Letting people know you're frugal...

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 07-23-2007, 08:31 PM

One of my co-workers was kinda fussing at me today...cause I couldn't take work home with me (which isn't part of the job, anyway). I said I just don't have time at home...he's like "you don't have kids, you should have time". ARGH!

I'm going --- I have older parents that need help (they called asking for help for this evening right after I got back to my desk - how's that for reinforced?); I have a home to keep up/Dh to be there for; and I take in laundry to make extra

. Oops...evidently THAT wasn't cool (to him).

It's extra $$ and I can stay at home...it's friends and family that don't have time to do their own laundry...and I get paid...what's wrong with that?!?! GRRR. He looked at me like I was from Mars or something. What wrong with being a laundry lady or cleaning lady on the side? It's good, honest work and I'm not too proud.

Just had to vent...I knew you all would understand... I'm happy to have some extra

coming in.

**annymoll** · 07-23-2007, 08:44 PM

You owe this co-worker no explanation.A simple"I don't want to take it home" is all he needed to be told.Bless you for being less obnoxious than I am, I would have told him that I preferred to laze around and make love with my husband in my free time.Nothing wrong with making money cleaning or doing laundry for those that do not have the time, or do not want to do it.Some people.

**kallik** · 07-23-2007, 08:59 PM

I'm both a cleaning lady and a washer woman. I make darn good money, and I have plenty of hours left in my day to do other stuff, like take my son to taekwondo, mow the lawn, etc. He's just stuck up. I wouldn't take work home with me either. It was none of his business. The nerve of some people!

**coltsmama** · 07-23-2007, 09:00 PM

The nerve of your co-worker! How is it his business what you do in your free time. You were much nicer than I would have been.LOL And as far as cleaning or doing laundry for extra cash that is great! Was he upset that he was going to have to work since you refused to do extra? Some people!!!

**latierra84** · 07-23-2007, 09:35 PM

i cant believe him. so he'd rather that you work from home for free than work from home and get paid basically.

*shakes fist*

**jamie79** · 07-23-2007, 10:29 PM

Next time he says something to you, I would let him know in no uncertain terms. Its none of his business what you do in your spare time

**Libby** · 07-23-2007, 10:55 PM

Um I had this debate/argument not too long ago with a fellow co-worker who's not even in my department. True all you have to do is say NO and that should be sufficient but for those nosey nitpickers this was my retort - and this was pretty good if I can say so myself:

"Im sorry that you feel you must kiss ass by taking work home. However I have other things to tend to that do not revolve around 'work'. Thats why I commit to them during non office hours. Its "MY" time to choose to do so. Im also very sorry that I seem to be able to budget my time more efficently then you. Nothing personal. I hope I didnt offend you b/c I dont mean to but have a great evening with your homework. See you bright and early tomorrow am!"

And then I walk out of the office at 5pm

I swear she looks likes shes going to have a nervous breakdown anytime soon but she wont change her ways. To me, no job is worth it and b/c shes not living in my shoes she has no right to put me down to make herself feel better. Please do not let your coworker do this to you. Those who hurtle the insults are the envious ones who cant cope. Thats what Ive learned. (Congrats on making the extra cash!)

BTW: Its not like I wont stay late a night or two but only by 1/2 hour max. The work will still be there tomorrow. If it was really that urgent it wouldve made it higher up on my priority list of things to be completed for that day right?

**DJ1972** · 07-23-2007, 11:29 PM

My mom did other people's ironing from the time I was 7 until she passed away 2 years ago. It was a job she could do from home and still care for the remaining 3 kids she had at home and care for my dad(who had to have dialysis 3 times a week for kidney failure). She was the hardest working woman I have ever known, and it never embarassed me that she did other people's laundry.
I agree that you owe your coworker NO explanation. Some people just need to question others work to make them feel better about their own insecurities.

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 07-24-2007, 12:40 AM

Ya know...it's funny... I didn't even think of saying, "it's none of your business"!

He told me I'm "too nice"...no, that wasn't a compliment...he really meant it...as in "pushover". Gee, thanks!

**frooz** · 07-24-2007, 12:43 AM

I work in HR and see people burning out all the time because they can't say no. I hate how some employers expect you to take work home without reimbursing you for it.
I have a full workload and can't always get through everything I am expected to in a day. Years ago I would have worked like a dog to keep up, weekends included. Then I realised that doing that just encouraged people to give me more work. I'm efficient and get through a lot in my day but I draw the line at doing extra for nothing. I walk out the door at 5 with pride and don't care what anyone thinks.
Good on you for saying no.

**jessicaabruno** · 07-24-2007, 03:41 PM

Kathryn,

about this and

to what the others said to you. Really don't have any advice for you on this as well.

Thank you.

**bumplett** · 07-24-2007, 04:05 PM

I'd be happy to take work home - as long as I was being paid for it

I used to take the small irritating things home with me (such as office christmas cards and thank you notes, that sort of thing)
noone else ever wanted to do them - and noone else had to sense to ask to get paid to do so -

sorry your co-worker is so rude - but good for you for standing up for yourself! don't let the little stuff bother you - it's not healthy....

**Telephus44** · 07-24-2007, 09:14 PM

I'm sorry that you co-worker was so rude to you. I used to work late and take work home a lot, but sometime in the last few years I realized that I was giving a lot more to my job than I was getting from it - so I just stopped putting that much time into my job. Not that I didn't work hard while I was at work, but I didn't take it home with me or stay late. I do occasionally stay late for a rare occasion that can't wait (say, I'm waiting for a customer to call me back with an approval on a proof so that we can start printing a job tonight to deliver tomorrow), but I don't stay late just to get stuff done that can wait until tomorrow.

Also - on the "you don't have kids" bit - that shouldn't matter one bit. It's not like people who don't have kids aren't allowed to have a life and they shouldn't be expected to put in more hours just because they don't have kids. That is discrimination - and depending on who the person is, I might mention that.

**frugalfarmwife** · 07-24-2007, 09:36 PM

It's things like this that are the reason hubby won't let me work in a "people" environment, lol (KIDDING). But I've gotten sarcastic enough that I'd have probably made a comment along the lines of "it must suck to have no time for a real life" or "sorry, I've got a life waiting outside of here for me".

And I think it's great you've found a way to make additional income from home!

kj

**Mamaw** · 07-24-2007, 09:49 PM

From a woman who just worked 2 12 hours days in a row....good for you! It can be very hard to say no and to find a work/life balance. You have every right to choose when to work extra hours ( such as a special circumstance or occassion) and when to say no. You also have every right to do whatever other work you want to in order to have extra cash. It was none of your co-workers business what you do after hours. You just continue to do what works for you and your family and tell that idiot to mind his own business. Take care!