It’s true when they say you are heavily influenced by the people around you. The question is, can this influence help you save money? Your friends’ unique personalities may actually be helping you save money without you even realizing it! Their different ideas of what a good time is, their standards, and their sincere giving nature are inadvertently keeping your bank balance at constant numbers. Below are five types of friends that help us save money without us even noticing it.
1. The Fashion Guru
This friend is your standard shopping partner. Vogue is their bible. You know you have to take them along with you whenever you need to do serious shopping. Because of their vast knowledge of fashion, they are insistent on perfection. When you pick something out, they make sure it’s absolutely perfect. Otherwise, it goes back on the rack. They help you pick out things that are trendy and of the highest quality. The fact that things rarely if ever meet their standards not only helps you save money, but also helps you have the best wardrobe.
2. The Homebird
This friend is constantly inviting you over to their house to hang out. If you suggest going out to dinner or a movie, this friend insists that watching the movie at home and eating take-out is a better option and it almost always is. They cook the best dinners and have the best movies on demand – it almost seems pointless to leave the house. Spending nights in every other weekend is subtly helping you save the money you’d be spending if you were to go to dinner and a movie. There’s nothing better than chilling at home in your pajamas. snacking on junk food.
3. The Parental Figure
This friend is the most reliable one you have. They are always there to bail you out of any trouble you have gotten yourself into and they are always there with a shoulder to cry on. Taking this friend anywhere is like taking a parent along. They know all the places that have the best deals and specials. They also question the retail decisions you make by asking you if you really need what you’re about to blindly spend your money on, saving you from unnecessary expenses on things you’ll never really use anyway. This friend has helped you avoid becoming a hoarder and for that you’re forever grateful.
4. The Loaner
This friend has been through almost everything you have and is basically your spirit animal, so whatever you need they already have. In short, this friend owns everything you need to buy. When you tell them you need to make a purchase they insist that you just borrow theirs, which you accept. They give you anything and everything you need and at times forget to take it back so it sits in your house as a constant reminder of what a great friend you have.
5. The Working One
This friend is constantly floating from one job to another. This is good for you because you are constantly benefiting from the perks of their job, be it free drinks at a bar or their store discount card. The fact that this friend moves from one job to another within a month means you are getting a wide variety of freebies from all the different jobs. You find yourself spending a lot less money than you would’ve had you actually paid for the things you’ve benefited from. You envy your friend for all the free things they get, but you’re glad you have them in your life – not just for the free stuff but because they are willing to share.
Featured photo credit: Best friends enjoying time together outdoors with smartphone – Concept of new technology with two girlfriends having fun on a vintage wood bench and red pillows via shutterstock.com
