He says air conditioning is a waste of money.
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (64914)
September 3, 2026 4:30pm CST
I have a friend in the next block over, who lives next door to an elderly fellow. He’s friendly to everyone but is obsessed about the cost of utilities. He does everything he can to save on his electric bill-who doesn’t? But he sits in the dark, tries to read with a candle, and won’t even run a fan in this heat wave. The heat index was 107 yesterday afternoon and 106 today.
Another neighbor found him passed out cold on his patio. He went outside to sit in the heat. Paramedics were called and he is at the hospital now.
This is just carrying things too far. He isn’t poor. Has a nice home and a new truck. But he simply refuses to run the AC and he doesn’t turn his heat on in the winter until,as he says, he can see his breath inside!!
So foolish…I hope someone at the hospital can convince him that heat can kill you!
19 people like this
19 responses
@Orson_Kart (9037)
• United Kingdom
3 Sep
He’s probably got dementia. It does strange things to your mind. Either that or he is just a tight old git.
4 people like this
@MarieCoyle (64914)
•
4 Sep
No one has noticed any signs of dementia, but yes, I suppose that's possible. I am of the opinion he is just a man who loves money more than anything, but maybe I am wrong. Not trying to judge him but it's reached the stupid stage at this point.
3 people like this
@jaylar (4338)
• Kingston, Jamaica
5 Sep
@MarieCoyle I think you are right. Now I conserve. I plug out everything except the fridge when I go to bed. This is more due to sudden shut downs and then surges. I prefer to shower, put on damp clothes.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (142475)
• Marion, Ohio
3 Sep
Glad he was found in time. He needs to use some kind of cooling. I ran the AC last night and will tonight and you know I don't like to
4 people like this
@MarieCoyle (64914)
•
3 Sep
This heat is beyond horrible. I'm glad you are using your AC.
3 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (142475)
• Marion, Ohio
3 Sep
@MarieCoyle Fan is running beside me right now and the air will be on for bed.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (64914)
•
4 Sep
I don’t think he’s cashed strapped. My friend knows him better than I do. He paid cash for a Ford F-150 truck! Over 100 grand. I think it may just be an overload of cheap.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (64914)
•
6 Sep
@Juliaacv
I'm not sure about that as I don't personally know him, just know of him through his neighbor. He doesn't really mingle with anyone.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (64914)
•
4 Sep
Sometimes people are just being cheap and not taking care of themselves to the ridiculous stage.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (126622)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
3 Sep
I do my best to drink water and have cool fans inside a room to calm down the heat which can be harmiul.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (126622)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
4 Sep
@MarieCoyle I will do my best to stay cool in this heatwave.
2 people like this
@septabchips (2241)
• United Kingdom
4 Sep
That is really worrying. Saving money is one thing, but sitting in extreme heat without a fan or air conditioning can become genuinely dangerous, especially for an older person. I hope he recovers quickly and takes the warning seriously this time. Sometimes saving a few dollars is simply not worth risking your life.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (64914)
•
4 Sep
I hope someone can convince him he's not being smart about this. I did hear he is still in the hospital and has been diagnosed with heat stroke.
1 person likes this
@kareng (83570)
• United States
7 Sep
@MarieCoyle Yeah, someone needs to sit him down for a little talk!
1 person likes this
@kareng (83570)
• United States
9 Sep
@MarieCoyle Yes, he is overboard with it all!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (64914)
•
8 Sep
@kareng
I heard he was really crazy about not spending but he’s reached the ridiculous point.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (52246)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
4 Sep
And that's why "he isn't poor"... he doesn't spend his money. I don't have AC either, but I do aim a fan at me when inside.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (52246)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
6 Sep
@MarieCoyle Well, I like it hot, but I do have a big tree in the backyard that cools things down.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (64914)
•
5 Sep
You wouldn't sit outside in the sun when it was that hot, either. Not spending money can be a good thing most of the time, but he chose it over his own safety. I am glad you have a fan turned on yourself!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (64914)
•
7 Sep
@BarBaraPrz
A big tree can make a huge difference. I am not a fan of hot weather.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (214851)
• United States
3 Sep
Is he of sound mind? That just seems crazy to me.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (64914)
•
3 Sep
He never seems wacky with the exception of the utility bills--oh, and the price of gas for his huge truck. He is a retired high school principal. Maybe the kids made him crazy? Who knows? He's lucky he is alive.
2 people like this
@JESSY3236 (22627)
• United States
8 Sep
Yeah he is taking things too far. Heat can kill you. I have central air and I have the a/c unit on a programed schedule.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (64914)
•
10 Sep
He was in the hospital for 4-5 days. He also had a severe sunburn. I think he is finally back in his home, I hope he uses more sense.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (64914)
•
4 Sep
It did not go well for him. Nearly cost him his life.
2 people like this
@nawala123 (25635)
• Indonesia
4 Sep
@MarieCoyle when money cant help him, money is useless
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (64914)
•
6 Sep
I know how hot Jamaica can be, very tropical. It's been years since I've been there and I recall feeling like I was melting.
@MarieCoyle (64914)
•
7 Sep
@jaylar
I don't know how you all manage there with the power, etc. and the heat. It just can't be easy.
@jaylar (4338)
• Kingston, Jamaica
6 Sep
@MarieCoyle it is really hotter now...they have had to implement various new schedules to deal with out door work and school
1 person likes this
..that's another level of stinginess
@MarieCoyle (64914)
•
6 Sep
You are so right, it's nuts. And it nearly cost him his life, so foolish.
1 person likes this
@mayka123 (17200)
• India
4 Sep
That really is taking saving money far too seriously. There's a big difference between being careful with utility bills and putting your health at risk. With a heat index that high, sitting outside or refusing even to use a fan sounds frightening, especially for an elderly person. Hopefully this experience will convince him that sometimes comfort isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. Saving a little on the electricity bill certainly isn't worth ending up in hospital. I hope he recovers quickly and listens to the advice he's given.
@MarieCoyle (64914)
•
7 Sep
Oh, I think people have tried. He wants things HIS way, not spending money for comfort seems to be something he is determined to do.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (64914)
•
6 Sep
Oh, do I ever agree with your statement. Very foolish on his part.
1 person likes this
