Would you ask?

I sometimes ask how much something like maintenance work costs but I always say "I hope you don't mind me asking but we're going to need to have that done too" and then I say "Thanks so much, that's really helpful." I wouldn't dream of asking how much pension somebody receives. That's just plain intrusive but your "friend" doesn't realise this. Have you ever asked her what her pension is - could be interesting to see her reaction? if she replies you can just say yours is a bit more or a bit less without giving an exact figure.

Just say 'I don't know. There will be some adjustments as the work is being done I've been given to understand. there is always something not expected'.

My neighbour is exactly the same.
The day we moved into this house she came round & after telling me her name & the fact they had lived here for 20 odd years she promptly asked what my husband did & how much he earned! I was shocked. I told her he worked in computers & left it at that -big mistake as it happens as she is after him all the time to sort out the messes she makes on her laptop!
That was 1992- she is still just the same& I have been avoiding her as much as possible ever since!

I wouldn't say 'I'm sorry but I am not going to tell you' - I would simply say 'I am not going to tell you', or counter with 'Why do you want to know that?'. There is no need for you to say you are sorry - I think this very curious person should be sorry for asking so many personal questions! I have a relative who is a little like this, and I just ignore any questions about what things cost. It hasn't stopped her asking from time to time but I never answer and just carry on with the conversation, and she doesn't seem to take offence - odd, isn't it?

Yes, I find a jocular reply works every time. When asked about income 'not nearly what I deserve or am worth'. 'Why on earth would you want to know that?' has had some interesting responses. For commodities 'I don't remember. It'll be on a cc statement somewhere'. I can usually differentiate when someone is genuinely seeking guidance and would be more accurate then.

Then if she says ' You must have some idea' respond that you prefer not to think aboput it until you know all the ins and outs of it all.

It's all in the way you were raised. I would never ask questions about how much things cost. However my husband just comes out and asks. Sometimes I'm mortified. He also thinks nothing of asking our children how much they earn!

If you don't wish to discuss the matter with your neighbour it's simply none of her business. End of conversation. How's the weather?

Have you asked her why she wants to know.

I would just say well won’t be going out for a meal, cinema etc.for a while.

Why don't you make a joke of the answer next time and say something along the lines of 'an arm and a leg - and that was just for starters!' Sometimes people are just making conversation - if they really want to know how much it cost because they are thinking of similar work for their house then you could just offer them the phone number or business card so they can check it out themselves.

My mum was like that. She'd say 'what did they rush you for that?' and when you replied she's automatically whistle, no matter what price it was! I think it came from being very poor in WW2.

And then there are the people "who know the price of everything and the value of nothing" !

Some folk want too much information! As the quotation goes " Some people know the price of everything and the value of nothing" Not quite right, I know. Was it words from Oscar Wilde?

The plain answer is 'Enough but not too much'.

I have a friend exactly the same! So I started saying 50p and a slie of cake! With a smile!
At first she would continue prodding, but I would always say the same thing, or change the subject completely! Its no-ones business but yours, thats not rude, but we are allowed to keep some things private! :-)

I've had several people prying about my savings, and my reponse now I am prepared is to laugh and say " Oh gosh that's something I wouldn't even discuss with my close family". Do not let her press you further. Its your private business and asking about people's savings is extremely rude.

You dont need to tell her how much anything cost. If you volunteer that's different.

My mum's response if anyone ever asked her the cost was "money and fair words"
Never knew what it meant but it worked.

We had neighbours like that ,but always stopping the workman on his way out and then making a point of telling me I had been done. I always warned workmen that this would happen and to make up a fictitious sum and also warned the workmen that if they did a job for them the neighbour's would argue the toss of the bill. My mil was a great one for asking how much holidays cost even though we were taking her. She always preceded it by saying "I'm not being funny but....." I always said I don't know ask your son he's paying but she never did.

Yes, people like that annoy me too! I would personally say something along the lines of "oh, it wasn't cheap, but you know what they say, buy cheap and buy twice". I've used it a number of times and it shuts them up straight away. In fact one particular person has stopped asking, guess they're still trying to work out what I meant in the first place! ?

I remember when I had a leather three piece delivered,a few weeks later my neighbour's were talking to my husband when he mentioned how much I paid for it my neighbour's said I know I went to have a look my husband was gobsmacked they were not nice people

It's the ones who always say "Oh, that's far too much, you could have got it cheaper" who really annoy me. That's why I've stopped telling people. And I was quite happy with my pension till someone told me they were getting far more ! So now I just won't discuss financial matters.

Willow10. Disclaimer! I haven't time to read all responses yet! Sorry!
My immediate response is that I am exactly like you! I never ask about people's money! If it is a bill that might affect all the neighbours then I might, I suppose, very tentatively, ask if they would mind my being so rude as to ask, but I can't think of an example.

I suppose if my roof needed doing too and I had a good relationship with someone nearby who had used a roofer, I might ask their advice and would they recommend him? But you get a quotation for a job anyway. (On a recent thread - I still say "quotation". can't bring myself to say "quote"! Similarly cannot say "invite" for invitation either! Sorry! It was another thread!)

To her? I might simply go very vague and say I can't actually remember.....

I agree georgie Often when things are cheaper, there’s a downside.
Is it really worth it, in terms of time, effort and petrol costs, to make a 15 mile round trip to a different supermarket to spend £2 less on your groceries?