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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be annoyed at new work colleague who complains of being poor yet gets her lunch from the canteen?

54 replies

NoahVale · 18/10/2015 20:38

bring sarnies woman!

OP posts:
Original poster
NoahVale · 18/10/2015 21:34

can't AIBU ever be light hearted?

keyboard warriors just looking for fight after a dreary sunday no doubt.

OP posts:
donajimena · 18/10/2015 21:41

I've been piss poor for years. Really piss poor. At the end of the week before my money came in I would often lament buying a coffee or a sandwich on a daily basis because I would have been 20 quid better off on that day..
In the last six months my income has increased by 50% and I now realise that going without wouldn't have made much of a difference to my life than being a damn sight more miserable than I already was due to lack of cash. 20 quid per week excess wasn't going to get me a caravan in tenby for at least two years. It wasn't going to replace my car:(barely running) any time soon.
Please let me enjoy my fresh sarnies and coffee while there is no other joy

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 18/10/2015 21:46

You are getting a hard time OP. And YANBU. Unless it's cheaper for her. I assume it isn't or your aibu would be pointless.

Prettyinblue · 18/10/2015 21:48

It's all about priorities. I never buy clothes new, I shop as cheaply as possible, all presents for the kids are second hand, but I make sure we have a holiday every year.

My BF buys a latte a day but never has a holiday and about £30 on clothes a month. Adds up to our holiday. She's happy, we're happy. But tbh we both moan that the other one gets what the other doesn't!

MsAmerica · 18/10/2015 21:49

Have you said something?

BeeMyBaby · 18/10/2015 21:51

Yanbu, I have a colleague who complains about money woes but then when she expands on it, it just makes everyone very irritated (she HAD to get her garden remodelled professionally as it was too rocky, she HAD to buy a shed costing thousands but apparently barely has enough to cover her bills etc), obviously the canteen thing isn't in that league but the whining is most definitely annoying and undoubtably similar.

Original poster
NoahVale · 18/10/2015 21:51

no way, my lips are sealed, and my fingers bound as well Wink

OP posts:
DeepBlueLake · 18/10/2015 21:52

I agree OP, there is no need to moan at work how skint you are all the bloody time. Mention it in passing from time to time, maybe but not constant. Anyway I wouldn't want my work colleagues to know my financial situation.

Original poster
NoahVale · 18/10/2015 21:52

it is the whining that is irritating yes, ho hum,

OP posts:
donajimena · 18/10/2015 21:58

To be fair OP if all your skint colleague is doing is buying some subsidised scampi I'd cut her some slack.
My cousin would bemoan her skintness and within half hour would be telling me her travel plans.!
I just wish more people would say I am broke because I am saving for my holiday.
My 'broke ' meant I was existing

pictish · 18/10/2015 22:01

She buys her lunch from the works canteen? That frivolous bitch doesn't know the meaning of skint! Wink

Original poster
NoahVale · 18/10/2015 22:04

I dont care that much tbh, but I am Surprised that a grown woman who moans about being skint doesn't appear to economize.
not my problem I know but I find it odd.

OP posts:
TyneTeas · 18/10/2015 22:05

There's nothing wrong with choosing however a few quid here and there that seem like not a lot on each occasion can quickly add up and it can be helpful knowing the full cost.

I usually take a packed lunch to work but it doesn't take too many mornings when I can't be bothered or fancy something more exciting than what is in the fridge and buy somthing to stop being a throwaway amount of money I wouldn't really think about to in total being money I would rather spend on something else.

This is quite helpful : )

www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/demotivator/

Original poster
NoahVale · 18/10/2015 22:06

I'm gonna tell her about my magic chicken that feeds 5000

OP posts:
GruntledOne · 18/10/2015 22:07

How do you know she doesn't economise in every other area of her life? Maybe having a hot meal at lunch is her one treat.

SouthWestmom · 18/10/2015 22:11

Wasonthelist - whinging Pom means a whiny British person not an Australian Confused

Pythonesque · 18/10/2015 22:17

Yes Noeuf, but the point was that they were being exactly the same in reverse. (Nothing new by the way, my mother has all sorts of tales to tell from her days working in London, about some of the young Australian travellers she met up with. And then about her experiences heading out there herself)

SisterNancySinatra · 18/10/2015 22:22

Poor people don't eat,let alone " buy" sarnies .

SouthWestmom · 18/10/2015 22:23

Right; would have gone straight over my head.

SisterNancySinatra · 18/10/2015 22:24

" a caravan in Tenby or a car" ???? Poor people would rather eat actually

donajimena · 18/10/2015 22:28

Thanks sister i guess there will always be different levels of poor. What I meant was going without a sandwich wouldn't have improved much.
There are always people worse off. I fully understand that

PaulAnkaTheDog · 18/10/2015 22:36

OOp, you said a few posts in you were being lighthearted. So are you not bothered then?

Original poster
NoahVale · 18/10/2015 22:41

no, i said i didnt really care, i was just surprised, since i had children i have forgone canteen lunches, shop bought sandwhiches are a treat.
still takes all sorts.

OP posts:
TheoriginalLEM · 18/10/2015 22:46

AIBU is never light hearted. EVER

unless you say so in the title or OP

bodenbiscuit · 18/10/2015 22:50

I think you sound a little judgmental perhaps. But then, it's not really the done thing to discuss finances with anyone outside your own family IMHO.