Hey Cheapskates, What's the Best Deal You've Scored?

steve rhodes

If you spend as much time hanging out with frugal folks as I do, you quickly realize a few things about them.

First, they tend to be a pretty happy lot. I think that's because they're not all stressed out about money, like a lot of people these days. They usually live debt-free or close to it, and so they don't have those worries like so many Americans.

Second, despite the stereotype of greedy old Ebenezer Scrooge, I've found that many thrifty folks are in fact quite generous. In a survey of 300+ proud, self-proclaimed "cheapskates" I did for my most recent book, I found that they gave nearly twice as much to charity each year as the average American.

And third, man-oh-man, do they like to brag about a good bargain when they get one! It's kind of funny, because a lot of people like to brag about how much their possessions cost. Cheapskates like to brag about how little they paid for something.

That's why I'm excited to hear the stories people have to share this week as we wrap up the October edition of the AARP Savings Challenge. In this week's challenge, we're inviting you to brag it up and tell us about "The Best Deal You Ever Got."

To enter the Week 4 Challenge, click on this link and post your "Best Deal" story by Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011.  Photos of your best deal are encouraged. To be eligible for weekly and overall prizes, you must opt in to the contest rules, which you will find when you set your monthly savings goal in the green savings tracker.

So, don't be shy--this is your chance to brag about "The Best Deal You Ever Got!"

Photo by Steve Rhodes via Flickr Creative Commons