Case in point... my company periodically allows us to wear jeans to work in exchange for making a $5 donation to one of their charities. Sometimes I do this and sometimes I don't. Recently, we were given this option and a co-worker asked me if I was going to do it. I said no, that I had better used for the $5 this month. She laughed and said I wouldn't even miss that $5 and to stop being so silly.
Then today another coworker and I were discussing gas. I said I might stop and put a gallon of gas in my tank at a station by our office, as I am running low. Then tonight I would fill up at a station by my house that is always cheaper plus I get a credit card rebate for using their gas. The savings per gallon comes to about 15-20 cents by going to the gas station by my house, which is roughly a $3.00 savings. She told me I was stupid for stopping twice for gas just to save a measly $3.00. I was really offended by her remarks. $3.00 is not much but over a year it really adds up. And in my opinion, not wasting $3.00 and, instead, putting it into savings is well worth the effort in the long run.
So, am I crazy for being annoyed? Or is this just par for the course when you are careful with your money.
I think some people really don't get it. Either they make enough money that they can afford everything they want or (more realistically) they charge things they want and carry some debt. If they carry debt, they assume it's normal and expect others to be the same as them.
ReplyDeleteYou have the right to do what you want with your money. Saving for the future may not be the "American Way", but it is the smart way!!
You go girl
I think you have a right to be annoyed. If you only saved $5 per month by not wearing jeans, you can save $60 a year or $600 in 10 years. While $600 is all that much money in the long run, if you are actively saving $5 here, $3 there, $20, etc, it really starts to add up!
ReplyDeletePeople who aren't as conscious of where their money is going just don't think like that. Be prepared to face a lot more comments like this one as you start your year of tracking your expenses.
The it's only $.... philosophy is why most American are in debt. Little saving here and there are what add up to big savings over time. I get annoyed by peoples attitude towards frugality,too. It really makes me mad when people judge my family because we don't take expense vacations or spend weekends shopping at the mall. I would rather live a simpler lifestyle and be debt free, than an extravagant one and be in debt. The "thrill" you get from the extravagant lifestyle is only fleeting, anyway.
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