What frugal things do you STOP doing when guests visit

**Ebbie** · 01-09-2010, 09:30 AM

I just thought of this today....when guests visit there are some frugal habits that I stop doing in deference to my guests. It's not that I don't believe in my frugal ways, or that I don't want to be an example of money-saving measures, but it's that I realize that some of my measures are extreme and non-frugal guests might not either understand, or it might be a bit of a shock to them.

So here are some frugal things I don't practise when guests visit:

- I don't water my juice...again, I'm accustomed to the watered-down taste but they probably wouldn't be

- I resume flushing after every use...pretty self-explanatory!

- I turn up the heat to more traditional levels, especially if kids or the elderly are visiting. And then when it's what seems to me VERY warm, my guests still comment that it's cold! LOL!

Anyway, just wondering if you do things differently with guests in the house.

**ladykemma2** · 01-09-2010, 09:42 AM

i turn the air conditioner to 70.
i use the dishwasher.
i turn on more lights than normal.

**Samigirl** · 01-09-2010, 10:01 AM

I turn up the heat.

I don't wash and reuse my baggies.

I don't lay my damp clothes over the chairs of my house. I use my dryer more.

I generally spend a little more to entertain. For example, if my kids are having a sleepover, I'll rent them a video game or order pizza, etc...

**mombottoo** · 01-09-2010, 10:08 AM

Nope, I do things exactly the same as I would if they weren't visiting when it comes to heat, etc. The only allowance made at all is to my dad, he is allowed to smoke in the house...all others go outside or down in the basement. I won't make him smoke outside or downstairs because he is getting up there in age and he's my dad.

**Contrary Housewife** · 01-09-2010, 10:28 AM

We eat out, and we drive all over the place. Some of our friends are bbq enthusiasts, and even though I make excellent bbq and have served it at home, we like to go out and try new places together. Same with thai food. Then, since our guests don't know the city, we drive them everywhere. We can use half a tank or more in 2-3 days.

**Debbie-cat** · 01-09-2010, 10:33 AM

Our overnight guests usually consist of mMom or our her close friends from Canada. If my Mom is staying I turn up the heat a little. She has arthritis bad and it helps her. My friends I don't as they don't mind it cooler. Also both of them always have the tv on. My Mom is an avid tv watcher and my friends have their kids with them so the kids watch cartoons. Other than that, just more lights.

**jlaporte** · 01-09-2010, 10:46 AM

Not much really. The friends I do have know how frugal I am and actually ask me to show them how and what I do. They love it and I have seen them pick it up. But I guess I do do 1 thing diffrent I will use more milk in my coffee idk why I do that lol or and I dont wash the dishes right away I figure we need our time they can wait an hour lol.

**checkerkitty** · 01-09-2010, 11:10 AM

I tend to buy food I normally wouldn't buy like Diet Coke and donuts. We also end up bringing food in to eat since my family can be so indecisive about eating when they visit. It drives me insane so I finally just say that I'm going to get something since it's too late to cook. End of discussion.

**frugalwarrior2** · 01-09-2010, 11:19 AM

I yam what I yam. Or something like that. We really don't entertain but when I go to a restaurant w/ friends I wear all my best resale clothing,take the leftovers and use coupons. So do the rest of us. We are all middle aged and are comfortable w/ each other. Also, I am not in it to impress. I hated the days when everyone threw out the food because the big boss was there. What a waste.

I am fortunate my family is like me. Or worse.LOL.

**MandaRenee** · 01-09-2010, 11:37 AM

We use more lights, especially if the company is dh's family. His mother will literally turn on every light switch she passes. lol

**Ceashels** · 01-09-2010, 11:43 AM

I plan on desserts and snacks to have available, either home made or a bag of pretzels or chips.
The heat gets turned up during the weekday more readily.
The guest room gets a little heater as well.
I'm less likely to go around behind them and turn out the lights. hehehe

**IntlMom** · 01-09-2010, 12:54 PM

Count me in on the "heat up, a/c down" thing.

edit: also, when my parents are here, we drive all over the place, and I tend to just shop like a crazy woman....

**Libby** · 01-09-2010, 01:12 PM

Hmmm...good question. Whenever my immediate family comes over, not a lot changes as they know how my dad and I are.

When my actual relatives & friends come to stay we generally use more utilities & groceries but that's normal b/c there's more bodies in the house.

The exceptions to our frugality would be using the car more then our needs and just doing more with our guests.

Example: entertainment - going shopping, sightseeing and ordering in/eating out plus buying snacky junky items vs not having them.

**frugalfranny** · 01-09-2010, 01:14 PM

Good post - this got me to thinking......

I use my dishwasher more - saves time so we can visit.

Depending on the visitor - I will shop more. Quilting friends can't visit without going to AT LEAST one quilt shop!

If they are the first to make coffee, I don't instruct them to re-use the grounds....so new coffee every day.

I will go out to eat more unless I get the crock pot going - again, fun- and so we can visit.

More money spent on gas.

**peanut** · 01-09-2010, 08:44 PM

Hmmm...I had to think about this...

~ We raise the heat when guests are here.
~ We also offer them free Internet access...and don't gripe about them leaving their computer on all day while they're upstairs visiting us!
~ We turn on more lights and leave them on.
~ We might buy special food to cook...especially if they have special diets.
~ We drive more places to do things and show them around...if they want.

Mostly we don't have company stay for very long. So these things aren't a big issue for us.