Comments on: Social Pressure and Spending

By: Patrenia

Patrenia — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 23:41:56 +0000

You know what Torrey, I love to see others have nice things and I’m sure you are your wife feel the same. I just think that life would be a lot smoother without the added stress to pay for all of it when it’s artificial. Thank you so much for sharing this story and I’m sure many will learn from it.

By: Torrey

Torrey — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 02:11:28 +0000

My wife and I are friends with a couple that live big. Big house, drive Mercedes and an Escalade, take expensive trip….the whole 9 yards! They always laughed at us because we were pretty frugal with our money. We live in a modest home, drive paid off cars, etc.

One day, the husband asked me to teach him how to budget because they were basically broke.

Moral of story – You never know how your personal finance actions will influence your peers. Stay strong.

By: Patrenia

Patrenia — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 15:06:01 +0000

It can be very difficult to keep an older version of an item when a newer version is being offered, but the key is to ask yourself the questions you’ve stated above. Yes, it’s hard, but….

Thanks Ken.

By: Ken

Ken — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 12:14:12 +0000

I usually ask myself, “Does this involve payments?” and “Is the one we have broken?”

By: Patrenia

Patrenia — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 18:12:29 +0000

Yes, social pressure kind of creeps up on you if you aren’t aware. Not sure how you feel, but when I turn down invitations it gives me a sense of “missing out”. The way I reverse it is to think about the greater good of my goals which enables me to release the negative feelings. It’s definitely a process. Thank you so much Susan!

By: Susan Liddy

Susan Liddy — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 01:19:56 +0000

Wow, Patrenia, this is really inspiring me.
I have been making some summer plans recently and have felt a bit of pressure to participate in a couple activities that are actually not comfortably within my budget.
It’s interesting that I don’t think I even noticed this until I read your article.

I’m going to consider how this may be playing a role in my spending habits… This could even extend to accepting too many dinner out invitations too…

Susan

By: Patrenia

Patrenia — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 23:23:54 +0000

It was only supposed to be a walk and people watch, Ms. Freeman. You have got to guard those wandering eyes.

p.s. You can always return that stuff, right?

By: Ms. Freeman

Ms. Freeman — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 03:42:15 +0000

I can definitely say I didn’t handle it very well today. Being unemployed I am on a “fix income” and frivolous spending should be the last thing I need to be doing. I am budgeted to the penny and pushing leftovers to savings.

BUT my sister-in-law called this morning, she just had my niece three months ago and wanted to get out of the house, go to the mall for a walk and people watch. I ended up buying new fragrances from Bath&Body Works and a new pair of “club-ing” shoes.

First of all my club-ing days have long since been over and two I didn’t need six fruity scents of body spray. But, I gave into her need to get out and have a fun girls day.

Ugh!

By: Patrenia

Patrenia — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 23:10:54 +0000

The Jones’ are following you? I thought it was the other way around. I used to be a victim too, but I’ve learned to be in control of that little devil that whispers horrible thoughts into my ears by also being patient. Thanks Nell!

By: Nell

Nell — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 21:37:49 +0000

I hate the Joneses’ but they keep following me everywhere! Social pressure to spend has plagued me for a long time now. I would like to say that I don’t let it get to me, but I do fall victim to it sometimes (except for this iFad craze). One way I have handled it is with patience. If I see something that I want, I just tell myself to wait until it goes on sale, and many times I just completely forget about it anyway.