history: i feel bad for never having money to participate in work get togethers i feel bad for never having money to participate in work functions I know that feeling. What do you tell your coworkers? oh i've brought lunch or i have lunch plans that day.
current: I think you risk not building social ties with your coworkers but sometimes you have no choice.
next: i can barely pay our bills and get gas and food. i hate to do it but i don't have $5 for a pizza party of $10 for so and so's retirement