Have you ever been teased by your friends or family because you choose to be frugal?
You know, gentle ribbing by friends when you tell them that you aren’t going to go out to dinner with the crew because you’re saving to pay off your mortgage? Taunting by your crazy uncle that you’re not going to participate in the fantasy football league? Whispers by noisy co-workers that you’re too, “cheap” to, “go in” on the lottery ticket pool?
Here’s a quick explanation of why I don’t care about what those people say, They’re broke!
Mom always told me to avoid peer pressure and she was so right. Personal Finance is Personal. You wouldn’t take advice about weight loss from a sumo wrestler, so you probably shouldn’t take advice (or respond to pressure tactics) about how to spend your money from people who aren’t successful at managing their own finances.
Don’t get me wrong, I do think there’s a distinction between frugal and cheap. I am frugal, but I’m definitely not cheap (or I don’t think so). Recently a few events/occasions (baby shower & going away party) have come up at work where it’s basically expected that everyone will contribute money for a gift. Instead of feeling weird or bad that I didn’t want to contribute a large sum of money. I offered what I felt comfortable giving (frugal, not cheap!). I’m not going to feel guilt-ed into giving $30, just because everyone else is. If I want to give $10, that’s what I’ll give. And If I want to give $50 when everyone else is giving $10, that’s what I’ll give. And I’ll feel good about it!
Do I feel weird saying, “No” sometimes? No! Do I feel bad about declining an offer? Nope. Do I feel good about continuing to make the, “right” financial moves that will help me build a strong financial future? Absol-freaking-lutely.
Do You Ever Feel Guilty About Saying, “No” to Broke Friends and Co-workers? How Do You Avoid Them?
Image: ecastro