A few years ago, my husband completely changed pizza. It's not that he didn't have money at the end of the week; rather, he had just deposited his salary in the bank that night. He just wanted to use his change and save his debts. If I had left, I might have been embarrassed to see him count his quarters and dimes, but the pizza shop clerk didn't care. He actually sympathized with another young man who seemed to be having a hard time.
My embarrassment at counting so much change comes more from holding up those behind me in line than looking cheap. (I don't worry as much about appearing cheap as most people do.) However, I often notice the reactions of those around me when I act socially frugal. The guesswork that others make about my savings — usually that I have much less money than I do — can be a boon to me. Here are some of the ways:
1. Looking Poor Makes It Easier to Bargain
Even those who are penniless know that it is wise to dress up when buying a car. Appearing to be very wealthy can make prices go up in a negotiation situation. Actually, appearing poor can help you negotiate as a buyer — if the seller thinks you won't be able to pay more than the minimum price they're willing to offer, they're more likely to offer that price rather than lose the deal.
2. Looking Poorer Means More Freebies
Sometimes, people who see my family's saving habits take pity on us and give it to us for free. I think that might be what happened recently, when a couple at the next table in a restaurant offered us a children's food toy after seeing our family of four share two sandwiches, six pieces of chicken, and a large cola between us. . We based our order on wanting regular meals for our kids and a desire not to spend too much money on overpriced drinks or baby food, but it almost seemed like we pulled out our wallets to pay for the food. Some might be ashamed of not being able to afford to buy food for their children, but the knowledge that we were saving money for their future benefit outweighed any fear of looking poor or cheap.
3. Saving Habits That Make You Look Poor Can Backfire
Sometimes, looking poor can cause, sellers ignore you completely. However, It can be very satisfying to see a good seller earn a large commission on your purchase right after someone else has passed you on.. My husband and I chose our real estate agent because he took the time to talk to us, even though we seemed to be too young to save enough money for a down payment. Sometimes I wish the real estate agent next door, who brushed off our initial inquiries to talk to someone who looked rich, could have seen us sign the closing papers on the middle-priced house so soon after.
4. Frugal Habits Help You Build Relationships With Others
Like my husband getting sympathy from the pizza clerk, I can use my savings habits to build relationships with other people who like to save money, regardless of how much money they have in the bank. Whether it's someone behind the counter offering me a special deal they know a frugal person would enjoy or a fellow shopper eager to pass on news of other bargains in the area, like-minded frugal people are familiar.
While I don't pretend to be poor or play down my savings habits just to get sympathy, I don't feel bad if someone gives me a discount or free money as a “charity.” After all, I can never really be sure that the motive was anything other than generosity. If I have benefited from mercy, I graciously accept the gift as an act of kindness, and when I am strong, I do kindness to others.
Image source: 123rf.
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