Are you more well off than you say you are?

Jay83

For the last few years ive always put some money aside from my wages which i then do not consider part of my spending budget. Ive continued to do this for every pay so once my spending budget is gone i wont go out with friends or go for meals (basically spend on treats) ive always said to friends i have no money to do this or that because i feel like they would say just spend some of your savings and make it up later. Anyway it got me thinking does anyone else do that? basically lie about your situation to help you stay on track? I feel abit bad about it because its making me look like i am so poor with handling my finances.

InsideInsurance

I dont say I have no money, with most my friends they'd offer to pay if I said it and I certainly wouldnt want to freeload knowing I've got money in the bank!

I do however have budgets and once its gone its gone so will decline to do things because I've overspent on other things rather than dipping into other fund buckets.

pinkteapot

You could just say "I've got no spending money left this month". Then you're not lying. And if they're friends, they should understand. I would never try and convince any of mine to spend more than they were happy to.

smunchkinp

i dont lie, but i have a very small circle of friends and we all usually make plans weeks or even months in advance.

CKhalvashi

I certainly am!

We live on about £25,000 a year between us, with two children, (we take home about £140k/year between us) and when the money's gone, it's gone.

We've spent the money in the past on the big house etc etc etc, and now we've got everything paid for, it's nice to be able to save!

CK

YoungBusinessman

Probably, everyone plays the woe is me ticket though and wishes for more...seems like human nature.

nyc_451

Yes, I do lie about my money. It's just not worth saying the truth because someone will be either jealous or push me to spend it or try borrowing from me... Always showing a little bit less than I have.

Sylvia1982

blue_mango wrote: »

Yes, I do lie about my money. It's just not worth saying the truth because someone will be either jealous or push me to spend it or try borrowing from me... Always showing a little bit less than I have.

I totally agree, once you mention you have x amount all of a sudden somebody once to borrow it:eek:.
I tend to avoid answering any questions when anyone even ask about, ' how much much you got?'. Its the only way that i can deal with this question, just by changing the subject.

Wobblydeb

I like to talk about money, and would tell the truth if asked. I'm a bit evangelical about living below your means though, and enjoy a good chat about investing

Now try and define "well off" ......

Most people try and measure that by looking at what you spend. If people had looked at my clothes and my car a few years ago, they would have said I was better off than I am now. Of course they would be wrong. I am wealthier now that I am NOT spending as much on those things.

gothrockchic1

I don't talk about money much but if someone needed it I would lend. I am currently paying all the bills as OH is unemployed so budget is a little restricted right now.

Colin297

Good question.

I sometimes would describe myself as "broke this month" when ive little money in my disposable income budget. I would say that lightheartedly though; not to make people think I'm on the breadline as that's clearly a lie and to be honest, is there anything worse than the person who is always crying poverty?

I try not to live like a stooge though. It's a difficult balance but life is for living and you have to allow yourself a comfortable standard of living.

For example this year i probably spent £500-600 on golf equipment. I also like to treat myself to clothes. Nothing extreme, I just think it's daft to not have a decent pair of jeans or decent golf clubs because you are saving. I appreciate not everyone is lucky enough to have the choice but i think most people are able to allow themselves "treats" whilst still saving in a productive manner.

As a compromise, for example, i sourced my golf stuff online and for very good prices. My stuff could have easily cost well over 1k. All about spending wisely when you do and saving wisely when you do.