{"id":384,"date":"2010-06-14T13:56:19","date_gmt":"2010-06-14T10:56:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/?p=384"},"modified":"2010-06-14T13:57:01","modified_gmt":"2010-06-14T10:57:01","slug":"the-cheapskate-within","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/?p=384","title":{"rendered":"The Cheapskate Within"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Ask any friend of mine, and they\u2019ll tell you that I\u2019m one of the biggest cheapskates that they can think of. Some would even go as far as saying, much worse from the average Malayalee. <\/p>\n<p>To quote an example, a friend was selling his iPhone 3GS to upgrade to iPhone 4, and I offered him RM 500. One point in time, Megafon was offering 100 years validity for 150 rubbles? Worried that my great-great grand kids might not be able to benefit from this, I extended my cell number validity for 200 years. It\u2019s not like I\u2019m trying to be frugal or maximizing my budget because heaven knows I can splurge like a woman when it comes to it.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/image.png\" rel=\"lightbox[384]\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px\" title=\"image\" border=\"0\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/image_thumb.png\" width=\"148\" height=\"244\" \/><\/a> Ensuring my great grand kids can benefit from the extended validity.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>&#160;<\/p>\n<p>Here is photographic evidence of how much of a cheapskate I can be. Over the years of studying here in Moscow I\u2019ve collected several \u201ctrophies\u201d for my achievements. <\/p>\n<p>Click pictures for enlargement!<\/p>\n<p>&#160;<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p align=\"center\">All my discount cards in their full glory under proper lighting.<a href=\"http:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Cards001.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[384]\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px\" title=\"Cards 001\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Cards 001\" src=\"http:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Cards001_thumb.jpg\" width=\"244\" height=\"184\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>&#160;<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Cards012.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[384]\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px\" title=\"Cards 012\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Cards 012\" src=\"http:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Cards012_thumb.jpg\" width=\"244\" height=\"184\" \/><\/a>&#160; The first card I ever procured. A discount card for the nearby Sinbad Restaurant. The card is useless now as discount is given to everybody and no longer the elite few.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Cards013.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[384]\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px\" title=\"Cards 013\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Cards 013\" src=\"http:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Cards013_thumb.jpg\" width=\"244\" height=\"184\" \/><\/a> The second card I procured in the first year of school. The card is no longer valid because Ramstor was taken over by Auchan city. This card allowed special discounts on certain products on specific days. If I recall correctly, fruits and vegetables went cheap at Ramstor on tuesdays or thursdays.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>&#160;<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#160;<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Cards009.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[384]\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px\" title=\"Cards 009\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Cards 009\" src=\"http:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Cards009_thumb.jpg\" width=\"244\" height=\"184\" \/><\/a> Another card for a grocery store. It allows access to prices for club members for certain goods. There is also a point collection system but what it could be used for remains a mystery!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#160;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Cards010.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[384]\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px\" title=\"Cards 010\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Cards 010\" src=\"http:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Cards010_thumb.jpg\" width=\"244\" height=\"184\" \/><\/a> Here\u2019s a card I don\u2019t utilize too often. This is the Malina card that can be used at most of their partner outlets including TGIF, IlPatio, Planet Sushi, etc etc.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Cards011.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[384]\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px\" title=\"Cards 011\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Cards 011\" src=\"http:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Cards011_thumb.jpg\" width=\"244\" height=\"184\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p> This is the sportsmaster club card. Basically they sell sporting goods, and the card allows some point collection and shit, together with discounts on certain goods. I\u2019m such a cheapskate, I have this card, despite not playing nor excelling at sports.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Cards005.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[384]\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px\" title=\"Cards 005\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Cards 005\" src=\"http:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Cards005_thumb.jpg\" width=\"244\" height=\"184\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>This card is courtesy of AnuIsAFag. She often brings me to this shop nearby the hostel that sells toiletries. The prices aren\u2019t that great, but the selection is pretty big. This card offers some discount for metrosexual faggots and women.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#160;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Cards003.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[384]\"><u><font color=\"#999999\"><\/font><\/u><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px\" title=\"Cards 003\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Cards 003\" src=\"http:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Cards003_thumb.jpg\" width=\"244\" height=\"184\" \/><\/a> The Stockman membership card. Stockman could be called a grocery store\/department store that caters towards upper class Russians and expatriates.Elitists such as myself frequent this store often, so it\u2019s a good thing to have.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#160;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Cards006.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[384]\"><u><font color=\"#999999\"><\/font><\/u><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px\" title=\"Cards 006\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Cards 006\" src=\"http:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Cards006_thumb.jpg\" width=\"244\" height=\"184\" \/><\/a> This is my favourite card. This is for the franchise Quick-Burger. Their burger selection isn\u2019t great, but they have this wonderful lava-cake desserts called Flan. It is the most amazing thing you would have ever had the opportunity of tasting. For poor people who can\u2019t afford Gordan Ramsey cuisine, this will do. The card offers a 15% discount.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#160;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Cards004.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[384]\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px\" title=\"Cards 004\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Cards 004\" src=\"http:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Cards004_thumb.jpg\" width=\"244\" height=\"184\" \/><\/a> This is a gold member card for the pub\/restaurant known as the Red Bridge. Excellent atmosphere to catch the world cup games if you have the time. Prices are decent, and one female waitress is fucking hot. Card offers a 10% discount.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#160;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Cards008.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[384]\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px\" title=\"Cards 008\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Cards 008\" src=\"http:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Cards008_thumb.jpg\" width=\"244\" height=\"184\" \/><\/a> This is a discount card for the Sushi\/Italian restaurant down the street near the hostel. Personally I\u2019ve never been to the Italian place on the second floor, but I find myself frequenting the sushi place pretty often. I don\u2019t even like Sushi. Card provides a lousy 5% discount.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#160;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Cards007.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[384]\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px\" title=\"Cards 007\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Cards 007\" src=\"http:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Cards007_thumb.jpg\" width=\"244\" height=\"184\" \/><\/a> Marks and Spencer shoppers card. Only ever used once, and even then not by me. Not entirely sure what it does, but I would imagine discount on selected goods and a point based redemption system.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#160;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Cards015.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[384]\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px\" title=\"Cards 015\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Cards 015\" src=\"http:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Cards015_thumb.jpg\" width=\"244\" height=\"184\" \/><\/a> Not a discount card per-say but this card will give you a 600 rubble gift certificate if you get sushi delivered to you for 6 times. It\u2019s not all that bad considering, since you only need 700 rubbles of sushi per delivery and you could easily reach that amount by sharing delivery with a few of your friends. I don\u2019t care so much for sushi so I just settle for the tempura chicken stuff with some teriyaki chicken and rice.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>I have several more cards that I\u2019ve collected over the years. I also have an IKEA Family card that AnuIsAFag is utilizing at the moment, so I was not able to take a snapshot of that. Various other cards were lost over the years in the abysmal chasm that is known as my room. Alas this is all that remains.<\/p>\n<p>&#160;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Cheapskates for a better future.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ask any friend of mine, and they\u2019ll tell you that I\u2019m one of the biggest cheapskates that they can think of. Some would even go as far as saying, much worse from the average Malayalee. To quote an example, a friend was selling his iPhone 3GS to upgrade to iPhone 4, and I offered him [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/384"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=384"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/384\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":385,"href":"https:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/384\/revisions\/385"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=384"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=384"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hypog.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=384"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}