‘Sandwich generation’ woman asks for advice on how to avoid looking like a cheapskate in front of colleagues

A woman took to the NUS Whispers Facebook page with a problem many are likely to relate with. As a single mum of one boy and is also responsible for her parents, she sometimes feels uncomfortable at work because while her colleagues can splurge on salad lunches, the latest fashions, and office treats, she needs to make every penny count.

Netizens, however, reassured her that she is a good mum to her boy and daughter to her parents, and that she has no need to be ‘paiseh’.

The woman wrote that she is “30s and I work in the CBD area doing client facing role earning mid 4figure salary” as well as “ur typical sandwiched generation – not wealthy but also not starving.”

Her colleagues do not appear to have as many financial responsibilities as she does, and therefore can afford a more expensive lifestyle. For example, she buys $3.50 cai png while they spend on $15 salad lunches.

A part of her feels “torn” about the situation, but recognizes that by not participating in her colleagues’ social activities “every cent I save then goes towards my household – as my kid grows older and parents age definitely expenses at home will rise too. 

In a way, Idw to be buying $4 coffee treating my colleagues when that $4 can go towards my son’s pocket money/a bowl of noodles for my parents?”

“I do try and join them sometimes, but I’m also running out of excuses to basically say that I cannot afford to eat such ‘fancy’ food that often because I’m the sole breadwinner,” she added. 

However, she fears that she looks “like the odd one out just because I don’t exactly ‘behave’ like my other colleagues.”

The woman asked “Is it wrong to tighten my belts and allocate scarce funds this way?

So I wonder am I being too cheapo and if yes, how do I overcome this image so that my colleagues do not see me as this weird miser?”

Netizens were quick to assure her that she is right to live within her means, and even offered suggestions.

/TISG

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