Obligation Spending
Here's a picture of something I've been saving for: a spinning wheel. Though I'd rather have a pretty version. What can I say? I'm shallow. 
During the holiday season, we are inundated with cries to spend money. The easier ones to ignore are the advertisements on television and in print. However, the big, waiflike eyes asking you to buy just one thing from their fundraiser are harder to turn aside. Here’s how I manage to escape the pressure:
- 1. Think of your priorities. Really consider why you are saving/conserving money. Is buying that overpriced box of mediocre chocolates in keeping with your goals or values?
- 2. Be honest. Most people can appreciate goals for savings, even children. Just say why it is that you can’t or won’t spend. I try to buy only local foods, so most of the fundraising products are not in keeping with my values.
- 3. Rehearse your rejection answer. Have a stock answer as to why you can’t. I give the answer “I’m saving for a farm” anytime a student asks me to purchase for a fundraiser. If you are prepared, you won’t be caught off-guard. It makes it easier to say no when you can quickly articulate why.
- 4. Or just practice the art of “no.” Honestly, it’s no one’s business why you can’t spend money. These days, I generally just say no to people and leave it at that. At first, I felt uneasy about it, but I realized that most people don’t push you beyond that. If they do push, I explain that I’m largely supporting us while my husband goes to college. Generally, that is enough for even the most pushy of folks.
- 5. Give yourself permission to decline. It’s okay if you don’t want to participate, really! It’s your money and no one else has a right to it. At my school, I belong to two different departments, each of which wanted to do a “secret Santa” exchange. I declined to participate in either because I know that I can’t afford to spend $20 on someone I barely know. Heck, I don’t even spend that much on family members, because they get homemade treats.
Only you know your financial goals and status. You need to make decisions that are right for you and your family, not your coworkers or neighbors. Gifts should be given with a free heart, not out of a misplaced sense of obligation.
Themocracy
Surprisingly enough if I tell people I am on a spending freeze they ask no questions. Not sure why!
The tiny little town near us is having a FiberFest in February. I’m hoping to spend some time there watching the spinning wheels, I’ll be thinking of you!
whoops! It’s in March!
http://www.visitjaycounty.com/fiber-fest.aspx
I am so jealous!
squee!
Why do I get the feeling that I’m Penny’s inspiration lately?! I, myself, am asking others to spend “obligatorily” on Sunday at a candle show I’m hosting. On Monday and Friday of next week I will be doing the obligatory spending for a colleague’s son’s fundraiser and another colleague’s make -up business. Shame on me!! I know that I’m procrastinating (another recent topic) but I AM going to make a concerted effort to resist future temptation. I really want to reform–for myself, my family, my community and my planet Great perspectives and advice from Laura and Penny. Remember ladies–I’m trying to rehabilitate myself–it’s coming, slowly but surely.