I have to brag on one of my "cheapskate" guys here, just for a moment.
I knew this fellow back in the day, when we were both working in different fields, and we reconnected when I started working this industry - he "retired" in the early 2000s by becoming a carpet cleaner, lol.
When I first started working with him here, I was a little frustrated that he always came in and bought the cheapest chemical he could find, regardless of how much it cost him to use it. I knew he was bright, driven, and ethical, I knew his previous career had paid him well, so why was he going the cheap route?
As I got to know more, I found out why.
He cleans carpet, yes... but that's just his introductory tactic.
What he REALLY does is minister to abused women and children in low-end housing, to help them escape situations that are unhealthy for them.
He uses his carpet cleaning as a way to introduce himself to them and begin dialog with frightened, desperate mothers who may not know what their options are.
While he is cleaning their home environment (and he's not above fixing a broken dishwasher or water heater while he's there), he is letting them know that there are people out there who care; that there are safe places to get away from an abusive or violent spouse/partner; that there is help for those who are dealing with substance abuse issues. He ministers to those who may be too afraid to reach out, and helps them to start getting their lives back on track.
He has saved numerous families from the cycle of abuse this way, and he won't admit it but most times he refuses to take any sort of payment for his services. I asked him once how he manages to make a living doing this, and he responded "I'm not making a living for myself. I've made my money. I'm helping THEM have a life to live, and that's what God put me here to do." He's using the cheapest stuff he can find and still do a decent job, because every bit of it is coming out of his retirement.
I don't mind admitting, I cried when I got home that day. I've known this fellow for nigh on twenty years, and I had no idea until a few years ago that this was what he did with his time.
Needless to say, any time I have an opportunity to find him free or discounted stuff to help him continue his work, I am all over it.
I have never been prouder to be "cheap".