if they come to the US? Probably not. There are certain aspects I like (the gas mileage (54 miles per gallon) but the car does not justify it’s usefulness to me. And don’t even get me started on the safety of driving around this modified toaster.
I’ll watch the progress of this car and who know maybe someday the cheapest man WILL be driving around this bad boy.
Cheap Music on iTunes
February 4, 2008
Many people cringe when they hear FREE MUSIC. I am a one of those. But, I have to say the FREE MUSIC on iTunes has won me over. Many people are on iTunes and many people know that they give away one free song a week. These songs are from all sorts on genre’s (country, rap, pop…you get the idea). I have been very loyal to the free song each week and I have to say I’ve filled a few CDs up just from the songs I’ve downloaded.
Roy Haynes - Living Cheap the Wrong Way
February 1, 2008
Roy Haynes is cheap. Kudos to him for being cheap, but personally I think he goes about it in the wrong way.
Why..you ask? Here’s why?
- He garbarge picks - not only is this disgusting but it’s also illegal. Seriously, do you want this guy going through YOUR trash?
- He takes advantage of things - You will see he has ketchup packets that he puts into a ketchup bottle. Now I’m assuming this, but I can see him as the kind of guy who goes to McDonald’s and cleans house at the condiment station. No one wants to look that desperate.
- He recycles….the wrong items - This guy reuses paper towels…at least 5 times. I’m no doctor but that cannot be good for your health.
Don’t get me wrong, the guy knows how to pinch pennies. I just don’t think the average Joe can live this lifestyle. Through the CheapestMan.com we will show you some normal people ways to save a buck or two.
Two incomes down to one
January 31, 2008
My wife and I are going to try and experiment. We’re going to go from two incomes down to one without quitting a job. We’re going to put all the money from my wife’s job into our savings and see how long we can do that without touching it. Sounds easy, huh? We’ll see.
Why this change? Well, we had a baby a couple weeks back and have been living off one income (mine) for now, and you know what…life wasn’t that bad. We’re obviously going to have to budget and spend a little cheaper, but I think we can do.
Either way I’ll keep all of you informed as to how it goes.
The Ultimate Cheapskate
January 31, 2008
Dubbed ‘The Ultimate Cheapskate’ by Today’s shows Matt Lauer, Jeff Yeager is one of the cheapest men you will find.
Excerpt from Washington Post:
“”We spend more money than we need to spend just to be happy,” Yeager said. “Eighty percent of the books in the market are about how to make more money. My book is about how to live a good life on little money.”
For example, he suggests holding an occasional fiscal fast in which a family refrains from spending a single dollar for a week. He also recommends shopping smarter, volunteering, paying off home mortgages as quickly as possible, trading a car for a bicycle, living within a budget at 30 years old and staying there, and hanging up the cellphone for good.”
I’ve read about a fiscal fast and wondered if I should do one. I think i will…details to come.
You can purchase Jeff’s book at Amazon.com Ultimate Cheapskates Road Map to True Riches, The: A Practical (and Fun) Guide to Enjoying Life More by Spending Less
Millionaire by 30 - Positive Thinking
January 30, 2008
Living cheaply can make you a millionaire…here’s proof. Alan Corey didn’t have a high paying job (~$40k per year) but managed to become a millionare by 30 years of age (he turned 30 on Jan. 20th). Here are a few of his “methods”:
- He opened a savings account at a bank far away from his $400-a-month one-bedroom apartment in Spanish Harlem to make it hard to get close to the money — and force him to save.
- He filled out surveys, if the survey companies offered money. Once, he was hired to walk around a movie release party as a Great Dane — for $350, he said.
- He saved every nickel he could, and he crashed parties and art gallery showings to take advantage of free cheese and wine.
Those are just a few things he did. The best part about this story is he didn’t win the lottery, he didn’t inherit a bunch of money, he didn’t marry some old rich lady. He just busted his butt and 
now he’s got the bucks!
Alan’s even wrote a book.
Props: AJC
CURRENTLY READING
Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
A must read for anyone who is looking for some 'average Joe' money advice. Stay tuned for my diary of The Total Money Makeover.
