What do you think?
Rate this book
The Cheapskate's Handbook: A Guide to the Subtleties, Intricacies, and Pleasures of Being a Tightwad
Packed with hilarious observations, unusual tips, and the stingiest advice money couldn't buy, The Cheapskate's Handbook is a deliciously dry companion for your favorite miser--who might just be you. Skinflint Mifflin Lowe invites fellow cheapskates to come out of the closet in a celebration of all things free, complimentary, pro bono, and if need be, cheap. With advice on everything from avoiding generous impulses to creatively bumming off your neighbors, plus delightful watercolor illustrations and Mifflin's own -Miser's Aptitude Test, - The Cheapskate's Handbook will have you laughing and saving money at the same time. What a deal!
272 pages, Paperback
Published September 21, 2017
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 30, 2026
Please read the review (very good) below and the Amazon comments. If you like humor, you'll like this book. If not, you can give it to a tightwad of your acquaintance.
REVIEW
Literary Scene By Sarasota SCENE | November 29, 2017
By Ryan G. Van Cleave
The Cheapskate’s Handbook
by Mifflin Lowe
The 2.0 reissue of local author Mifflin Lowe’s book, The Cheapskate’s Handbook, comes with a well-earned warning: “This book is gluten-free, tongue-in-cheek, and off-the-wall. Reading may cause sudden, unexpected physical reactions, including guffaws, snorts, and chuckles. For full disclosure, see inside.”
The warning is well-earned because this book is fun. Whether you truly have some Scrooge in your DNA or not, it’s hard to take the Miserliness Aptitude Test (page 5), explore the Roommate Fee List (page 30), or read the “How to Avoid Taking Your Spouse or Significant Other to a Movie” chapter and not crack a smile. Or more.
Lowe is irreverent, silly, and quite often over the top. He also stars in many of the photographs, from the book cover to the aluminum foil ironing on page 230, that’s him!
It’s an enjoyable book whether you read it cover to cover or plunge in for a laugh here and there. Some of my personal favs? Chapter 4.2 (Extended Family: Do You Really Want to Know These People), Chapter 5.2 (You’re Not Getting Older, You’re Getting Cheaper: Growing Old Disgracefully), and Chapter 6.6 (Partying: Such Cheap Sorrow).
Don’t worry, too, about this being outdated. It’s a 2.0 edition, after all, so he gives you the cheapskate view on Uber, Lyft, Miley Cyrus, and more.
Read frugally, and maybe one day you might make it into Lowe’s Cheapskates Hall of Fame!
4.25 out of 5
http://www.scenesarasota.com/magazine...
AMAZON REVIEWS
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best $9.60 I've Ever Spent
ByJoyce Crook on November 6, 2017
I just finished reading the new and improved Cheap Skate’s Handbook by Mifflin Lowe, and the only way you could improve this version would be…well, to make it cheaper, I guess. But still, it’s the best $9.60 I’ve ever spent. (Got mine used, of course. From my wife. I’m no fool.) Miff’s out-cheated himself this time. There’s way more sick gags and cheap laughs and bad behavior and insensitive humor (no, he didn’t forget the “toilet” stuff) than in the previous version. For giggles and guffaws I recommend pages 13-20. For common house laughter go directly to pages 27-29. For downright hilarity refer to pages 32-40. For crying-out-loud chortles and snickers visit pages 56-78. For knee-slappers head over to page 99. For garden variety hoots and holler's check out pages 117-150. Messy-body-part jokes abound from 155-163. And don’t forget the side-splitting pant-wetting comic scenarios sprinkled throughout. I strongly urge you buy this book and read it and prepare to die. Laughing. Or better yet, get someone else to buy it for you and save yourself a small fortune. Wish I thought of that sooner. Damn. Now that I have this book, next time I will. Thank you, Miff.
Hal Crook—Voted 3rd Best Avant Garde Trombone Player in the 02882 zipcode
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a funny, funny book
ByJavabob on April 6, 2018
Ever hear Jeff Foxworthy's famous line "You May Be a Redneck if ...?" Well this book could have been titled, "You May Be a Cheapskate if..." It's hilarious and well written with tongue-in-cheek cheapskate advice for all areas of your life. Don't get me wrong, this book is not about stealing or being dishonest. Its just common sense to the natural miser while the rest of us will howl with laughter and cringe at the same time. The graphics are first rate too as they enhance the pithy little quips found throughout the book. This is a funny, funny book. A work of art really. It would make a great gag gift for any friend of yours who seems to conveneintly forget it's their time to pay for lunch. Just remember to send it C.O.D.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Magnus Opus for Humor
ByYoshida San on October 18, 2017
I am a lover of humor and word play. I've read comic strips from Dagwood&Blondie; BC; Sherman's Lagood - magazines - Mad, Private Eye from the UK - watched shows and movies all glorifying humor. I think this is one of the classic books of humor. I thoroughly enjoyed it and have recommended it to many friends. Ebenezer would probably disapprove - until the end and then he would enjoy giving it at X-mas!! Good work to Mifflin Lowe and look for the next opus on humor - not to be confused with a penguin!! Which is not to be confused with a publishing company!!
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is one funny book! Are you cheap or just thrifty
ByChristina Agnew on November 2, 2017
Format: Paperback
This is one funny book! Are you cheap or just thrifty? This book by Mifflin Lowe will let you know in a very humors way. It is a great read that will make you chuckle all the way through. It is actually also an insightful look at our society that can give you a tongue-in-cheek education. The guidebook will make you laugh all the way to the bank!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Funniest man
By Kim on November 30, 2017
Got this gem at my local bookstore.. It is hilarious!!!!! Dave Barry is now the 2nd funniest writer in America!!! AND after you read it its the perfect gift for the tightwad on your holiday list LOL
5.0 out of 5 stars
Like many of his works the handbook is fun to ...
ByAmazon Customer on September 30, 2017
Mifflin Lowe, a thoughtful and engaging wordsmith. His life experiences and artistic vision contributes to his story telling. Like many of his works the handbook is fun to read and insightful. --Frank G.
REVIEW
Literary Scene By Sarasota SCENE | November 29, 2017
By Ryan G. Van Cleave
The Cheapskate’s Handbook
by Mifflin Lowe
The 2.0 reissue of local author Mifflin Lowe’s book, The Cheapskate’s Handbook, comes with a well-earned warning: “This book is gluten-free, tongue-in-cheek, and off-the-wall. Reading may cause sudden, unexpected physical reactions, including guffaws, snorts, and chuckles. For full disclosure, see inside.”
The warning is well-earned because this book is fun. Whether you truly have some Scrooge in your DNA or not, it’s hard to take the Miserliness Aptitude Test (page 5), explore the Roommate Fee List (page 30), or read the “How to Avoid Taking Your Spouse or Significant Other to a Movie” chapter and not crack a smile. Or more.
Lowe is irreverent, silly, and quite often over the top. He also stars in many of the photographs, from the book cover to the aluminum foil ironing on page 230, that’s him!
It’s an enjoyable book whether you read it cover to cover or plunge in for a laugh here and there. Some of my personal favs? Chapter 4.2 (Extended Family: Do You Really Want to Know These People), Chapter 5.2 (You’re Not Getting Older, You’re Getting Cheaper: Growing Old Disgracefully), and Chapter 6.6 (Partying: Such Cheap Sorrow).
Don’t worry, too, about this being outdated. It’s a 2.0 edition, after all, so he gives you the cheapskate view on Uber, Lyft, Miley Cyrus, and more.
Read frugally, and maybe one day you might make it into Lowe’s Cheapskates Hall of Fame!
4.25 out of 5
http://www.scenesarasota.com/magazine...
AMAZON REVIEWS
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best $9.60 I've Ever Spent
ByJoyce Crook on November 6, 2017
I just finished reading the new and improved Cheap Skate’s Handbook by Mifflin Lowe, and the only way you could improve this version would be…well, to make it cheaper, I guess. But still, it’s the best $9.60 I’ve ever spent. (Got mine used, of course. From my wife. I’m no fool.) Miff’s out-cheated himself this time. There’s way more sick gags and cheap laughs and bad behavior and insensitive humor (no, he didn’t forget the “toilet” stuff) than in the previous version. For giggles and guffaws I recommend pages 13-20. For common house laughter go directly to pages 27-29. For downright hilarity refer to pages 32-40. For crying-out-loud chortles and snickers visit pages 56-78. For knee-slappers head over to page 99. For garden variety hoots and holler's check out pages 117-150. Messy-body-part jokes abound from 155-163. And don’t forget the side-splitting pant-wetting comic scenarios sprinkled throughout. I strongly urge you buy this book and read it and prepare to die. Laughing. Or better yet, get someone else to buy it for you and save yourself a small fortune. Wish I thought of that sooner. Damn. Now that I have this book, next time I will. Thank you, Miff.
Hal Crook—Voted 3rd Best Avant Garde Trombone Player in the 02882 zipcode
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a funny, funny book
ByJavabob on April 6, 2018
Ever hear Jeff Foxworthy's famous line "You May Be a Redneck if ...?" Well this book could have been titled, "You May Be a Cheapskate if..." It's hilarious and well written with tongue-in-cheek cheapskate advice for all areas of your life. Don't get me wrong, this book is not about stealing or being dishonest. Its just common sense to the natural miser while the rest of us will howl with laughter and cringe at the same time. The graphics are first rate too as they enhance the pithy little quips found throughout the book. This is a funny, funny book. A work of art really. It would make a great gag gift for any friend of yours who seems to conveneintly forget it's their time to pay for lunch. Just remember to send it C.O.D.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Magnus Opus for Humor
ByYoshida San on October 18, 2017
I am a lover of humor and word play. I've read comic strips from Dagwood&Blondie; BC; Sherman's Lagood - magazines - Mad, Private Eye from the UK - watched shows and movies all glorifying humor. I think this is one of the classic books of humor. I thoroughly enjoyed it and have recommended it to many friends. Ebenezer would probably disapprove - until the end and then he would enjoy giving it at X-mas!! Good work to Mifflin Lowe and look for the next opus on humor - not to be confused with a penguin!! Which is not to be confused with a publishing company!!
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is one funny book! Are you cheap or just thrifty
ByChristina Agnew on November 2, 2017
Format: Paperback
This is one funny book! Are you cheap or just thrifty? This book by Mifflin Lowe will let you know in a very humors way. It is a great read that will make you chuckle all the way through. It is actually also an insightful look at our society that can give you a tongue-in-cheek education. The guidebook will make you laugh all the way to the bank!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Funniest man
By Kim on November 30, 2017
Got this gem at my local bookstore.. It is hilarious!!!!! Dave Barry is now the 2nd funniest writer in America!!! AND after you read it its the perfect gift for the tightwad on your holiday list LOL
5.0 out of 5 stars
Like many of his works the handbook is fun to ...
ByAmazon Customer on September 30, 2017
Mifflin Lowe, a thoughtful and engaging wordsmith. His life experiences and artistic vision contributes to his story telling. Like many of his works the handbook is fun to read and insightful. --Frank G.
January 17, 2018
I can't say how much I loved this book...the physical book that is. It has a nice suede-like feel to the cover, the formatting inside is fabulous and the genuine text book appearance is rather appealing. The text however left a lot to be desired. I didn't find it funny at all, but instead callous, rude, condescending, and not the least bit helpful. I bought the book, not expecting money saving tips, but instead humor about people who like to save money. This just wasn't my idea of humor. But hey, I'm one book closer to reaching my reading goal for the year, and like I said, the book's texture is oddly pleasant. So it wasn't a total disappointment.
November 17, 2019
Not a typical handbook on saving money, this wonderful little tome will have you laughing out loud with the author's somewhat snarky sense of humor. Would make a wonderful gift for your favorite tightwad, after you read it yourself, of course!
August 15, 2022
Some interesting ideas and I am sure some people might do them. All in all, it was more humorous for me as I can’t see myself being that cheap lol.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews