You can respond to low budget clients by simply stating your prices, and making sure that your proposal has communicated the value of your work. You may also offer them alternatives such as reducing the scope of work or making them aware of grants they may apply to.
Keep it simple and positive. Just say something along the lines of, “I'm so sorry to miss out on the fun, but X isn't in my budget right now. But I'm so happy for you, and I'd love to celebrate in another way!”
Show empathy
Instead of pressuring them, step back and say something like, “Thank you for sharing how you feel. I understand how it feels to be interested in a product or service you really like but feel you can't afford it.” By showing empathy, you reduce the pressure off your customer and start to build trust.
“I can't this time, but once I'm done saving for ___, I'd love to.” “Money is a bit tight at the moment, so I'll skip brunch this time.” “I just really can't afford it right now, I hope you can understand.” “I've got some big savings goals I'm trying to kick – can we take a raincheck?”
If your partner spends too much money, you could say, “While you deserve to use your hard-earned money, I'd like to make sure we're making automatic contributions to both of our retirement funds, but it's hard to do that when our budget fluctuates so much.
Go ahead and share your budget estimate, even if it's a broad range. Cite a high- and low-end, or give a more specific figure if you're comfortable doing so. If your budget depends on a variety of factors, be open about that. What considerations will impact how much you can spend?
One more thing you need to remember before having such a conversation is to strike the right balance when determining whether or not it's appropriate to ask a client what their budget is. In general, it's best practice to wait until after discussing the scope of work before asking about the budget.
Embrace what the client has said, and agree with them: “yes, you can get this done for less from someone else. In fact, if this isn't a good fit, then that's alright.” Then, pivot: “But, if things should change on your end, and you're not receiving the quality of work you want, please reach back out.”
idiom. : involving a relatively small amount of money for planned spending. She started her business on a small/tight/shoestring budget and could not afford to overspend.
“We've analyzed your project, and we don't feel like you've allocated enough budget to accomplish your goals. There are two ways we can proceed. We could either revise the scope to create a minimum viable product, like a phase one, and then do another phase later when you have more budget.
So in conclusion, telling a friend or a loved one that something's not in your budget, it doesn't have to be a confrontation. It doesn't have to be weird and it doesn't have to be uncomfortable. Be clear, be honest, be direct. Try not to get defensive and have these conversations in casual hangs over a period of time.
Overspending and Poor Budgeting Habits
Why it's a red flag: If your partner frequently lives beyond their means or has trouble sticking to a budget, it can become a serious problem if you're planning a life together. Spending recklessly without saving can lead to debt, poor credit, and a lack of financial security.
Answer. The word closest in meaning to what you want is spendthrift. Spendthrift is a noun that means "a person who spends money in a careless or wasteful way."
money-conscious (adjective as in tightfisted) Strongest matches. frugal greedy thrifty. Weak matches. chintzy closefisted economical mean mingy miserly parsimonious penny-pinching pennywise penurious pinchpenny saving scrimping stingy tight tightwad ungenerous.
Be clear about your 'no' e.g. “I'm sorry, my friend, but I can't lend you money.” You don't have to offer an excuse. Express your gratitude, e.g. “That you've asked for help with money does means a lot to me.”
If you do want to explain that you simply can't afford something, keep it short and to the point. There's no need to explain your entire financial situation: a simple “I'm afraid I just can't afford it at this time” is enough. Finally, don't feel pressured to make a decision on the spot.