Is being cheap good or smart?

[VampressZilia]

I am now a single mother and living on my own with my son and a full time worker, plus attending school this fall. With everything that changed and all the bills and stuff that I have to think about, plus having to buy diapers, wipes and so on, my family is saying that I am being cheap.

A lot of the things that I buy aren't name brand but it does what it needs to. I just don't want to come up short, due to me having to pay rent, monthly payments on my lab top, car insurance, phone bill, cable & internet, and not to mention food and things for my son. We go out once a week to an indoor playground that's 10 dollars all day for him to run around play and eat. And sometimes we go out to eat once a week also.

People love to say I'm selfish like when they ask me to help them, but I don't want to struggle. I don't have no family that's close by around me. They are an hour away so the way I look at it, it's me and my son. Is how I'm trying to manage my money making me come off cheap or just me being reasonable? I'm just so tired of hearing this and I really want some advice?  

[Kitalpha Hart]

No, you're trying to survive in a harsh world
Tell them that you don't have the money, and your family that name brand doesn't necessarily mean high quality. Just higher, unaffordable, prices for you, and that if they're so interested in making you live their life, buy you the stuff themselves
See how many people that settles down because suddenly, they have to spend their money  

[VampressZilia]

Thanks. that mean a lot. I just hate it when I see my family and they all in my business. I feel like half the time i'm there, all I do is defend my self. I know they mean well, but the words that come out their mouth is sometimes hard to see past.  

[Your WatchQueen]

I don't think you are being cheap at all. You seem to be a great parent who works hard to keep your son happy and healthy. You are doing all you can. If they want to judge you, tell them to put themselves in your shoes, you are a single mother after all. Good for you, keep on truckin'