Welcome

MyPic Welcome to Cheap-o Dad. Do you remember when you were a kid and your Dad would sneak you into the drive-in movie in the trunk of the family car? Did you father take you to McDonalds and get you two cheeseburgers and never the Happy Meal or did you Dad get you two pairs of the cheap $15 sneakers with Velcro laces instead of the Jordans you always wanted? Well, if you’re like me, I take pride in passing along these cherished moments to my family. And this is the place where you can collaborate with other fathers on how to spend the least amount of your hard earned money on you're family.

Cheap-o Dad Tip # 21

March 30, 2011

Never buy a toy again!! Toys From Trash I found this site that has a huge list of toys that can be made from ordinary household items (in most cases). A lot of these have some science involved so its a good learning experience also! This one is my favorite one..wish we had something like this when I was a kid! ' >


Cheap-o Dad Tip # 20

February 28, 2011

I love golf. I'm always trying to find ways to get better. One idea would be to go get lessons but those are like 60 bucks an hour, so being a cheap-o that isn't going to happen. So I just watch the golf channel and practice in the back yard and hit the driving range occasionally. Recently, I've seen tour pros and people on the range with these colored sticks. These are training aids so I though what they heck, I'll give them a try. So I looked them up online and they are $15 plus shipping!! For sticks!!??? Really??

So I decided there has to be a cheaper way than pay $15 for some sticks. So I marched down to my Home Depot and found some drive way markers, $1.99 each, see below. Then I used my PVC cutter I use for sprinkler repair to snip off the plastic reflectors. And now I have my very own tour sticks. I just saved $11 plus shipping and handling!! Now I just wish golf was this easy!












Cheap-o Dad Tip # 19

October 22, 2010

Halloween is always a fun time for kids and adults alike. But of course, costumes cost money and if you've seen some of those at the party stores, they ain't cheap. My kid usually gets what she wants with some help from her mom bugging the old man, but I like to dress up too. So I ALWAYS make my own costumes, because Halloween if fun for adults too ya know. So anyway, I try to find some stuff laying around the house and I always try to be something that isn't the typical homemade costume.

This is this year's costume, pictured above, I spent just 99 cents on masking tape - ( we went to Disneyland for a Halloween party, which isn't being cheap-o, that's another tip or two ). But I'll get another use out of it for the real Halloween. Past years I have been

  • A Ceiling Fan ( marker on a t-shirt with "GO CEILINGS" - hello? )
  • Static Cling ( a bunch of socks safety pinned to you )
  • Facebook ( BOOK written on your face )

This is my costume this year. A pat on the back for anyone, if anyone reads this, that can guess what I am! :)


For more great tips on how to save some money, check out the rest of my blog.