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So Freakin Cheap

So Freakin Cheap

2021Ended1 season6 episodes~42 min/epTV-PGMidcredits score: 6th percentile of all shows (provisional, few ratings)

Four unique families go to extraordinary lengths to save money and live their most frugal lives. Although their methods are quirky and at times comical, it's not all fun and games for the family and friends of an extreme bargain hunter.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch So Freakin Cheap?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists So Freakin Cheap streaming on discovery+ and Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Subscription

Free

Rent / Buy

BuyBuy

Reception

Is So Freakin Cheap worth watching?

So Freakin Cheap's Midcredits score is the 6th percentile of all shows, from 75 ratings across 2 sources (very few ratings yet, so treat it as provisional). 40% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

6th percentile

Better received than 6% of shows

Very few ratings yet, so treat it as provisional.

16th percentile among Reality-TV6th percentile among 2020s
Acclaim (how much people like it)6th
Approval (how many liked it)8th

Acclaim

Mixed: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

55 /100

Very few ratings yet, so treat it as provisional.

6th percentile of all shows

18th percentile among Reality-TV6th percentile among 2020s

Rating distribution

Ratings scatter across the whole scale — one of the most divisive reactions in the catalog.

Approval

How many liked it

40% liked it

8th percentile of all shows

21st percentile among Reality-TV10th percentile among 2020s
40% rated it 7–1060% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

11th percentile

72 ratings across platforms

31st percentile among Reality-TV9th percentile among 2020s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 14% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree the show leans heavily on the format of Extreme Cheapskates and leans into over-the-top staged antics.

Fans praised

  • cringe-hookup reality energy
  • believable until fact-checking broke the spell
  • compared favorably to Extreme Cheapskates

Detractors panned

  • scripted and staged
  • faked for the camera
  • disrespectful to store owners

What stands out

HumorDivisive55

cringe humor works for some but falls flat

Atmosphere50

reality TV tone undercut by fakeness

ActingDivisive25

performances read as fake and scripted

Plot and story20

staged scenarios and manufactured conflict

Episodes

1 season

Season 1 · 2021 · 6 episodes

  • S1E1

    Rather Die Than Pay Retail

    Jun 28, 202143 min
  • S1E2

    Saving for a Rainy Day

    Jul 5, 202143 min
  • S1E3

    Cheap Dreams Are Made of This

    Jul 12, 202143 min
  • S1E4

    Cheap Child o’ Mine

    Jul 19, 202143 min
  • S1E5

    Rolling In The Cheap

    Jul 26, 202143 min
  • S1E6

    Smells Like Cheap Spirit

    Aug 2, 202143 minFinale

Watch experience

What is So Freakin Cheap like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
WarmJoyful
Heaviest: throughout
Warm humor
Register
PlayfulCampy · 2% of shows
Told as
Episodic · 11% of shows: Loosely connected incidents rather than one driving plot.Unscripted · 15% of showsSingle-season story
ToneThe show presents the extreme bargain-hunting antics of its subjects with a lighthearted, playful attitude, though the staged scenarios undercut its sincerity.
The rideConsistently light and affectionate, with no dramatic swings.
StructureEach episode focuses on different bargain-hunting stunts and family interactions, with no overarching plot.
Episode formatEach episode follows a repeated format observing families bargain-hunting.
Season formatOne season covering a range of families with no ongoing arc beyond the format.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
Infuriating · 4% of shows: Leaves you angry at an injustice the film shows, never at the film.Unsettling
Why it leaves you this wayViewers are left frustrated by the obvious staging and concerned about the exploitation of the subjects and their families.
How it ends · evidence
Ambiguous ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18%: Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12%: Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40% (this title)

No archetype fits — true of 40% of shows: ensemble pieces, satire, slice-of-life.

Why this archetypeThis is a reality series following four families who are extreme bargain hunters; it has no narrative plot arc.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfFamilybonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31% (this title): Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% (this title) · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27%: Identity 20% · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11%: Justice 14% · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% (this title) · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Family bondsCommunity: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeThe series examines how extreme bargain-hunting affects relationships within families and among friends.
StanceThe series neutrally observes families' bargain-hunting habits and their social impact.

The world

ContemporaryDomesticUrbanRealistic
PopSupportive music · licenced compilation
Settingeveryday American homes and bargain-hunting venues

Content guide

Is So Freakin Cheap okay for kids?

Ratings in 4 other countries
  • IrelandG
  • MexicoB
  • Poland12
  • PortugalT

No detailed content scores for this title yet.

What content warnings does So Freakin Cheap have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in So Freakin Cheap?

Cast

Anthony Hill
as Bartender

Crew

More like this

What are shows like So Freakin Cheap?

TMDB's suggestions for shows like So Freakin Cheap include Extreme Cheapskates (2011), House Hunters International (2006) and Guy's Grocery Games (2013).

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