In the world of extreme saving , some strategies cross a line most wouldn’t dare approach. But for Lydia Abate , a self-proclaimed cheapskate featured on TLC’s Extreme Cheapskates, that line is not just crossed—it’s a full-blown lifestyle.
Living entirely off freebies , from housing to food to fashion, Lydia has become a viral sensation thanks to one controversial habit: funeral tracking . The practice involves seeking out vintage clothing by monitoring obituaries and offering a unique “service” to grieving families in exchange for access to the deceased’s wardrobe.
What sounds shocking to some is, for Lydia, simply a savvy and heartfelt way to live—and save.
In her own words, Lydia explains on Extreme Cheapskates in 2022 “As I’ve got more savvy I’ve realised I don’t just need to be frugal, I can get things for completely free. I’ve been funeral tracking for almost six years.”
She describes funeral tracking as a method of acquiring vintage clothes by looking up obituaries, finding the appropriate window of time, and then approaching the grieving family with a carefully worded offer.
“Funeral tracking is a way of procuring vintage clothes for free by searching the obituaries in the paper then finding the right moment to approach the family and ask if they would be willing to donate their clothes to me in exchange for clearing them out of their house.”
A service exchange
Though many would see the act of contacting bereaved families as crossing an emotional boundary, Lydia insists that her offer is often welcomed—especially when weighed against the cost of estate services.
“A lot of people charge a lot of money to go through and catalogue everything in your house and I actually do that for free,” she tells a grieving son in one scene.
He agrees to let her sort through his late mother’s wardrobe, and while visibly shocked, seems persuaded by the offer.
Lydia arrives prepared for the task, fully equipped for the less-than-glamorous side of estate clean-outs. “Tip number one is to be prepared for the possibility of bugs—I always bring gloves,” she advises.
Viral moment, awkward reality
A viral clip shared on X (formerly Twitter) captures Lydia as she walks up to a stranger’s home following a recent death. She gently knocks and begins with: “I was here to offer a service to you and all that I ask for in return are a few key pieces from her wardrobe.”
She adds, “I absolutely am so passionate about vintage fashion. I would love to give her pieces a second life.”
The man, clearly taken aback, responds bluntly: “You want my dead mom’s clothes.”
It’s an uncomfortable moment that highlights just how emotionally fraught the practice can be. Still, Lydia sees herself as helping both sides: honoring a loved one’s wardrobe while rescuing vintage fashion that would otherwise be discarded.
Living entirely off freebies , from housing to food to fashion, Lydia has become a viral sensation thanks to one controversial habit: funeral tracking . The practice involves seeking out vintage clothing by monitoring obituaries and offering a unique “service” to grieving families in exchange for access to the deceased’s wardrobe.
What sounds shocking to some is, for Lydia, simply a savvy and heartfelt way to live—and save.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DAjV4uTPNoK/?hl=en&img_index=1 https://www.instagram.com/p/DAjV4uTPNoK/?hl=en&img_index=1
In her own words, Lydia explains on Extreme Cheapskates in 2022 “As I’ve got more savvy I’ve realised I don’t just need to be frugal, I can get things for completely free. I’ve been funeral tracking for almost six years.”
She describes funeral tracking as a method of acquiring vintage clothes by looking up obituaries, finding the appropriate window of time, and then approaching the grieving family with a carefully worded offer.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CsMx-daP2x-/?hl=en&img_index=1 https://www.instagram.com/p/CsMx-daP2x-/?hl=en&img_index=1
“Funeral tracking is a way of procuring vintage clothes for free by searching the obituaries in the paper then finding the right moment to approach the family and ask if they would be willing to donate their clothes to me in exchange for clearing them out of their house.”
A service exchange
Though many would see the act of contacting bereaved families as crossing an emotional boundary, Lydia insists that her offer is often welcomed—especially when weighed against the cost of estate services.
“A lot of people charge a lot of money to go through and catalogue everything in your house and I actually do that for free,” she tells a grieving son in one scene.
He agrees to let her sort through his late mother’s wardrobe, and while visibly shocked, seems persuaded by the offer.
Lydia arrives prepared for the task, fully equipped for the less-than-glamorous side of estate clean-outs. “Tip number one is to be prepared for the possibility of bugs—I always bring gloves,” she advises.
Viral moment, awkward reality
obsessed with her pic.twitter.com/4iSWQIMSDX
— oatmeal influencer (@acechhh) May 13, 2025
A viral clip shared on X (formerly Twitter) captures Lydia as she walks up to a stranger’s home following a recent death. She gently knocks and begins with: “I was here to offer a service to you and all that I ask for in return are a few key pieces from her wardrobe.”
She adds, “I absolutely am so passionate about vintage fashion. I would love to give her pieces a second life.”
The man, clearly taken aback, responds bluntly: “You want my dead mom’s clothes.”
It’s an uncomfortable moment that highlights just how emotionally fraught the practice can be. Still, Lydia sees herself as helping both sides: honoring a loved one’s wardrobe while rescuing vintage fashion that would otherwise be discarded.
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