People struggle saying "no", especially if the truth is uncomfortable. Picture this scenario.
You and your wife both work full-time jobs and appear to be on top of everything financially. You own a home, have two cars, and regularly go out with friends for drinks and dinner. However, behind the surface, you are living paycheck to paycheck. You spend every dollar you earn without putting any away for retirement.
After you and your wife have lived this way for a decade, you realize that changes have to be made. You decide to start a budget that does not allow for any frivolous spending. You have one major concern though - you do not want others to know you are struggling. You are afraid they may look at you differently.
Since you do not want to tell your friends you are trying to save money, your biggest fear is that your friends will ask you to go out for dinner or drinks and you will have to tell them no.
This article is for people in the above scenario or a similar situation. Although I recommend being honest with your friends, if you are not emotionally ready to tell your friends the truth, here are eight excuses you may use:
I would love to, but I have to get up early tomorrow.
I am trying to eat healthier.
I am having a date night with my spouse.
We are saving money for a vacation.
I have a phone conference with work.
I promised my spouse I would help clean the house tonight.
My spouse and I already have dinner made in the crockpot.
I want to get up at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow to read The Sytch's newest article ;-)
The purpose of this article is not to provide you with an unlimited amount of excuses, it is to illustrate that you should not avoid saving money because you are afraid of what others may think.
Excuses to spend money are easy to find. It is much easier to tell your friends yes to going out than explain to them you do not want to because you are trying to save money. Saying "yes" is the attractive answer because it is easy. You cannot take the easy way out at the expense of your finances.
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