It can be difficult to say “no” when you’re asked to do something, especially if it’s an invitation from a friend or family member. However, there are times when it’s important to be able to decline an invitation in a polite way. This can be especially tricky if you’re trying to save money and break the cycle of living from one paycheck to the next. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some tips for saying no politely so that you don’t damage your relationships while still taking care of yourself financially.

Being kind, saying “no”

Saying “no” doesn’t have to be rude or unkind. In fact, there are many ways to decline an invitation politely. One way to do this is to simply say that you’re sorry but you can’t make it.

If you want to be more specific, you can say that you don’t have the money to attend or that you’re trying to get out of debt. No matter what your reason is, there’s no need to feel guilty about saying no.

It’s also important to remember that you don’t owe anyone an explanation for why you are declining the invitation.

My experience

When I was trying to get out of debt, this became very difficult for me. I sometimes was offered to have my family’s meals paid for me. Then, I felt like I had to explain that I wasn’t in need of money and that I was trying to save.

It helped me to have a plan in place when I was confronted with “why”. Sometimes, I felt uncomfortable and felt like I had to explain myself.

I recommend taking it as a compliment because friends and family want to be with you. If you have this mindset, it becomes easier to communicate with them.

Keeping your statement short, kind and simple is best.

Don’t be afraid to say “no”. Remember, you don’t have to feel obligated to say “yes” just because you were invited.

Helpful statements

Here are a few kind ways to decline invitations to friends and family to save money on eating out and entertainment.

1. Hey, thanks for the invite, but I already have obligations tonight.
2. Sounds like fun, thanks for thinking of me but unfortunately, I can’t make it.
3. That’s very thoughtful of you but (activity) just isn’t my speed, sorry!
4. Thank you, but I’m trying to save money so I won’t be able to attend.
5. I would love to come but (obligation), thank you for inviting me.
6. Thank you for inviting me, but I don’t think I can afford it.
7. I wish I could come, but I have other plans that night.

I hope you found this helpful and would love to hear how you handle declining invitations and if you find it difficult. The more you practice being ok with saying “no” they more confidence you will get.