In the world of extreme saving, some strategies cross a line most wouldn’t dare approach. For Lydia Abate, a self-proclaimed cheapskate, that line isn’t 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. What sounds shocking to some is, for Lydia, simply a savvy and heartfelt way to live — and save. She describes funeral tracking as a method of acquiring vintage clothing by offering a free estate clean-out service in exchange for keeping a family's dead relative’s clothes. 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. Lydia sees herself as helping both sides: honoring a loved one’s wardrobe while rescuing vintage fashion that would otherwise be discarded.
