Comments on: How to Handle Social Obligation Expenses http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/10/09/101817_how-to-handle-social-obligation-expenses.html Bridging the gap between saving money and investing Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:45:33 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: bank deals http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/10/09/101817_how-to-handle-social-obligation-expenses.html/comment-page-1#comment-554447 bank deals Wed, 18 Mar 2009 05:08:13 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/10/09/101817_how-to-handle-social-obligation-expenses.html#comment-554447 If you want to keep down expenses think about not having a whole meal but a dessert buffet under the whole idea of "we have got to the sweetest part of our marriage and want to celebrate that with you." Since it is a vow renewal you could have a band or a DJ, whichever you think would be more fun. Just remember this is a time not to get bogged down with details but to look forward to having fun. If you want to keep down expenses think about not having a whole meal but a dessert buffet under the whole idea of “we have got to the sweetest part of our marriage and want to celebrate that with you.” Since it is a vow renewal you could have a band or a DJ, whichever you think would be more fun. Just remember this is a time not to get bogged down with details but to look forward to having fun.

]]> By: Heather http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/10/09/101817_how-to-handle-social-obligation-expenses.html/comment-page-1#comment-312022 Heather Mon, 19 May 2008 12:37:47 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/10/09/101817_how-to-handle-social-obligation-expenses.html#comment-312022 I like hosting parties but don't like spending lots of $s to have one! Every year I have an inexpensive Lasagna Christmas Party and it is a true blast. It is also much more fun than your typical Holiday Gala. The only major expense for me is the ingredients to make 3 trays of homemade, mouth watering lasagna! I send out an Evite and create a list of side food, beverages, & dessert that is needed for the party. (To do this effectively, break up the alphabet & tell guests to bring "X" item by the first letter of their last name) This may sound frugal, but my friends love to bring something & "brag" about their special dish, dessert or great beverage. We also do a white elephant gift exchange and I emphasize that it should be something humorous that they has around their house or from a Thrift store, etc. The gifts are an absolute riot & is much more fun than any over-priced fancy store-bought item could ever be. Also, after the party, I have leftover non-perishable items, such as cans of soda, that I save for the next party! I like hosting parties but don’t like spending lots of $s to have one! Every year I have an inexpensive Lasagna Christmas Party and it is a true blast. It is also much more fun than your typical Holiday Gala. The only major expense for me is the ingredients to make 3 trays of homemade, mouth watering
lasagna! I send out an Evite and create a list of side food, beverages, & dessert that is needed for the party. (To do this effectively, break up the alphabet &
tell guests to bring “X” item by the first letter of their last name) This may sound frugal, but my friends love to bring something & “brag” about their special dish, dessert or great beverage. We also do a white elephant gift exchange and I emphasize that it should be something humorous that they has around their house or from a Thrift store, etc. The gifts are an absolute riot & is much more fun than any over-priced fancy store-bought item could ever be.
Also, after the party, I have leftover non-perishable items, such as cans of soda, that I save for the next party!

]]> By: jang http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/10/09/101817_how-to-handle-social-obligation-expenses.html/comment-page-1#comment-281780 jang Sat, 12 Apr 2008 05:20:31 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/10/09/101817_how-to-handle-social-obligation-expenses.html#comment-281780 can u sent to me an article about social obligation please? can u sent to me an article about social obligation please?

]]> By: Best Frugality Posts from the Festival of Frugality #96 at Clever Dude Personal Finance & Money http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/10/09/101817_how-to-handle-social-obligation-expenses.html/comment-page-1#comment-129223 Best Frugality Posts from the Festival of Frugality #96 at Clever Dude Personal Finance & Money Sat, 20 Oct 2007 17:11:56 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/10/09/101817_how-to-handle-social-obligation-expenses.html#comment-129223 [...] lastly, Saving Advice discusses the problem of “Social Obligation Expenses” (i.e. all your friends, family and coworkers pushing you to spend when you can’t or [...] [...] lastly, Saving Advice discusses the problem of “Social Obligation Expenses” (i.e. all your friends, family and coworkers pushing you to spend when you can’t or [...]

]]> By: The Carnival Review #7 : A Penny Closer http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/10/09/101817_how-to-handle-social-obligation-expenses.html/comment-page-1#comment-128314 The Carnival Review #7 : A Penny Closer Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:02:38 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/10/09/101817_how-to-handle-social-obligation-expenses.html#comment-128314 [...] How to Handle Social Obligation Expenses @ Saving Advice - I dealt with this problem recently.  I got invited to go to a costume party for Halloween but it says “costume required”.  I know they are pretty picky about that and a makeshift costume won’t cut it.  I ended up having to turn down the invitation because I just can’t afford a costume this month.  I’ll make sure to go to the next party she throws though. [...] [...] How to Handle Social Obligation Expenses @ Saving Advice – I dealt with this problem recently.  I got invited to go to a costume party for Halloween but it says “costume required”.  I know they are pretty picky about that and a makeshift costume won’t cut it.  I ended up having to turn down the invitation because I just can’t afford a costume this month.  I’ll make sure to go to the next party she throws though. [...]

]]> By: Gail http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/10/09/101817_how-to-handle-social-obligation-expenses.html/comment-page-1#comment-125568 Gail Thu, 11 Oct 2007 20:26:46 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/10/09/101817_how-to-handle-social-obligation-expenses.html#comment-125568 One of the many reasons I'm glad I'm on disability and don't work out! I hated those occasions as I was always on a slim budget. We rarely even socialize now except with family due to my health, but I'm glad that I'm not being expected to buy stuff or contribute. My entire working life, I always tithed 10% of my earnings, so when someone was hitting me up for a contribution to whatever, I had no problem telling them NO as I knew I had most likely contributed in one week what their giving for a year was. Why should their social concern become my social concern also? One of the many reasons I’m glad I’m on disability and don’t work out! I hated those occasions as I was always on a slim budget. We rarely even socialize now except with family due to my health, but I’m glad that I’m not being expected to buy stuff or contribute.

My entire working life, I always tithed 10% of my earnings, so when someone was hitting me up for a contribution to whatever, I had no problem telling them NO as I knew I had most likely contributed in one week what their giving for a year was. Why should their social concern become my social concern also?

]]> By: Dr. D http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/10/09/101817_how-to-handle-social-obligation-expenses.html/comment-page-1#comment-125555 Dr. D Thu, 11 Oct 2007 19:17:19 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/10/09/101817_how-to-handle-social-obligation-expenses.html#comment-125555 I was asked by a coworker yesterday to contribute to two Boss' Day gifts -- one for a fellow who is my peer, not my supervisor. And one for my actual boss who is an intolerable twit. I told her no. If I am delaying a haircut to pinch pennies, am I really obligated to give the savings to an idiot boss who makes twice what I make? Screw him. I was asked by a coworker yesterday to contribute to two Boss’ Day gifts — one for a fellow who is my peer, not my supervisor. And one for my actual boss who is an intolerable twit. I told her no.

If I am delaying a haircut to pinch pennies, am I really obligated to give the savings to an idiot boss who makes twice what I make? Screw him.

]]> By: Nathan http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/10/09/101817_how-to-handle-social-obligation-expenses.html/comment-page-1#comment-125502 Nathan Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:55:24 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/10/09/101817_how-to-handle-social-obligation-expenses.html#comment-125502 Thought I'd share what I thought was a nice approach to the home demo party, from an email invitation we received recently from friends: "There will be a display of sterling jewelry. No presentation and <b>zero</b> pressure to look at or buy!" Thought I’d share what I thought was a nice approach to the home demo party, from an email invitation we received recently from friends:

“There will be a display of sterling jewelry. No presentation and zero pressure to look at or buy!”

]]> By: Isabel http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/10/09/101817_how-to-handle-social-obligation-expenses.html/comment-page-1#comment-125243 Isabel Wed, 10 Oct 2007 17:04:38 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/10/09/101817_how-to-handle-social-obligation-expenses.html#comment-125243 How timely ! And a sanity-saver. It is that time of year when everyone is having a fundraiser or a home party. With the cash crunch currently going on as a result of the mortgage meltdown, it seems that every one I know is having a product party. What I have learned is that the people who invite me simply to get them ahead, are not people I want to be friends with. A recent acquaintace has invited me to two parties. But she has also scheduled a play date with our children and she is understanding enough that I felt I could tell her that I would love to go in order to socialize but not to buy more stuff ( I am anti-hyperconsumerism ), as a compromise, I will bring some food and wine. As for the office stuff, there are ways to contribute. Get the card, pass it around, set up plans, etc. It is unfortunate that we are brainwashed to believe that the only way to "contribute" is to open wallets that may already be thin....and then be judged for it. But as someone once said, if these people judge you, who cares ? They are probably broke...not exactly good role modeling. How timely ! And a sanity-saver. It is that time of year when everyone is having a fundraiser or a home party. With the cash crunch currently going on as a result of the mortgage meltdown, it seems that every one I know is having a product party.

What I have learned is that the people who invite me simply to get them ahead, are not people I want to be friends with. A recent acquaintace has invited me to two parties. But she has also scheduled a play date with our children and she is understanding enough that I felt I could tell her that I would love to go in order to socialize but not to buy more stuff ( I am anti-hyperconsumerism ), as a compromise, I will bring some food and wine.

As for the office stuff, there are ways to contribute. Get the card, pass it around, set up plans, etc. It is unfortunate that we are brainwashed to believe that the only way to “contribute” is to open wallets that may already be thin….and then be judged for it.

But as someone once said, if these people judge you, who cares ? They are probably broke…not exactly good role modeling.

]]> By: baselle http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/10/09/101817_how-to-handle-social-obligation-expenses.html/comment-page-1#comment-125122 baselle Wed, 10 Oct 2007 04:49:17 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/10/09/101817_how-to-handle-social-obligation-expenses.html#comment-125122 Saying no with a smile and a light word is one of the most frugal skills you can develop. I've always believed that its never the no, its the no with the snarl or the whine that causes people to go away. Saying no with a smile and a light word is one of the most frugal skills you can develop.

I’ve always believed that its never the no, its the no with the snarl or the whine that causes people to go away.

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