Michelle Singletary who writes for the Washington Post and has even <a href="http://www.savingadvice.com/media.php">visited the site on occasion</a> is taking nominations for <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/13/AR2006051300192_pf.html">Penny Pincher of the Year</a>:
<blockquote><i>The rules of this contest are simple. Don't make anything up. (I can usually tell.) Don't be gross. (I don't want to hear that you bathe in someone else's bath water. That's just nasty.)
I'm looking for cheapskates, not cheats. For example, taking enough packets of condiments from a restaurant or a fast-food establishment to fill a jar isn't penny pinching, it is stealing.
I'm interested in creative entries. I've heard before about mashing soap together to save the last tiny sliver or turning two-ply toilet paper into one-ply.
I want to profile penny pinchers, not misers. There is a difference between being miserly and being frugal. A miser is stingy.</i></blockquote>
I know the crowd here has great ideas that they have implemented or have seen other implement than not only meet these criteria, but go a step further to building wealth for the future. If you have a favorite idea that you found on this site, I hope you'll make a recommendation for that person (or yourself) for this contest. Best of all, there will be cash prizes, so your tips may earn you some money as well as save you money - a double win if I ever heard of one.
<blockquote><i>So what's your penny-pinching story? Humor will score big. Or enter and let others share in your frustration with a frugal friend. There will be cash prizes for winners.
Edited versions of entries may be published whether you win or not. Send your entries by June 16 to
colorofmoney@washpost.com . Please put "2006 Penny Pincher of the Year Contest" in the subject line. Please include your address and daytime and evening phone numbers. You can also mail entries to Michelle Singletary, Color of Money, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071. Please put on the front of the envelope "Penny Pincher of the Year Contest."</i></blockquote>
Good luck to one and all!