We don’t always have the same money habits our friends do. If you’re frugal, it can be frustrating to always turn down a friend who likes to go out and spend money. You can easily get over this by initiating the invitation.
Picture: Mike Nelson
It seems painfully obvious, but this is an issue that occasionally pops up. Many people struggle to hang out with spendthrift friends or even a partner that’s less frugal than they are. I’ve actually seen some money experts suggest ditching spendy friends for thrifty ones. But it seems silly to eliminate friendships simply because someone doesn’t share your financial habits.
MoneyNing points to a better, right-under-your-nose answer:
This one is easy, yet it took me so long to realise that this one powerful switch can change everything. The key to being a frugal friend is to initiate the invitation, with terms that align with your budget. I tend to invite friends over for dinner at my place, or out for happy hour. I also enjoy going out for walks, hanging in the park, or going for coffee or tea. All friendships are different, but those are my frugal standbys and help show that I want to spend time with my friends, without spending a lot of money.
If you have a friend or even a partner that always makes suggestions that cost money, turn the tables. Start initiating the hangouts. They won’t feel neglected, and you won’t feel over-budgeted.
MoneyNing offers a few more helpful tips too. Check out the full post.
How to Be a Frugal Friend Without Being Rude [MoneyNing]
Comments
3 responses to “If You’re Frugal And Your Friends Aren’t, Initiate The Invitation ”
Being Frugal is just a nicer way of saying i’m a cheapskate. Good example, friend does the same thing, always suggests having dinner at her place, can’t go to the movies as don’t have any vouchers from the shopping receipt. Yet she still pays for a gym membership she hardly goes to and buys her coffee every morning. For someone that is “frugal” you would think they would find a alternative to buying coffee every morning and either use that gym membership or maybe cancel it and do workouts at home. About as bad as people who always ask is this meal Gluten Free because i’m trying to lose weight.
Gluten free to lose weight, i’ve seen that and yes it’s dumb.
But by being frugal with some things you can splurge on other things. Plus some people probably enjoy the ‘thrill’ of bargain hunting.
yea, doesnt work. ive got a cheapskate friend and i simply stopped doing anything with him because you just knew he was either not gonna have the money to do anything or would always try to find the absolute cheapest way of doing it.
its just not fun hanging around these people. you just simply get sick of their cheap ways.