Have you ever been dishonest in order to save money?

[TexasHusker]

Yes.

In college, my senior year we rented a duolex that had a real fireplace. Great for all those chilly nights and weekends for parties. Except we couldn't afford firewood.

So when we got low, we'd do a firewood run down the alleys - stealing one or two logs per pile.

At same duplex, we also spliced into the lady's cable next door and voila! We had ESPN and HBO!

Right toward the end of the year, the cable guy figured it out and disconnected our gear and confiscated it.

[disneysteve]

Sure. Lots of times. But nothing I'm going to post about on the Internet.

[TexasHusker]

When I was in the car business, people were constantly asking us to fudge the actual sales price downward so that they could save a few dollars at the registration office. Number one, I'm going to risk my business and going to jail to save you a few dollars? And two, if you're going to lie and cheat someone, there are probably better options than the taxing authorities and the IRS.

If you MUST steal, go to the groceries and steal some Popsicles - it's only a misdemeanor and they probably won't file charges.

[sv2007]

I couldn't think of anything yesterday; then I remember this:

Way back, many years ago, wife (gf at the time) and I watched a movie at a movie theater that requires a membership pass. We were visiting my aunt, and my cousin lent us her pass and told us that her friends and her routinely share a single pass by buying individually and handling it to the person behind to re-use at the ticket window. You'd pay at the window and hand the pass to the person immediately behind you (below the counter). We thought that was unbelievable until we tried it and it worked.

[rennigade]

pfftt...I plead the 5th on this topic. Next...

[sv2007]

pfftt...I plead the 5th on this topic. Next...

Yesterday, I almost posted that I've never been dishonest to save money. Then I decided to think it over a while because I just can't believe that I didn't purposely cheat to save money in my whole life. I was actually happy that I can't think of anything; then I was amused that I now remember sometime that took place 20 years ago. It took a day of thinking to remember the above; but it was such an adventure.

This is a great topic.

[dawnwes]

Dishonest? No.

Creative Savings Plan? Yes

[97guns]

not dishonest but i did speak my mind on a recent purchase and EXPECTED a discount, i just bought a memory foam mattress off amazon, described as 10" but only was 9". i put a complaint in and got a full refund, its sooo comfortable at this pricepoint!

[FLA]

If you MUST steal, go to the groceries and steal some Popsicles - it's only a misdemeanor and they probably won't file charges.

and the evidence will melt before the police arrive!

[FLA]

I once tried to put a clearance pair of shoes in an even cheaper clearance box at DSW, totally got caught and was mortified enough to never cheat again. They were very nice and acted like I had just made a mistake

[Snydley]

I can think of two:

(1) when I'm checking out after shopping and the sales clerk misses something (it doesn't scan, etc.) I wouldn't necessarily correct their mistake if I happen to be shopping at a huge chain store. I justify this as it is not my job to make sure employees to their jobs correctly.

(2) When I go to the movies I pack drinks and popcorn in my bag. No way I'm paying those insane prices.

[disneysteve]

I can think of two:

(1) when I'm checking out after shopping and the sales clerk misses something (it doesn't scan, etc.) I wouldn't necessarily correct their mistake if I happen to be shopping at a huge chain store. I justify this as it is not my job to make sure employees to their jobs correctly.

(2) When I go to the movies I pack drinks and popcorn in my bag. No way I'm paying those insane prices.

1. If I notice it during checkout, I'll usually point it out. On occasion, I haven't noticed it until after I left the store. I did not go back in and pay for it in those cases.

2. We always bring our own snacks. I don't consider that dishonest at all. I consider that the sane thing to do.

[Singuy]

Oh man some of the stuff I do is so shady I should open up my own sunglass hut.

[disneysteve]

I was reminded of this thread this morning as I was catching up on some survey invitations in my email.

I do hundreds of online medical surveys each year. The more of them you do, the more you learn what they are looking for in terms of screening criteria. There was a time when I would intentionally give the answers that I knew would qualify me for the surveys even if I was not being completely honest.

For example, I might inflate the number of patients I treat each month with a particular condition. I knew if I said I see 5 patients with that disease, I'd probably get screened out but if I said I see 20, I'd get to do the survey.

I don't do this any more because I get way more invitations than I can possibly keep up with as it is. I don't need to find creative ways to do more.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

All I can come up with is that when I was about 20 and unemployed I stole a bus ride.