So, we all know that most people are cutting corners, budget wise, and watching every cent.
I have been watching everything that I spend, counting out how much I will need even for basic toiletries (hey, 1 ply is just as good as 2 ply, and A LOT cheaper, and lasts A LOT longer).
I have been good for the most part (with the exception being my coffee--and no, I don't buy lattes---though they do call out to me from time to time---buuuuuuy me! buuuuuuuy me! I am sooooo creeeeeaaaammmmmyyyyyy!) and been writing down whatever I buy, and taking an honest assessment of what I am going to buy is really necessary.
This often occurs when I have been tired the night before and not made my lunch, or haven't made enough food to take for lunch or breakfast, so I find the cheapest items possible and make the food stretch.
So, why, when I am buying food, do store owners want to give you "that look" when you point out an issue with the price? I recently bought something and the menu said a certain price. The guy (who has a bit of vanity going on, but I digress) didn't bat an eye when I said that he overcharged me. He said the price changed. I said that the menu says this price and that I have bought it at that price recently. He seriously wasn't going to budge, and wasn't going to accept that if you post a price (that can be altered on the menu---it is the type that doesn't involve re-ordering copies, etc.) that you need to honor that price. I really think he was seriously going to just have the stance of "Hey, we changed our prices, didn't tell the customer, you already ordered the food, now pay up". He went and talked to a senior person and honored the original price, but he never made any mention of what happened, just gave me the change I was supposed to have. wth?
So, I have been considerate lately with my friends....when eating at their place, I tend to either refrain from eating altogether (if I didn't chip in money wise), or not eating too much. When we go out, I abstain from buying expensive drinks, and try and order the cheapest thing on the menu. All of us are having money issues, and they understand that I cannot buy alcoholic drinks, or even drinks that do not include the free water.
I had a medical expense that is not much at all, but does impact my budget. I go from periods of feeling ok and happy and calm, to freaking out and being anxious about my money situation. Sigh. I have been like a broken record with my bf, telling him exactly how much money I need, and by which date. I hate being like a broken record, and I know he says I need to just accept that he is going to help me, but I just have a hard time waiting on people. I really don't like asking for help, and I don't like having to depend on others. I am so grateful when they help me, and I thank them tremendously as it does warm my heart. The waiting and being somewhat powerless over the situation is what upsets me. My bf is going through some things, and I feel bad bringing up what I need, but I feel like I really do need help, and for the majority of our relationship, I have been helping him. I don't want to add stress to him, and he has said for me to not worry about adding more stress to him, so I am going to take his word on that, even though sometimes he gets in a funk and doesn't want to talk about things and well, as you all can tell, I am a chatty cathy and talking is my thing. 
Writing this out on here really helps me to mellow out a bit and get things out, ya know? I find that often I really cannot talk about these kinds of things with my friends because they are hard to get a hold of, or are going through their own things, and my bf doesn't like talking about money or budgets, AND when he gets home, lately, he just wants to chill out and not talk much. So, at times, my desire to talk and conversate is high.
Thank you all for taking the time to read my ramblings.
The Cheapies....
October 8th, 2009 at 03:59 pm
October 8th, 2009 at 04:36 pm 1255019807
October 8th, 2009 at 04:44 pm 1255020295
October 8th, 2009 at 04:47 pm 1255020435
sorry, but your name doesn't link back. I am not sure of the name of your blog.
October 8th, 2009 at 06:11 pm 1255025505
We all go through moments of panic, but the longer you do this hopefully the more the panic type things kind of ease off.
Allowing for some money to just sit idle waiting for an upcoming expense can be hard, but knowing it's there waiting is a big stress reliever for me.
Most of our 'unexpected' expenses can actually be expected they are just intermittent so they can be easily forgotten. The longer you budget the less forgetable they are.
October 8th, 2009 at 07:19 pm 1255029591
Take care, dear.
October 8th, 2009 at 07:51 pm 1255031483
I will pretty much tip any server 20% if they are competent and reasonably not-unfriendly, even if an order gets messed up initially, but they'd better not try to cheat me, or make me feel like I'm acting cheap. Don't let them make you feel bad when they give you this attitude, just show them how you feel in the tip!
October 9th, 2009 at 01:29 am 1255051766
October 9th, 2009 at 04:53 am 1255064032
Companies in general have been really bad about advertised prices lately. It's just my spouse's pet peeve and it seems I have heard an earful about it more than usual. Haven't noticed at restaurants, but don't really frequent them. I am making a mental note to keep a sharp eye out for menu prices in the future.
Today I was miffed when I ordered a small soda at BK since menu said $1. I didn't realize until after I paid that I Was charged more than $1 for the soda. I noticed the lids were labeled something like large, medium, small, value/small. Doh. So I was s'posed to order "value small?" You would think the giant cup size would be a clue, but I am used to fast food chains thinking a 16 ounce cup is a "small." Next time I will order the "$1 soda." Should have in the first place.
October 11th, 2009 at 02:42 am 1255228932