I’m a broke college student trying to save wherever I can. I use Dealseek to find promo codes before buying anything … Amazon, food delivery, even random school stuff. It’s become part of my routine.
Last week, I went out with a couple of friends. When the bill came, I quietly checked for a discount and found one … saved about $8 on my shopping. I didn’t ask them to do anything or slow things down.
Later, they said I was being “cheap” and made things awkward. One of them literally said, “It’s just a few bucks, stop acting broke.”
I honestly didn’t think I was doing anything wrong. I’m not trying to be stingy …. I just hate wasting money.
So… AITA for always trying to save, or are they overreacting?
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I’m a broke college student trying to save wherever I can. I use Dealseek to find promo codes before buying anything … Amazon, food delivery, even random school stuff. It’s become part of my routine.
Last week, I went out with a couple of friends. When the bill came, I quietly checked for a discount and found one … saved about $8 on my shopping. I didn’t ask them to do anything or slow things down.
Later, they said I was being “cheap” and made things awkward. One of them literally said, “It’s just a few bucks, stop acting broke.”
I honestly didn’t think I was doing anything wrong. I’m not trying to be stingy …. I just hate wasting money.
So… AITA for always trying to save, or are they overreacting?
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OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the asshole:
> I used a promo code to save money while out shopping with friends, without involving them or making a big deal. They later said I was being “cheap” and made things awkward. I’m wondering if I might be the asshole because even though I thought I was just being smart with money, maybe I unintentionally embarrassed them or made them feel judged for not doing the same.
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Contest mode is 1.5 hours long on this post.
NAH. You saving money for you or for your friends?
Ok so they are criticizing you for being frugal? Note I said frugal not cheap! You covered your end of the bill right? I call that smart and hope you continue it post college.
NTA. This had nothing to do with them and didn’t affect them at all.
You are NTA for seeking a bargain. Everyone does it all the time.
NTA they’re criticizing you for saving money?
NTA
Until your “friend” starts paying your bills, they need to not talk about how you spend or save money on your bills.
If you want to show them up, plan a couponing trip and invite them along. When they see you save $50 or more dollars on what you buy, they might think differently.
“I just saved enough to pay my cell phone bill / fill the gas tank in my car”. Make sure you smile at your friend while you are saying it.
Good result, well done. Always good to save a bit here and there if you can.
NTA!
With current events hitting everyone’s pockets, it’s a flex to NOT pay retail! I was brought up this way, mostly due to my mother being born & raised during the US great depression of the 1920’s/30’s.
Everyone should be looking to manage their finances better simply because we really don’t know what’s going to happen next!
personally, i think its dumb to pay full price when u could use a discount even if you’re filthy rich. so NTA.
NTA. You’re not “acting broke,” you are broke. These aren’t very good friends.
NTA.
My husband and I are fortunate enough to be very comfortable financially, and yet my sister-in-law calls me “the queen of finding great deals” because…well, I am.
Just because I can pay full retail for something doesn’t mean I want to, and honestly the only people who have ever looked at me sideways for that are the people who I know are terrible with money.
You are being cheap because you like to spend less without getting less? Or is it because you know that money is a finite resource? Ask them who is cheap when you pay $10k less on the same vehicle they purchased or when you have $50k in your bank account and they’re paying full price for everything and struggle to have more than a few bucks in their account.
Sorry but those people are idiot money wasters.
NTA You’re being smart with your finances.
When their are coupons available why not use them.
You are ABSOLUTELY not an asshole for getting deals! You are smart! Hopefully, they’ll catch up eventually.
How does a bill come from shopping, that phrasing is used for a meal but not shopping
NTA. That is a them problem. “I need to save money. If you guys aren’t comfortable with it, I guess we can’t be shopping buddies.”
NTA, your friends are ridiculous and prejudiced against poor people.
Your friends are assholes.
Good for you. Tell them you are not “acting broke”. You are broke. Keep using coupons and any other savings devices you can. That is why they exist. To be used.
I love a coupon or discount code. We always use them when we have them.
This feels sort of like a Dealseek ad
NTA. Fuck your friends. How poor do you have to be before they are embarrassed to be seen with you?
This is an ad and yall are morons
Can you tell me more about this “Dealseek” thing? How can I also benefit?!
NTA if you supply me with some sort of personalized referral link!
NTA. All the self made multimillionaires I know are all frugal like this.
NTA
$8 is almost 2 3-shot 20oz iced coffees at my favorite local spot. Not insignificant.
Once you see coupon savings as actual objects (saving $30 is almost a full tank of gas) you start to see couponing for what it is. Just promise me you won’t cover them for things if they’re going to disrespect you like that.
NTA. You’re not “acting broke,” you ARE broke. If they feel “awkward” when that’s made apparent to them, that’s on them, not you.
nta
NTA
I’d rather my money be in my pocket than in the millionaire’s pocket.
NTA. Why would anyone pay more for something than they have to when there is a quick and easy discount available? There might come a day when your friends will wish they had been a bit more frugal.
NTA
With prices as they are save every dime you can.
NTA. You’re smart! I used to be a BIG couponer, like stock pile stuff, that was before I had two kids lol. But I still use apps/coupons and anything I can to get a discount. Not obnoxiously but if it’s available, hell yeah. My daughter is 16 and follows in my footsteps, she’s always coming home with a deal or something she saved on. She says “more money in my pocket”. Your friends are immature!
Rich people rarely pay full price. If you can find a deal to save yourself some money, do it! $8 here and there adds up over time!
NTA. They are the ones with the problem. If it doesn’t bother YOU, then go on with your money saving self!
NTA. It never hurts to save money!!! You do you and ignore the haters!!
NTA
Even if I become a billionaire, I would still use coupons. Don’t hangout with them, they are not real friends if they are calling you broke. Joking and calling are two different things
NTA, but being very smart. A few dollars here and there add up quickly
Our college supplies us with a student handbook that had countless coupons. I was constantly using them. Don’t feel any shame over saving money. College is expensive enough.
Even my well-off friends always appreciate(d) when I find a good deal or a discount for us.
NTA. You need better friends.