Avoiding Collections At Work!

justin1972uk

Does anybody have any tips for avoiding collections at work?

I know I may sound like a skinflint, but some weeks, I can be paying out three or four pounds on collections.

The main scenarios are probably:

Birthdays;
Leaving presents;
Weddings and anniversaries;
Dress-down days for charity.

However, just recently, some colleagues have asked for money to buy gifts for staff whom are simply moving departments! It just seems a bit much to me.

I was penniless the other week when a female colleague left on Maternity Leave and I was asked to contribute "at least £3.00" for a present and card. I just couldn't afford it. I felt embarrassed and upset but explained that as she lives nearby, I'd take her a present from me nearer payday.

On top of this, I'm repeatedly asked to attend nights-out with my team that I just can't afford. I tell people that I'm poor due to living alone with only one income, but I get the feeling that colleagues assume I'm just a party-pooper.

I'm thinking of suggesting a kitty which my team could pay £1.00 a month into to cover any future cards and gifts. I don't know if they'll go for the idea though.

Some days, I don't have the money to buy a brew or a snack whilst at work, so I begrudge giving away cash for gifts.

How does everybody else cope with this?

p-pincher

i'm quite lucky cos at our work an envelope gets passed round and you can put in what you like. If its somebody i know and get on with I will contribute if i dont know themI dont . Why dont you try keeping a small stash of 50p and 20p in you desk drawer so when somebody comes round get out a couple and say politely sorry i have no change and this is all i have got. If hey think your tight so what, There probably all racked up with debt anyway. I get called tight at work for brining my own sandwhiches but i'd rather do that then pay around a fiver a day for a horrible pre packed one and a coffee.

Ianna

I put into kitties and only kitties, it's the only way to avoid being dragged into the office politics of present giving. My last place had a big one for the entire office meaning there were no questions about who was on the list and everyone got the same cost present. It covered birthdays, weddings, babies, all those sort of things and really saved a lot of unpleasantness. I've got to say the moving departments thing is ridiculous!!

If nobody will go for a kitty you could try buying a large-ish ethical gift from oxfam or similar and tell anyone that this year you're not buying presents, you're putting it to charity....it works fine with xmas cards so people may be happy with you doing it for presents but it depends on the people really. You could laminate the certificate thingie that you get and hang it on the wall or something.

Rather than gifts you could try making cakes so when asked you can brightly say you're making her a birthday cake instead. Of course you have to be able to bake for this one! You could say you like to do something personal for them which you know will be appreciated.

What I do is make it very clear that I simply don't have the money for this kind of thing. I've got no qualms with saying that because if they've got a problem with it then that's their problem. I really think that's something you should try and stress, if you repeat it enough then hopefully it'll sink it. Just look them straight in the eye and say that you'd love to but on a single income you just can't. Some people just don't get it though so I do sympathise.

Garnet_Gem

The kitty idea is a good one. If you raise it I bet there's a lot of other staff who think the same as you but don't want to mention it. It's not easy saying no but sometimes you just have to do it.

justin1972uk

Ianna wrote: »

I put into kitties and only kitties, it's the only way to avoid being dragged into the office politics of present giving. My last place had a big one for the entire office meaning there were no questions about who was on the list and everyone got the same cost present. It covered birthdays, weddings, babies, all those sort of things and really saved a lot of unpleasantness. I've got to say the moving departments thing is ridiculous!!

I'm definitely going to suggest this at the next Team Meeting.

I think half the problem is that the majority of my colleagues are in their early twenties - and all still live at home! One lad told me last week that he puts £20.00 a week on his mobile phone. I was agog.

I love the baking idea. I'm going to do this the next time somebody has a birthday. I always tend to burn cakes, but I'm pretty good at making oatmeal cookies. It's a really great idea. You're a star!

justin1972uk

Garnet_Gem wrote: »

The kitty idea is a good one. If you raise it I bet there's a lot of other staff who think the same as you but don't want to mention it.

I'd never even considered that. I'll bet you're right.

thriftlady_2

I'd definitely go for the cake/cookie idea. In my experience they are always appreciated. I would be thrilled to bits with a home baked goodie that someone had baked especially for me. Try muffins -they're really easy, lots of recipes on here.

Also the kittie idea is good- Garnet Gem is right there will certainly be others who'll think it a good idea.

moanymoany

I agree, it should be a token. I worked at a place where every christmas and on his birthday we all had to give £10 for the boss - and that was in the late 80's. Madness!

It is the 'at least £3' thing that I think is a cheek. It should be a private thing. I bet the lad putting £20 a week on his phone will be soon be whining about how difficult it is to buy a house - and so it is if you waste all your money!

My daughter and her partner had a big light bulb moment when they wanted to buy a flat. My daughter started taking lunch, they stopped buying CDs and DVDs and they were surprised how quickly they could save. When the found their (very bijou) flat one of her colleagues came out with the 'it's all right for you'. My dd is nothing if she's not forthright, pointed out to him how much he spent on lunches - and clothes - and his expensive car! His reply was 'but I want nice clothes and a nice car!' He was truly surprised that she should point out that it stopped him ever having his own place. He certainly believed he should have it all!

If it was a private envelope that went round I bet there would be very few £3's!

Bogof_Babe

I used to get annoyed by people (total strangers) from other departments and even other blocks, who would appear once a year with a sponsor form for something or other. It is so embarrassing when everyone else has written £5 to be the first to put £1, but I found that once someone had done that, everyone else did the same!

As for general collections, I like the suggestion of keeping some assorted small change (including 2p, 1p & 5p pieces - it drives the collector wild! ) in your drawer, and just throw a handful into the envelope, safe in the knowledge that you are probably only giving about 20-30p but it looks good.

saveaholic68

I know exactly how you feel. It annoys me when I'm asked to contribute to collections for staff who I don't even know and half the time have only worked in the department a couple of months anyway. Also, when you're asked to contribute to a maternity leave gift, then a month later when the baby is born, you're asked to give for another present!
It's not that I'm being tight, just sometimes I simply can't afford it. I always feel incredibly embarrased when I don't have any money - it's the way people look at you like you're lying. A kitty is the way to go if you ask me, but it's been suggested at my office, and the miserable sods said no.

morganb

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That's what we tend to do at church ...