When you’re in a financial bind, the ultimate money-saving move is to move back in with the parents.  Avoiding those huge monthly rent payouts is great, but it’s important to note that living with your parents as an adult is a whole different ballgame.  It takes a careful finesse and some behavioral fine-tuning.  The following guidelines should get you through until you’re back on your feet:
1. Perform unsolicited chores.  Your parents now have a rather pathetic adult child cramping their style; this gives them major leverage.  Making yourself helpful around …

When the Schnorrer goes to an ice cream emporium, he instinctively understands that it may be worth his while to forgo his turn in line in order to be served by the plumpest counter person in the store.  The Schnorrer has gleaned from life experience that a chubby person serves ice cream to others as he would serve unto himself—large, overflowing scoops, extra whipped cream, more nuts and an auxiliary cherry or two.  To be an accomplished Schnorrer is to realize that character is destiny.
Who is the Schnorrer?
Who knows what …

An entire sub-specialty in advanced schnorring studies revolves around techniques for eating the lion’s share of the food at restaurants while paying the gazelle’s share of the bill. But an alternative tactic relies on the intricate mathematics of check-splitting and the fair-minded equality of your dining compatriots. It also relies on timing.
Arrive at the restaurant early and head straight to the bar. Load up on drinks and appetizers. If you’re feeling daring, buy an appetizer to go and stuff it out of sight in your bag. When the rest of …

Do you cringe when you get that Trojan horse of a letter from your cable company which starts by telling you how honored they are to serve you.  You know what’s coming next as surely as heart burn follows jalapenos…..a rate increase.  While most look at this as a harbinger of gloom, the Schnorrer looks at this as an opportunity….to renegotiate.
Most companies providing basic services such as phone, internet, cable, etc realize that these are open to competition.  When the inevitable letter arrives, the Schnorrer finds out which department is …

The Suggested Donation Event is a baited operation that has the potential of exposing a schnorrer’s motives, and, in turn, damaging their reputation.
A schnorrer with a bad reputation is called a Mooch, and, say it with me, once a mooch, always a mooch! After an undesirable exposure, the schnorrer must uproot, say farewell, and find a new habitat to start anew. Humans are an unforgiving bunch.
If you find yourself drawn to a Suggested Donation Event, I strongly advise you to consider the following:
1.)   Either have the Suggested Amount of Donation …

Any nicotine fiend surely knows that cigarette prices are through the roof, but knowledge alone is never enough to crush your craving.  Fortunately, this situation can usually be saved by simply asking your fellow smokers for a kick-down.  Bumming is by far the most widely accepted way to Schnorr a smoke.  In fact, most smokers have probably turned to it at least once in their life.  The true Schnorrer, however, manages to turn it into an art form. 
1.  Choose your hunting grounds.  To maximize your potential earnings you are going …

One of the most useful articles found on the web from lifehacker.com – Thanks Matt for the link!
First Quarter (Jan/Feb/March)
Gas grills & air conditioners: They’re obviously off-season, but it’s not like “next year’s model” will be remarkably better or different.
January
Bicycles & Sporting Goods: Not only is it prime off-season pricing, you’ve got the attention of salespeople who think they’re talking to someone who’s for real about their exercise.
Furniture: It’s both a lull and a changeover for the showrooms, so find that dining room set and haggle.
Digital frames: Hey, where’d all …

Dear Schnorrer,
I live off campus with a bunch of my fraternity brothers.  We order Chinese food every once in a while.  Tom usually orders the food.  A couple of days ago, Tom was studying so I ordered the food.  When the food arrived we got a complimentary can of soda as well as dumplings for ordering a certain dollar amount.  It turns out that Tom has been drinking the free soda and claiming that he’s the one who ordered the dumplings as his dinner……….he is essentially getting a free meal …

Craigslist.com is the best internet site too mooch off of since slice bread. Don’t have enough money for a hair cut, dye or perm? Then go on the “Free” section of Craigslist where you can be a ‘head model’ – an armature beautician experiment for a grade. Want a free tattoo? Go on Craigslist. There are many tattoo artists want to try a new style of art or build up their portfolio for their businesses. Looking for a (used) leather couch, table, and baby crap? It’s on Craigslist. It’s amazing …