What do your friends think of your frugality?

**Droppedonmyhead** · 08-05-2006, 10:55 PM

I think my friends think I'm weird. They have plenty of money and don't want for anything. Until recent years, I have always had to struggle. They have some terribly wasteful habits and I'm always on their case about it. But I still love them anyway!!!! lol!!

**babetteq** · 08-06-2006, 02:35 AM

Most of my family are pretty frugal themselves, so they think it's a good idea, although they think I'm a bit of an odd duck for somethings. For instance, I happily go through the woods foraging for yummy food. Mushrooms, greens, berries, fiddleheads, fishing, roots etc..... that can be made into very delicious food (some stuff that's 'food' in the woods is pretty yucky... I leave that). I reuse old socks, shirts, bags, blankets, tarps,.... I save bits of tape, elastics, I've been known to wash off aluminum foil and plastic wrap (I hate buying it). I always have a ziploc drying system. It's become a bit of a game to me to see what I can do with what.

Friends? They think it's pretty quirky, although they're all in debt. ha ha.

babs

**autumnlynn** · 08-06-2006, 04:25 AM

My friends are not happy about my frugality. They don't like the fact that I no longer go out to eat several times a week and make numerous trips to the mall. My values are now different from theirs. I am interested in making a sound, secure home for me and my family. My friends are interested in the latest fashions, latest make-up, seeing new released movies at the theatre, eating at trendy restaurants. These things just aren't important to me. I am not the same person they knew 2-3 years ago.

I like to invite friends to my home, talk, watch a DVD and fix them something to eat. They are convinced that I am having severe money struggles and buy me gifts quite often. I tell them I am doing fine and they tell me I don't have to explain anything to them. They just don't get it.

I don't go into my finances per se with my friends, but they can see I have definitely changed. My focus and interests are different from theirs.

**Daisygirl** · 08-06-2006, 05:53 AM

I get differing reactions. I have a few friends that see how much easier my life has become that ask me for advice -- I gladly give them suggestions but they rarely take them. They like the idea in concept but don't want to give up anything to put it into practice.

Then I have friends that sound a lot like Autumn Lynn's. They are disappointed when I don't want to go shopping, out to dinner at the drop of a hat, and the like. I am single but have no interest in the bar scene, going out and spending $50 on overpriced drinks so other drunks can look down my shirt. Because of this fact, this group of friends is conviced that I am severely depressed, lol. I figure I am the sanest one of all of them!

**danni** · 08-06-2006, 10:29 AM

My friends and family are all really supportive . My sister who makes 5x more money than us asked me to help her with her budget and to teach her how to shop. We get some weird looks when we go shopping with our wagon, (we don't have a car) but it's what works for us right now.

**starsapphire** · 08-06-2006, 11:27 AM

If my friends knew, they would be very supportive I'm sure. But we don't really talk about money or frugality. I guess our focus is in a different direction whenever we get together. Some of them do know I'm on a plan and paying my CC's off and are happy for me about that.

I don't know for sure but I think that the people I work with think I'm cheap. I go out to lunch with them only occasionally, I never buy the school fundraiser junk (except when they were selling pizza coupon cards, those were a good deal) and I b**ch every time they come around collecting money for a gift for someone. Lately for potlucks at work I've been bringing things like deviled eggs and spaghetti instead of the more expensive dishes that I used to bring so I wouldn't look cheap LOL. The peer pressure to spend can really get out of hand at my job.

**kabin63** · 08-06-2006, 04:16 PM

My friends are ok that I am into being frugal because many of them are too. I have to admit that sometimes it is hard to not be able to go to the store to buy whatever, whenever, but I am getting far more used to the peace that comes from paying your bills on time rather than being scared of how to pay a bill. Peer pressure never really worked for me in school. If I didn't want to do something stupid everyone else was doing there wasn't anyone going to change my mind.

**MrsB** · 08-06-2006, 04:59 PM

We get different reactions also. Some are ok, but some think we're weird. Oh well.

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 08-06-2006, 05:12 PM

Most of my friends are frugal the few who aren't are always wondering how we can be going on trips and not working all the time. They are spendthrifts and have filied for bankrupcy more than once. The frugal batch just sits backs and shakes its head at the in-debt ones. We all seem to get along.
Every now and then one will ask for help but they just can't stick to it.

Laurie in Bradenton