Tightwad: a person who does not like to spend or give money.
cheapskate, penny-pincher, scrooge, skinflint, miser
You might be a tightwad if…
When the complimentary in flight beverage service comes around on your flight, you ask for hot tea knowing full well the flight attendant will give you an unopened tea bag, 2 sugars and 2 creamers so you can prepare the tea yourself.
Then, because you know you can stretch your tea bags into 3-4 cups of tea at home by re-using the tea bags, {with a larger cup of course} you sit in your cramped airline seat and drink hot water and pocket the packaged teabag, creamers and sugars to enjoy later at home.
Do this 3 times on a long flight and you’ve got yourself a week’s worth of tea.
Not that I’ve ever done this of course. 😉
~Mavis
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Melissa says
On cruises they leave a large selection of tea bags out at all times. How many can you take home on a 7 day cruise before you are a tightwad? (Asking for a friend obviously).
Deborah says
Melissa, I’ve seen people get all of a certain kind of tea. When I fix a cup of tea on a cruise, I usually get 2 or 3 bags for each cup. Now, I don’t use them all at the same time. I do bring them home, thought. Sometimes it’s good to be a tightwad!
PattyB says
Usually, the complimentary tea bag I’m given isn’t what I like. So I bring my own tea bags and pocket the complimentary one. My husband usually likes “generic” tea. =)
Lisa L says
I might know someone who asks for the drinks by the can then stashes them in her carry on for later. Especially if said person is going on a cruise and soda is expensive, It’s always nice to have a few cans of backup ginger ale on a boat. Not that I’d know…
I’ve been signing “Lisa L” but I realize there’s like 10 of us!
Deborah says
LOL And here I usually take my own tea. I only drink herbal teas, and prefer honey for a sweetener. I did find some honey granular that I will take next vacation or trip.
Rachel says
I will brew the in room coffee to give me the fortitude to trek to the lobby for slightly better tasting coffee and (hopefully) flavored creamer when I stay at a hotel. I bring home the fancy Tazo tea bags they leave in room because I’m particular about how I brew my tea.
In the colder months, I drink hot water by choice.
Butterflyweed says
Mavis, you might be going over the edge with your money saving! I use tea bags twice. Once for a fresh cup and then 2 used ones for a third cup so I get 3 cups from 2 bags. While I love a bargain and saving money as much as the next gal, I like to spend money on comfort. I am going to turn the heat up and not wear my winter coat in the house!
Jumbe says
Not sure how kosher this is for your blog, but my favorite memory with my sister involves Tazo tea. The logo used to have a kind of Celtic looking cross for the letter T. My sister bought me a glass jar of it, yum. I thought the Celtic cross was a sort of decoration and the tea was + Azo tea. I had a handful of receipts and such and she said can I take your garbage for you. To which I responded, “that’s okay I’ll just stick it in my azo” True story, not even a bar joke. Didn’t even realize what I was saying until my sister started laughing so hard she had to sit down in the middle of the parking lot. Anyhooooo, good tea!
JEnn in INdiana says
I just had the best laugh of my life! That was hilarious story.
Alexa says
Oh my gosh! I am laughing so hard. I had to reread a couple times, just for fun.
Mavis says
I’m just here for your entertainment. Ha!
Debbie N says
I am generally very thrifty but one place I always buy water is at the airport before I get on the plane. I have read a few articles about bacteria in airplane water and I rather pay the high prices than be sick. I am also usually thirsty before they come around.
Barbara Dougherty says
I use mine about 2 times each. 🙂 works for me….
Deborah from FL says
Can anyone tell me how long is “too long” to let the used tea bag sit before it’s re-used? And, is it okay to leave it out, or should it go in the fridge?
I’ve always winged it. 😉
Carmen says
OMG, sometimes I use 2 teabags in my cup! There is no way I could drink my tea that weak. I’m British. Think that says it all.
My MIL reuses teabags though. I have no issue with that in itself (look after the pennies and all that) but can’t drink her tea caus it tastes like dirty dishwater
Mavis says
Dirty dishwater. HAHAHA! That’s awesome.
Amanda says
I only steal certain teas on my travels. But that’s a Tazo tea, so your actions are justified. 🙂
Deborah says
Tazo Passion is my favorite tea. I found some K-cups for the cold brew, but make a big cup of hot tea with it. I drink some almost every day. I also have some Echinasia Chamomile tea that I drink at night. Both are really good.