It's not sad, it's responsible

Barbara

As Staci has said before, it's tough to be friends with me. I'm still a gal on a pretty strict budget. And when the money runs out, I'm a gal who cuts herself off.

So it was difficult last week when Staci proposed we head to the strip-mall nail salon for a quick pedicure  to make our summer feet happy. To her credit, even she doesn't splurge on that service at a fancy (read: expensive) spa.

It was very, very tempting. "How much?" I asked. "Oh, $35 plus a tip," she responded.

Technically I had the money to go. But a $35 indulgence could've made things a bit too tight until my next paycheck. "I just don't think I can swing that right now," I told her, finalizing my decision.

To that Staci gave me a frown and said, "That's sad." Then as I was starting to feel bad for myself, I snapped out of it and responded, "It's not sad, it's responsible."

As we talked about the breakthrough I'd just had, I started to think about other situations where I haven't always acted the same way. I know Staci understands that I'm on a budget and has gotten used to me packing my lunch versus going out and other spendy activities. That helps ease the guilt when I have to say no.

However, my finances aren't out in the open for all my relationships, and I started to realize that I am still very susceptible to financial peer pressure! Frankly, I don't want to be the stingy friend. So sometimes I say yes when I should be saying no (or at least offering a lower-cost option).

Do you feel the same way sometimes? Tell us about the times you've felt peer pressure to spend or times when you've said no.

By the way, later that week I did get a pedicure. It just happened to be with the assistance of hot bucket of water and a home pedicure kit setup in my living room!