WED 2/2 ?-Do others know about your "sacrifices"?

[NancysSummerSip]

Sometimes. Some people don't get it when I tell them I save where I can so I can spend where I want (Donna's mantra), so I don't bother going there. They think I should spend recklessly because they do. Or they think I'm just being cheap, when it's frugality they're seeing.

I try to stay away from financially poisonous people, but sometimes you can't. You work with them, or you are related to them.

[nalto]

Feb 2, 2011 11:50:09 GMT -5 NancysSummerSip said:

I try to stay away from financially poisonous people, but sometimes you can't. You work with them, or you are related to them.

Very true. One of my closest friends is horrible with money, mostly because his parents give him what he wants. He doesn't understand that I have to pay my way, so he gets upset when I don't do anything "fun" with him.

For the most part, nobody really "knows" what I'm doing. I think they all have the idea that I don't just blow my money and I make (sometimes) good choices when it comes to finances.

[Deleted]

"Do others know about your "sacrifices"?"


hmmm... I don't consider our financial decisions as sacrifices.
So, I'll say no....

[Deleted]

Others don't know that I choose not to spend money. I was broke for so long they assume I just can't afford things. Then they are all surprised when I am buying something or going on a trip. People treat me fairly often because they assume I am still broke. I've given up trying to return the favour. I always get a lecture about using my money more wisely.

[ohmomto2boys]

My immediate family knows what I do to save $ and they are all doing the same. Now, I have a cousin who spends pretty freely and gets a tad miffed when I say "no" to something. But, I don't let it bother me. Me and DH decide what to spend our $ on and when we are on a mega save spree (just coming off a spending spree - that we saved for), nothing deters us from it.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

My wonderful DH and my close friends have probably noticed I stopped using heat and a/c a few years ago. And my friends know that when we go out to eat I like to eat at Chevy's ~ 50% military discount. Otherwise, I don't know that most people (other than my wonderful DH) pay that much attention to my spending.

[justwhoever]

Certain members of my family think I am just days away from losing my house and everything in it. Even if we made six figures a year they would still be thinking that! If they knew I had $5 on me..they would for some reason "need" it.

Those that I know who spend their money when they shouldn't...I do not talk to anymore. You can only be around stupid for so long.

[Waffle]

Probably not really. A few people at work have noticed that I'm bringing my lunch more often, but for the most part they think that it's more about dieting than saving money. (It's both).

[Artemis Windsong]

I tell them when they put the guilt trip on about my going out to lunch. I can get a lot of free entertainment and have friends I enjoy these outings with. DH and I are in a lot of activities that we don't discuss in every different group; but we could spend an entire pay check supporting just one. This "entire pay check" came up in a discussion this morning.

My DH needs another snowmobile buddy and thought he found one until I overheard another guy side swipe him with don't get involved they don't have a any close friends.

Some people are put off because I don't have a lot of pal friends (come over for dinner, cards, etc.). In a short time I have found that kind of closeness brings the next step of babysitting their kids, or dog or house. I could do that for my kids every day or every week but I don't.
Vent over.

[texaspn]

I am happy to sacrifice for my kids-but they are very self sufficient and responsible adults now, sacrificing for their own kids while still having a good life-I'm very proud of them.

[patchwork150]

hmm. Perception is tricky.

I don't tell people about my money matters, or complain much, so no I don't think people are aware of my 'give and take' in my $ matters.

From the outside, it probably looks like I am irresponsible with $. I mean, how could I afford those $100 leather boots last month? (they wouldn't know that I got $100 gift money for christmas) How in the world do I plan on buying a car in the spring? I make pretty much the same as my co-workers, and they're struggling! AND I am in college!

I don't go around telling people I have around $12,500 in savings that is growing every month. I don't tell people I am (recently) debt free. I don't tell them that I pay my college out of pocket, and have no student loans. I don't tell them how my husband and I are very frugal, and the bigger purchases we make are USUALLY well thought out and planned.

I choose to live how I do, so that may have something to do with me not complaining. I certainly complained enough 2 years ago when I was 12,000 in debt and had no $ to pay bills with. Looking back now, I know that DH and I caused that whole mess and the stress with it by not being prepared for the unexpected, and by spending everything we made and saving nothing.

[tiredboomer]

I don't really talk much about money issues. One of my co-workers found out about the fact that my mortgage is paid off and she bragged to the others. Occasionally I share the news of a killer deal with a couple of them. Mostly though, I just keep quiet.