Peer Pressure!

QueenB.

I can understand what you are saying, it can be hard when everyone around you seems to be out enjoying themselves all the time, buying new clothes, having beautiful homes or new clothes. But as others have said alot of them have it on credit. I know those things do not bring me the happiness becoming DFW has, the idea that i will be free and back in control of not only my money but my life is priceless.

The problem i find is that i now get so excited about small things, like getting free DVD rentals through Quidco, or getting a voucher or a freebie etc, you know what i am on about LOL, but trying to share such little joys with non DFW/MSE can be a little disheartening. There is either strange looks or little comments sometimes you can find you just get laughed at, but i know that i am happy with my life choices now and i also know that i can come here and share those little joys with others who really understand.

kuohu

I too hate peer pressure, or 'keeping up with the others in the office'. It's like a competition at times: who has the best car, best clothes, who is going on the best holiday, the list goes on.

It'd be so much easier being a DFW if it wasn't for having to associate with these people!

nearlyrich

I got rid of Sky about 6 months ago, not really because I couldn't afford it although I would rather spend or save the money for something else.

I just got an offer for 2 months at 66p and I am not tempted at all!

I don't miss the endless repeats one bit.

Some of my friends thing we are strange as they all have Skyplus but to be honest TV is not that important to me.

dudleyboy

I must admit it's difficult not to keep up with the Jones'. I live in an area that's quite affluent and it's clear that everyone around me is quids in - premiership footballers live in the area, for example - not that my flat is anything like their appartments! - gawd, if only!! - but when i'm out at the weekend in my TKMaxx and Primark best you can certainly tell who's well off and who isn't (and who spends their days in a gym as opposed to an office :rolleyes: - oh well)

I guess the point is is that i'm [STRIKE]happy[/STRIKE] content with my lot and although I might have nowt, debt is less than nowt... and so with every monthly repayment i'm that little bit wealthier... even if it doesn't show.

in*the*red_6

OberonSH wrote:

With you being DFW's, I'm assuming that you've got rid of sky, 2nd car etc. Can you say you miss them? Do you sit there at night and think, 'my god, my life just isn't complete without 500 channels of rubbish being beamed into my home!!'. I bet the answer is no.

Sometimes I feel odd for not being able to buy my DD loads of new clothes and toys, but a customer said to me today that kids don't rememeber the dust, or the clothes - just the time you spent with them, and that made me feel like I'm doing the right thing. When I'm Debt Free I want to take my daughter on holiday so we can make some memories, not dress her up in silly designer clothes, or buy her the latest toys. She's happiest with a box and I'm not rushing around trying to stop her getting her £40 outfit dirty!

Completely agree with this, when I see people spending small fortunes on unnecessary things for their children such as designer clothes I think 'more fool you', I'd rather give them a secure future by paying off our debts and then saving for their university or house deposits. In 20 yrs time, who's going to know or care if they were dressed in Oillily or the like, certainly not them.

HenryWeston

OberonSH wrote:

Sometimes I feel odd for not being able to buy my DD loads of new clothes and toys, but a customer said to me today that kids don't rememeber the dust, or the clothes - just the time you spent with them, and that made me feel like I'm doing the right thing. When I'm Debt Free I want to take my daughter on holiday so we can make some memories, not dress her up in silly designer clothes, or buy her the latest toys. She's happiest with a box and I'm not rushing around trying to stop her getting her £40 outfit dirty!

kids love old boxes etc to play with, they dont need expensive toys which get played with for 5 mins and then forgotten about, i gave my sisters boy an old badge off my car the other day..... he thought it was great! cost nothing:D

yummum_3

Thanks for all your replies! Wow! Its great to have so much support. You are all doing so well and I feel ashamed that I nearly fell of the moneysaving wagon.

So many of you agree to also have felt this peer pressure. I must say that most of this peer pressure is me thinking that if they can have it they must be able to afford it, and therefore I can afford it too (although I can't). I know that if I worked full time we could then have these extra things, but like so many of you have said its not about having things that make a life better its the memories. So knowing that my time with babs is the most important thing I can give her is a reward in itself!

Busybody

A few months ago I was doing a Market Research GIG you know where they pay you for sitting there for an hour and a half talking about things, and the bloke (up his own ....) asking the questions picked up on the fact that I seemed to always look for bargains, and looked me straight in the eyes in front of all the other women and said ' do you ever pay full price for anything?' in a put down sort of tone, I just stayed cool and said 'not if I can help it'

dudleyboy

Busybody wrote:

A few months ago I was doing a Market Research GIG you know where they pay you for sitting there for an hour and a half talking about things, and the bloke (up his own ....) asking the questions picked up on the fact that I seemed to always look for bargains, and looked me straight in the eyes in front of all the other women and said ' do you ever pay full price for anything?' in a put down sort of tone, I just stayed cool and said 'not if I can help it'

Good for you, Busybody!! :T

That guy sounds like a complete arz! Seriously, even if you were not a DFW, why would anyone be willing to pay MORE for something that they can get cheaper elsewhere?

"oh, yarh, i did see it advertised in the sale at Woolworths for £7.99 but decided to buy it from Tower Records instead at the RRP of £25".

Like you would!

newleaf

I'm reminded of the car sticker seen in rear windows which reads 'This car may be old, but it's in front of yours and it's paid for'.