I Need A Comeback Line
We are trying to pinch pennies at our house, so there are a bunch of things we do that are different from the way the majority does them-- things like using cloth diapers, making our own clothes, and cooking from scratch instead of getting pre-made meals. I really do get a kick out of doing things myself, but I find that my ideas for cutting corners are met with something less than enthusiasm by the outside world. Inevitably I get asked stupid questions like, "Why don't you just use disposable diapers?" or "Why don't you buy X Brand Insta-SpensiFood, Now With Extra Preservatives?", as if I'd reply, "Gee, I never considered that! I must have missed the ad that was supposed to awaken my intellect to the product you advocate. Who would want to pinch pennies when such a wonderful product is available for purchase at local retailers?? I guess I'd better go out and get some right away before the DayTimer Police catch me trading any more of my valuable time for a savings in money!" It's like living in a giant commercial sometimes. Occasionally a tip like this leads to a product I really can use, but I'm a pretty good shopper and can usually find what I need without such tips. And at this point they are doing more harm than good.
I don't want to reply, "We're on a really tight budget, and by the way here's a copy of my credit report, so that you'll see just how tight it is and quit pestering me." I'd like to have an answer that will do four things:
- be polite and unsarcastic (I have no trouble thinking of rude comebacks myself, but I'm not at my best when I'm being sarcastic)
- be reasonably truthful (I'm not opposed to a little "spin")
- not include airing my financial dirty laundry
- communicate that I have no desire to be on the receiving end of further recommendations of products to buy
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