Money Moral Dilemma: Should you save a stranger money?

englishmac

mancrob26 wrote: »

When I first came across MSE (someone told me at work) and got into moneysaving, I used to always tell my friends and family about opportunities.
I don't think one of them ever took me up on the advice, and I got a reputation for being a tight git, so I just keep it to myself nowadays.
I don't even tell anyone if I've made any major savings myself or found ways to make money, as it was always met with derision. I think a lot of people have a ridiculous stigma attached to it.
I was always brought up not to live on the never-never, and my folks didn't have credit cards until I was in my 20s. But I don't know many people like that. Loans and cards are so easy to obtain and everyone just sees bankruptcy as a very soft option. I don't think many people think about paying money back, they just want the readies!

If people don't want to use the advice that is up to them. It comes down to what you value if you are aware of the full picture. I don't think there will be quite such a ridiculous stigma attached to it in the present economic climate. Loans and cards are not going to be so easy to obtain at least in the short term. A lot of people have had it good for so long they have forgotten what it is like to struggle. Finding out or remembering is quite unpleasant and they might be more inclined to listen now. I have certainly found this of late.

I would probably write the website address on a piece of paper and hand it to him when either I or he leave the train with a very brief 'couldn't help overhearing ... you might find this useful for finding a credit card that suits your lifestyle best ... worth taking a look anyway, you've nothing to lose by checking it out'. As for eavesdropping, if you want to keep something private, don't discuss it in public.

GT60

Too right i all way tell people about MSE and i would tell him about it.
Even when i am in a big electrical store and they are looking at tv's if i get a chance i tell them to go to j lewis's web site as it is cheaper and you get a free 5 warrenty and better customer service.
i dont care who it is if i can help i try to but only if i am with out the boss!!

cjb02

I would and have done before.

I have started with the line "I just happened to over hear your problem and can I suggest...."

If I perceive some one to be in trouble, I would always offer to help. This goes for financial problems too. If they don't want my help then fair enough. I back off and go on my way.

I don't like being ripped off. I would feel frustrated if I had been ripped off and some one later down the line said they knew about my problem and could have helped but didnt like to but in!!!! because they did not know me then.

Isn't this a modern age good Samaritan thing?

I mention MSE when ever I can. I am always happy to talk to any one about financial matters thats includes family/loved ones, friends and work colleagues because it is amazing how many people have different ways of doing a good thing better and or cheaper.

Karfypie

I'm really surprised at so many people not wanting to just simply help another person out! If you just approached them and said in a really kind and friendly manner that you were sorry but you couldnt help overhearing the conversation and that you knew a really good credit card blah blah or a good website and tell them about money saving expert then why would anyone take offense? Maybe some people would think thats naive but maybe we need to be a bit more open and have some more compassion because its just helping someone else out :j I would be really happy if someone gave me some good advice to save me money. It doest sound like it would have been dangerous to enter into conversation with them but maybe we are all so suspicious of if a stranger talks to us that we can't see it when someone is just being kind. Its a bit sad. It makes you feel good helping someone else too.

Print_Screen

There is very little chance I would talk to him as I found doing so is pointless in 90% of cases. When I have told my friends about MSE or how to save money on the gym through Pru Health it has fallen on deaf ears. So why should a complete stranger listen to me!

At the end of the day a lot of people are lazy, apathetic and associate more money with better quality.
So by telling the guy about MSE he has to bother to go to the site, find the credit card section read it and chose the best one for him the apply for it. Believe me this is too many steps for an average person, they just "Want something that works" albeit at a far greater cost to themselves for the sake of 10 mins. But their money.

Also he may think that a cheap deal is a dodgy deal and that his bank which he has been loyal to for many years would give him the best deal :rotfl:
This is also the reason that when I told may people about the Pru Health deal they never signed up but went through the gym directly for £70 per month instead of £17 they assume cheap equals lower quality, although it is exactly the same gym!

At then end of the day I would not waste me time I have done it many times before and people are determined to spend money their way, which is good as it make deals cheaper for us moneysavers :T

PayPeanuts_2

Not sure why people keep calling it eavesdropping - eavesdropping is listening outside a door or out of sight, ina clandestine way. If someone is conducting a conversation on a mobile right next to you its not eavesdropping its merely having the sense of hearing!

If I were to say anything at all I wouldn't say 'I'm sorry but I couldn't help overhearing' - why should I apologise for someone elses ignorance? I hate people talking on mobiles on public transport!

newmommyjen

I would not as i find money issues are still of a taboo to discuss with ppl, even though u r doing them a favour esp with a total stranger
Where as if i saw someone about to buy something expensive and i knew it was cheaper else where eg a telly or dvd player. I would say.

pixelpops

I've done it. Whilst shopping in Tescos's a couple of months back I stumbled across a pack of 2 frozen Tuna steaks for 59p a pack. I bought two and took them home - tried them on my teenage boys who LOVED them. The following week I looked again and was ASTOUNDED to see the pack (2 steaks remember) was now 10p a pack. I bought £1 worth (10 packs of two steaks). I was that AMAZED by the offer I kept asking other shoppers in the store if they liked Tuna - 90% said no, but when I found the odd 2-3 that did I told them about the offer and pointed out where it was. One - an elderly lady - came looking for me after she'd located them and got some in her basket - to thank me for letting her know about the offer as her hubbie loved Tuna and they could very rarely afford it. For about 4 weeks after this the price remained on the shelf along with an Out of stock sign. I asked staff if they would ever repeat the offer and was told they did, almost daily, but now stock was gone by 10am daily!!! However, for the last two weeks I've notice dthe price tag/sign and the "space" in the freezer has gone. It was a great offer whilst it lasted and I felt duty bound to share it with others!!!

irishwench69

teeb wrote: »

Odd response from me - If it was a commuter train, or a short journey, then no, I wouldn't.

If he looked unfriendly at all, then no, I wouldn't. He's the kind who's having a loud conversation about private matters in the middle of a train coach, so I'm immediately a bit wary.

However, if (later on), once he's off the phone, and if an opportunity presented itself - some kind of catalyst for conversation happened - such as meeting him at the train buffet, in the toilet queue, if a baby started screaming, anything - then I'd initiate conversation. If that went well and I didn't get "effoff" signals, then yes, I'd suggest he get a better deal by looking on MSE.

Yep, this is what I'd do too - would like to spread the word as it were, but would feel weird just butting in without some sort of introduction or conversation starter first!

IW x

naimone

Even with people that we know there is tendency to dismiss advice when freely given. A good percentage of the people I have mentioned MSE to have politely listened and then told me "Not for me thanks." This is despite being told how much I am saving per month (£170 pm at least, plus £1000+ in one off savings and cashbacks). I would estimate a 10%-15% positive response rate so far.

I think it would be a case of just saying "Did you that ******card is doing a lower rate at the moment?" and let the other person follow up with a conversation. Anything more than that and you may end up looking like the "loonie on the train."