Do your co-workers understand

**Mojjo** · 06-24-2005, 02:57 PM

frugality? Mine all look at me weird when I mention it...or coupons...or rebates...or just general ways I save. And the fact that I bring lunch amazes them, especially since I manage most of them and make more than they do.

It's almost like when I mention eating dinner together at a table everynight.

How about yours?

**AmyMCGS** · 06-24-2005, 03:20 PM

I work part-time, which I started after DD was born. Before that, we were DINK's and I worked 40-50 hours a week (same job, just reduced my hours).

My friends at work tease me a bit about all my coupons, but also understand-- they're all moms, too, and most of them are on pretty tight budgets. (We work in a county-owned nursing home-- none of us make great money!) They were impressed when I told them about the day I had $63 worth of coupons for one grocery trip.... but they also tease me about turning into such a "happy homemaker" and refer to me as Martha Stewart sometimes.

So, yes, I guess they understand, but they're nowhere as frugal as I am.

**Kimberlina** · 06-24-2005, 04:01 PM

Mostly, no. I have one who is more frugal now that she has a child, but other than that, no. They are always going out and buying new cars just because, and buying their lunches in the cafeteria at work of ordering in. Some of them are cheap, though- they spend lots of money for those things, but then only give $1 for group gifts (which I try to give generously to, but I don't buy those other things.)

They do all know I am frugal, though, and that I am not likely to have much money in my wallet at any given time.

**bridge** · 06-24-2005, 05:24 PM

They don't really understand at my office. But Last year for my 30th birthday the decorated my whole office in coupons. They also gave me "coupons" for gifts!!

**rebecca** · 06-25-2005, 05:29 AM

I work at a hospice home with six patients and so there is just the nurse and I on first shift. We are both very conscience on how we spend our money. We let each other know where we find bargains, cut coupons, bring our luch to work, we both have EF. Some of the other staff where I work at are not frugal, but they respect me for being frugal. In fact, some of them don't know how I do it with my income. So, I guess I am pretty lucky that everyone is very understanding about my frugality.

**Jerseygirl** · 06-25-2005, 05:07 PM

Half get it-the half that are older and have mortgages-the ones that are young and live with mom and dad and pay for nothing but their cars, they don't get it. But funny, when they are stopping at old navy on the way home they often ask me for a coupon.

**AmyBoz** · 06-26-2005, 07:40 AM

Not really. It's interesting. I have two friends who are currently looking to get out of their apartments and into houses. Both are recently married. They keep saying how much they would love to live in the area, but that they can't afford it. HOWEVER, they are always eating out, both have huge DVD collections, and are regular shoppers. I've made little hints and suggestions here and there, but they seem to go right over their heads.

**crdurham** · 06-26-2005, 10:37 AM

I don't work now, but when I did I was the frugal queen at my office. Every one made jokes that I had a coupon for everything...and that was probably true...lol...

Most all of them were heavy spenders, new cars, new clothes, etc. There was one lady always complained because she never had any money and was so far in debt and then she would come in with a new $100 purse every few months

.

I have never understood why people don't want to save money when the oportunity is there....

**Mom23boys** · 06-27-2005, 10:40 AM

I have started two of them on the frugal path.

One that isn't frugal brings me her coupons, but then complains about money.

One says I have a coupon for everything and wants to know how I do it, but then refuses to try it.

The others have never said anything that I know of.

**pita1213** · 06-27-2005, 11:00 AM

there are a couple of women at work that understand what i do. one is married to an army guy and has five kids, the other lives with her mom, but her mom moved in with her so she had been on her own for a awhile. some of the others don't understand and like the ones most of you know, they buy their lunch everyday, spend tons of money shopping and then wonder why they don't have money to do other things.
we've had a tight few months because of unexpected car repairs, but that just means we don't go shopping for anything that isn't a real need, like food. we don't eat out unless our folks want to take us out. and we find our entertainment around the house or go to the park.
they call me susie homemaker at work or tell me i'm really domesticated. well duh, i was a stay at home mom for 3 years. i'm not going to let the skills i mastered during those 3 years go to waste. and i never hear them complain about the baked goods i bring in.

i swap recipes with the girl that lives with her mother(natalie) and i have recommended some books to her. she even wants to get into surveys and mystery shopping.

**Telephus44** · 06-28-2005, 08:35 PM

There's really only one person I work with that I discuss frugality with - an older co-worker (he's in his early 60's). He was married while he was young and in the army, his wife was an army wife and they raised 3 kids, so he understands what I'm going though (I'm 27 and just starting out). And he's cool with it. We both bring our lunches to work and eat together.

**Chea** · 07-18-2005, 12:12 PM

Wish I had a frugal buddy at work! I just sit quietly and listen to all of their talk of big budget graduation parties, proms, vacations, house payments etc. I would feel like an alien species if I even started talking about my low heat bill, grocery budget or frugal practices!

**canadian gardener** · 07-18-2005, 12:19 PM

when I worked as an RN, the younger ones didn't "get it". They were too busy spending and racking up debt.

The older ones mostly (not all) did "get it" because they were all complaining to the young ones about the debts, and the bills and the rising costs of everything.

**Lucky Star** · 07-27-2005, 04:23 PM

The area where I live and work is, in general, rather affluent. I'd NEVER discuss my frugal ways with most of my co-workers and our social circle. Like someone mentioned above, I know a lot of people who complain how they can't afford a house in the area, but are driving BMWs, buying lunches in the cafeteria, etc. I, on the other hand, drive an older car that I bought used, bring lunches to work, and in general really try to be careful about what I spend my money on - but we DO own a house!

I AM happy, however, that at the company where I work many people (mostly, the ones who are older and with kids) do bring lunches from home, so I definitely don't feel like an outcast... LOL In my previous job, I could never do that - EVERYONE was eating at the cafeteria and take-out - I'd feel like a black sheep bringing my food from home! Now, being older, I probably wouldn't care as much. But that was my first job out of college and I really wanted to fit in - I can't even imagine how many hundreds of dollars I spent during my time there!

Even with my mom, I wouldn't discuss a lot about frugality. I happened to mention to her that I was starting to do weekly menu planning in order to save money on grocery shopping, and she laughed saying "well, good for you, but I could never do that!" At that point, I decided not to tell her that I also plan on starting to do OAMC... she'd have fallen off her chair... LOL. She also couldn't believe my grocery budget ($300 for 2, which I don't think is really conservative), as she spends twice that amount...

So, I'm beginning to feel more and more that my values don't really fit in with the area where I live... which is fine, because I love it here for other reasons.

**grneyegrl** · 07-28-2005, 05:59 PM

i do get made fun of by my mom(lovingly),best friend and family. but they all love the free or almost free stuff i bring in..they also say i make money cry for mercy

i bring my lunch most everyday and feel guilty when i dont..like i started buying the ceasar salad(under 5.00) and its over filled. ive gotten it 4 time in the past 3 weeks. or ill get coffee and roll.
some of my co workers bring their lunch but most dont.we dont make a lot so i hear how they have no money