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What a spendy month!

May 25th, 2012 at 01:18 am

What a month! I wish I could say it was expensive because we went out and bought luxurious items. Nope.

Because the end of the school is near, it seems this is the time we were hit up for retirements, weddings, graduation, and the like.

My job is different than most because I am not assigned to one building, but am "housed" in one place, but actually work in three others. We had people retire from each building and we were asked to chip in for gifts. My partner and I tried to explain to folks collecting money that buying gifts for four buildings was really getting expensive. We stuck to our guns, but got some dirty looks. I’m not saying we didn’t give anything, but one building wanted $25 each!

Then we had a couple gals at one building get married and we were hit up for shower gifts. I know I'm going to sound like Scrooge here, but I am beginning to think there was something really right about etiquette stating you get the showers on the first marriage...these gals have been married before and have households.

All in all, it was a pretty expensive month.

I think I counteracted a lot of it because we ate at home most of the time. Today was the last day of school and I had some paperwork that needed to be completed before I could start on vacation. I got to work early and did get it completed. I was so very tired when I got home, but nevertheless, made supper. It was baked spaghetti with leftover meat sauce and a salad and leftover green beans as well as cornbread. It really didn't take that much work or time, but I figured we saved money and I didn't have to venture out.

Hopefully we can get things back on track money wise.

3 Responses to “What a spendy month!”

  1. wowitsawonderfullife Says:
    1337911976

    Man, you are in a tough place. Being perceived as cheap is not an option for you. I recommend that you gently opt out by saying that you have already organized a personalized gift for each person. Everyone will think you have already thought about that person and you are have a vested interest in that person's gift. Create a gift drawer where you can draw out items that you have bought over the last year that might work for that person - home made wine, candle sticks, items you might pick up at an estate sale, regifted items, home made cookies, etc. It will spin a whole new light on the gift giving situation.

  2. CB in the City Says:
    1337950351

    Not wanting to have to give four times as much as everyone else is perfectly reasonable. If you got some dirty looks, I'm sure there were some clearer heads in the group who understood.

    To the group who asked for $25 I would just say pleasantly, I'm happy to donate $---, because as you know I have three other groups to worry about as well.

  3. Jerry Says:
    1337978431

    I agree with the gift drawer idea mentioned above, it is something that my wife has done that leads us to have some insurance of saving a load of money when gifts are required. It seems like there is just no way around getting clobbered at this time of year!
    Jerry

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