<p>Does anyone else have the same problem as me? I hate spending money--but everyone else in college seems to have the exact opposite mindset. Unless I have to get it, I usually don't, whether it involves eating out, shopping for clothes I don't absolutely need, buying additional useless furniture, or paying for expensive luxury buys.</p>
<p>I think part of this mindset stems from the fact that money for me is very tight, and I realize spending on one thing will deprive me of something else later. Plus, the wasteful nature of buying things I don't use/need regularly is rather painful to me. Is anyone else like this? Are there polite ways to turn down events that revolve around spending money in this scenario? I don't want to seem cheap or anything...</p>
<p>It’s a bit painful for me to spend money too, partially because I don’t make very much. I usually just cut out all the extra things, like eating out, so I can spend my money on things I really want, which often tend to be expensive (concert tickets, etc).</p>
<p>Do people really force you to buy clothes and stuff? I could see the eating out thing, you could just politely say no (or if you value the social aspect of it, go but don’t order anything/order something really cheap).</p>
<p>I’m not big on buying things either, but when I do, it’s something fabulous. I prefer to save what little money I have and buy something that’s quality (i.e., save up for ages to buy a nice shirt that’s a little expensive instead of buying 6 from Forever 21 that’ll only last a week). </p>
<p>People don’t seem to get it, but there’s a reason I’m still able to wear clothes from eighth grade and they’re not.</p>
<p>I hate spending money too… But, that has stemmed from age, when I was traditionally college-aged, I did spend quite a bit. Now I’ve learned that things only last so long, so if I’m going to spend money I spend on an experience that I’ll actually enjoy, which isn’t usually going out to eat. When I buy things, I always try to find used first. I’m picky about my things, I just couldn’t afford to own what I like if I bought it new. I’m a non-traditionally aged student with a home and family. Often those money lessons only come later. My friends are buying the cheap Walmart dish sets for the same price as I’m buying “made in US” Pfaltzgraff for as I’m patient enough to watch the thrift stores. I’ll still have my set 10 years from now and they’ll be on their 2nd or 3rd questionably safe dish set from China. </p>
<p>For now, I would just avoid some outings, but, don’t skip them all. Just be choosy. OR, alternatively, arrange things to do with friends that are less costly.</p>
<p>^Agreed. Don’t skip out on everything - I know a few people who never go anywhere or go out with friends because they hate spending money. It kind of creates a mildly awkward situation, people might think you don’t want to go because you don’t like them, etc.</p>
<p>The best solution is to find something cheap or go do things occasionally. Saying no because you don’t have any money (a bit nicer than “I have money but I don’t want to spend it”) is a perfectly acceptable excuse sometimes, but just suck it up a bit if you want to make friends and be social. People will usually be fine going somewhere cheaper if you just ask and are polite about it.</p>
<p>I’m not too crazy on buying things either. Everytime I buy something I always ask myself, “Do I really NEED this, or do I WANT it?” I almost bought a sweater and sweatpants from my college store giftshop because they had an end-of-the-year holiday sale, but I stopped myself and instead got my dad a cap. I really wanted more school pride clothes too ): But I don’t really NEED them I guess …</p>
<p>I mostly think this way because money’s kind of tight over here too. My parents encourage me to buy whatever I want, but I feel guilty. I feel bad that my parents are paying so much for my education and they work so hard for long hours six days a week. It’s not fair on them.</p>
<p>I hate spending money also. It’s almost a phobia, but I have to get over it to buy groceries and such.</p>
<p>I go to some events and allow myself some little things, but if I don’t feel I should spend any more, I just say, “I can’t afford it right now.” and people stop asking questions</p>
<p>I hate spending money too! I’ll go shopping with my friends, and I’m fine with just having fun looking around at all the stores, but they’ll think I’m crazy for not buying a lot of stuff. I think it’s because I rely on my own income to support me, but other people’s money seems to just magically appear out of nowhere. The fact that I have to work in order to have money seems really foreign to my friends.</p>
<p>haha i feel the same way. I only buy vegetables when they’re on sale, etc. And it just devastates me when I see how easily people buy random things. </p>
<p>And I have a hard time going out to eat without feeling everyone is wasting their money, even if I’m not even paying. </p>
<p>Mostly it’s just because I don’t have a reliable income, and so money seems so precious to me. also i do get some kind of inner feeling of reward for spending so little.</p>
<p>I don’t generally spend much money either. If you were to look at my debit card account summary, you’d notice that 90% of my expenses are food-related, with the occasional shirt or school equipment here and there, lol. I know people who go out almost every day to eat at some restaurant or the other, and I always wonder how much money they have in their accounts…</p>
<p>I’m sure almost everyone prefers saving money to spending it as a college student. I rarely spend money on food off campus because I have a meal plan, and my friends understand that. Just say that you’re trying to save.</p>
<p>^Yeah… not exactly. I have to pay for pretty much everything in my college experience, but I still like spending money haha. I feel more justified in spending my own money though, because I know exactly how many shifts I worked to earn that shirt or that dinner or whatever.</p>
<p>I’m not entirely sure people like to spend money just to spend it. </p>
<p>I eat out fairly often (though I’m a vegetarian so my meals are super cheap). But other than that, I hate shopping and I work 6 days a week so it’s difficult for me to spend money even if I wanted to.</p>
<p>I love the varied replies! Although I don’t feel “forced” in any sense to buy anything (or, in fact, to go anywhere) with anyone, it seems a bit rude to avoid doing so every single time.</p>
<p>If I don’t absolutely need something, I usually avoid buying it, and I mean this very strictly! For some reason, it is difficult for the college students around me to understand the idea…although I can’t even withdraw cash from ATMs that aren’t fee free, so I might be the spoilsport here. :)</p>
<p>I was much more frugal in high school than I am now. I view it as trying to enjoy myself more. Once my savings account hit 4k I got a lot more loose and having the convenience of a debit card didn’t help. Haha
I used to work at a job that paid tips so that was nice too.</p>