What do you say when people brag about how much they spend?

[Marionnette]

honestly, I don't care what other people make, don't make, spend, save, own, etc.etc. etc.
Though I actually find it a little irksome that often people on here are sure that anyone that spends more than they would, must have huge credit card debt and is going to be foreclosed in a matter of hours.

maybe she has a job where she makes a lot, and is expected to dress at that level
(cue op to say that no, she is a day away from living in a cardboard box in 3...2.....1....)

I totally agree with you! Sometimes people who spend money do it because they can afford to!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Before you spend more time feeling sorry for people... Not all brand new cars have car payments. I had the cash to buy my last car outright but chose 0% financing and simply made the payments from my interest bearing savings and CD's. I like being able to use my money longer than I otherwise would have.

I'm a Dave Ramsey follower - so when I see someone with a brand new car, I honestly feel sorry for them! People just don't have a clue! I love being debt free!

 

[Mysteria]

Starts with STF ... Seriously though I feel bad for people who feel the need to brag about how much they spend. Truly "rich" people have no need to do that.

On the other hand there is also no need to brag about savings in a na na na boo boo way either.

Both are bad etiquette.

 

[MarthaJr.]

I have the same response for anyone bragging about anything. I always respond with a kind "How nice for you." and leave it at that.

 

[Evi]

I'm with the don't say anything crowd. I think that when people constantly need to tell you how much they spent on something its because they have something to prove to themselves. Best to just ignore it and wish them well. A simple oh thats pretty or thats nice is enough. Don't feed into it.

 

[pampam]

honestly, I don't care what other people make, don't make, spend, save, own, etc.etc. etc.
Though I actually find it a little irksome that often people on here are sure that anyone that spends more than they would, must have huge credit card debt and is going to be foreclosed in a matter of hours.

maybe she has a job where she makes a lot, and is expected to dress at that level
(cue op to say that no, she is a day away from living in a cardboard box in 3...2.....1....)

 

[stitchlovestink]

I smile and say oh thats nice, or yes those are lovely shoes and I keep my mouth shut about my saving. When their credit runs out or they lose their job or whatever other life event happens that they aren't prepared for I don't want them to think for a minute that I have money to lend.

love this response!!

Before you spend more time feeling sorry for people... Not all brand new cars have car payments. I had the cash to buy my last car outright but chose 0% financing and simply made the payments from my interest bearing savings and CD's. I like being able to use my money longer than I otherwise would have.

Agreed! when we had to buy a 'new' vehicle (because mine was totalled) I looked at both new and used. The deals on new were MUCH better. Used vehicles were priced too high when I could get a new one with 0 miles and a full warranty for just a couple thousand more. And like ExPirateShopGirl stated 0% financing on a new vehicle, well no one offers that on a used a vehicle.

 

[jgreco]

We put in a pool over the summer and I really hate someone has to say "must be nice". I also hate when people ask how much we paid for something, especially in a group setting.

 

[mhsjax]

I am a very middle of the road person. I spend more on some things and not very much on others. That being said, yes it does annoy me when people brag about how much they spend. However, it also annoys the crap out of me, when people talk about how much they don't spend and get their panties in a wad about how much other people spend.

People think we spend a lot of money on things, but I don't spend much money at all compared to what some of these people spend on other things. I think there is just as much attitude from those non spenders as the spenders. And is just as rude.

 

[jgreco]

I am a very middle of the road person. I spend more on some things and not very much on others. That being said, yes it does annoy me when people brag about how much they spend. However, it also annoys the crap out of me, when people talk about how much they don't spend and get their panties in a wad about how much other people spend.

well said...

 

[mhsjax]

I could not have said it better!!!!

I'm a Dave Ramsey follower - so when I see someone with a brand new car, I honestly feel sorry for them! People just don't have a clue! I love being debt free!

My parents always had brand new cars, and paid cash for everything, including their houses. They had no clue who Dave Ramsey was, they just had the common sense that everyone should have without being told by some guy named Dave Ramsey.

I also drive new cars, until they drop. Do you feel sorry for me? I don't want or need your pity thank you.

 

[moongirl]

My feeling on this is that spenders should brag to spenders and savers should brag to savers. They appreciate each other and understand each other. This keeps hurt feelings and judgements to a minimum. I feel the same about working moms and stay-at-home moms: just complain to each other about the hardships of your choice as the other group does not want to hear about it.

 

[eliza61]

This if for frugal people. I would much rather brag about how much I saved, not how much I spent.I have a SIL who has lots of money and loves to brag about it. She love to brag about her $500.00 shoes and all the lavaish things she owns. Once she was bragging about the hundreds and hundreds of dollars she spent on her coat. I said to her "You paid that much for that coat?!!! I only paid 25 cents for my DDs coat.

Why? Why is one type of bragging better than another? both are pretty annoying.

I think the same way about people who constantly tell me that they only spent 25c for the dd's coat or how they go some where over and over to get the free samples just to save 2.50cents. what's so special about that?

If you sil can afford the 500 shoes and lavish things and they make her happy, what's your beef? Maybe the coat was worth what she paid.

Sorry, I just don't understand this obsessive need we have here on the dis to judge how other people spend THEIR money.

 

[eliza61]

I could not have said it better!!!!

I'm a Dave Ramsey follower - so when I see someone with a brand new car, I honestly feel sorry for them! People just don't have a clue! I love being debt free!

Dear Carly,
Wow!! are you always this rude and judgemental?

Sorry but I do have a clue. I also have a very good income that allows me to live the way I want to, whether that is in debt or out of debt. It allows me to buy the car I want, the way I want to. Oh and just exactly how do you know how some one is paying for their brand new car? Is there a new license plate that says "financed"?
Please save your pity for the people in Libya who are dying to simply have the choice of how they want to live.

I don't need it or appreciate it.

 

[Nayan]

I usually reply with "oh wow, that's a very pretty (coat, shoes, purse, etc.)". As long as the person is happy with what they bought why would I rain on their parade and berate them for spending their money? If they are in debt up to their eyeballs that's really no concern of mine. What does irk me, though, is the ones who always ask how much you spent on something (or assume you spent a lot) then say "oh it must be nice to be able to spend money on things like that". My neighbor has a habit of doing this. One time I was wearing a new necklace I had just got and all she kept saying was "it must be nice to spend a couple hundred dollars on jewelry. Wish I could do that!". I never did tell her that I had bought it at a yard sale for $1.

 

[GinnyEmma]

Dear Carly,
Wow!! are you always this rude and judgemental?

Sorry but I do have a clue. I also have a very good income that allows me to live the way I want to, whether that is in debt or out of debt. It allows me to buy the car I want, the way I want to. Oh and just exactly how do you know how some one is paying for their brand new car? Is there a new license plate that says "financed"?
Please save your pity for the people in Libya who are dying to simply have the choice of how they want to live.

I don't need it or appreciate it.

I agree. We have purchased whatever made sense at the time. Dh bought both of his hondas new, with cash, and the last one had 350000 miles on it when the engine went. We had a car payment once, due to circumstances. It was an old used van... It was huge and I loved it even if it was ugly.My kids have had brand new stuff and used. Often, the new was of a quality that lasted through my 3, my nephew and are now being used my my grand nephews. Neither is inherently good or bad.

I also agree that bragging and conceit are ugly regardless or the subject. When someone shows me something they are happy with, I smile, admire and move on. What business is it of mine whether they should or shouldn't have purchased it?

 

[cheshireqt]

I smile and say oh thats nice, or yes those are lovely shoes and I keep my mouth shut about my saving. When their credit runs out or they lose their job or whatever other life event happens that they aren't prepared for I don't want them to think for a minute that I have money to lend.

I love this. Words to live by

 

[eyor44]

Before you spend more time feeling sorry for people... Not all brand new cars have car payments. I had the cash to buy my last car outright but chose 0% financing and simply made the payments from my interest bearing savings and CD's. I like being able to use my money longer than I otherwise would have.

This is a great idea. Thanks for sharing, I honestly wouldn't have thought of doing it.

We put in a pool over the summer and I really hate someone has to say "must be nice". I also hate when people ask how much we paid for something, especially in a group setting.

I also have this problem. I just laugh and say "way too much" and change the subject.
I refuse to discuss how much I make or pay for things.

 

[mhsjax]

I smile and say oh thats nice, or yes those are lovely shoes and I keep my mouth shut about my saving. When their credit runs out or they lose their job or whatever other life event happens that they aren't prepared for I don't want them to think for a minute that I have money to lend.

YOu know, there are people that do save money and still spend. My parents did that. The had plenty of money and they spent plenty of money. Kind of rude for you to assume that just because a person spends that he doesn't have a savings. Comments like this make me think of a little green eyed monster.

 

[prncess674]

I never understand people who talk about how much things cost.

I am excited for many things I purchase but I was always taught that talking about money (whether good or bad) is in poor taste. I am single with a very healthy salary and occasionally tell my parents how much something costs when they ask, though I never bring up the subject myself. I spend what I can afford and am very frugal in some parts of my life, but there are a few areas where I really do splurge.

For instance, I had been hunting for this one hard to find designer handbag and the Prada buyer for Neiman's managed to finally get it for me and I happened to be visiting my parents for a visit so I had her ship it to my parent's house. Needless to say it came via signature required FedEx, with a personal note from the buyer and a beautifully wrapped Neiman's box. Opening the box my parents knew that it had to cost a pretty penny and when asked, I admitted to the price, but frankly unless you "know" Prada you wouldn't think it is one, unlike the Coach bags which are splashed with the Coach logo.

I am always of the opinion, with expensive items, if you have to go around telling people how much it costs then you probably can't afford it.