It's all in the way you say it...

Now, what sounds better? What you say, or what you mean? Things I say - my justifications (ie excuses) and the real reasoning.

• I don't believe in wrapping paper - it just becomes landfill - so I'll use junk mail instead. Translation: I'm to cheap/broke/disorganised to buy it.
• I don't believe in birthday/Christmas/etc cards - people just throw them out. Translation: I'm to cheap/broke/disorganised to buy any.
• I'm going to walk to my meeting (45 minutes away) - because it's good to get exercise after sitting at my desk all day. Translation: I'm too cheap/broke to pay $1.60 for the bus fare. NB: I did enjoy the walk - and it killed time. But it really was the money.
• I'm carpooling with my sister & brother-in-law, because it's good for the environment & I get to spend time with them. Translation: Translation: I'm too cheap/broke to pay for the bus fare. NB: no lie - it IS nice to spend time with them. So that part's true!
• I've been known to do this at work. When asked why there was no sign in the teenage section I said it was because *they* don't like being labelled. The real reason? It was under the escalator with no way of suspending the sign...