to not understand why you would tell someone how cheap the present you bought them was?

[VickstaS]

To put this in context, my MIL is one of those people who makes a big deal about how cheap everything that she buys is, even down to the food on the table.

But why would you want your guests to know that you spent the minimum you could on their food? There was really no need to comment.

And why would you present them with a t-shirt for their new baby and make a big thing about how it only cost you a pound?

I have no issues with the food or the present, but just don't get the whole showing off about how little you spent on your guests or on presents thing!

i don't get it either but have come across people like it, especially older generations i think they feel proud of there thriftyness and just want to show it off without realising it could be inappropriate for some situations. mil probably feels that because you are family its okay to let you in on the cheap price, would she do it to people she doesn't know so well?

MIL is the same. She buys tonnes and tonnes of things for the dcs at Christmas/birthdays then bangs on for the next 6 months about "oh I didn't spend loads, it was just like, well I went to TK-Maxx and lets just say you got a lot for your money it was, well, it was good value you know you got loads for very little. I don't spend masses on them you know" I'm not sure when she actually pauses to take a breath.

They are Bargain Boasters!! ..I have to admit I do it myself

The quality is good but the price is low..

I think pride in their thriftyness as firawla says, and also maybe they are trying to reassure you they haven't spent loads so you don't feel obligated in any way.

And maybe a bit of guilt with the GC Indith - she wants to buy them lots of things, and 'I didn't spend much' is her defence in case you might think she's gone overboard.

My FIL is exactly like this. Even at a "smart" lunch or dinner with non-family there, he will itemise to his guests (to his wife and our dismay) the cost of everything in the meal. To the actual penny.

He quizzes me about where I bought X, Y or Z and did I know I could have saved half a penny if I had queued for six hours in the cold at a shop 300 miles away?!

Bargain Boasters - I like that!!!!

Thing is, some of what she buys really is cack. She asks you first 'did you like such and such'. You of course say 'yes, very nice' but only out of politeness, cos I wouldn't want to say to someone 'no, it tastes like something out of a chemical factory'. She then proceeds to go on about how cheap it was. Maybe I am the unreasonable one as I am saying I like it when I don't!

I'm not cheap though..not a penny pincher esspecially if I'm out with friends or family..

I just love a bargain or deals..oh.. and to tell other Bargain Boasters about them ..you have to know when it's appropriate!!

Oooh Xmas bargain boasters are the worst-
'i only spent 70p on each child and fashion the baby Jesus out of a old brick I found outside'

Ooh but mine has to ask how much everything I have cost, from shoes, to the sofa, to a haircut. "that's a nice skirt - how much was it?" Rude, rude, rude.