My friends think I'm rich, but I'm not rich at all..?

You have to believe that I am not rich. I know I may sound kinda full of myself or worried too much to some, but I have reasons why my friends think that I’m rich, which is NOT true. I want them to stop thinking that way because it’s bothering me. It may not seem like that big of a deal, but to me it is because they say this almost daily. Maybe some of this isn’t as expensive for you, but they are to me. I don’t like it. I’m in 7th grade.

I wore a new shirt to school two days ago that my mother bought for me from Macy’s. These friends said they liked it & asked how much it was, so I said it was on sale. Everyone was like, "On sale?!" I would have thought they’d think differently since I’m not any richer compared to them. In fact, I have less than them. I go to Punahou, which has an expensive tuition. My family can just afford to pay, on scholarship. They have siblings that go here, which adds up to double, triple, etc. the cost of what my family has to pay. Yet, I don’t get how to make them stop thinking this. I keep saying I’m not rich at all, but of course, they think I’m being modest, which again, I am not being.

Well, Macy’s is pretty much the only store my mom buys clothes at. She thinks it’s the store with the best savings, but I don’t think that’s true. One of my friends said that she got an Aeropostale shirt with the second for only a penny, & the first shirt she bought was less than ! Before, I thought that Hollister & Aeropostale had way more expensive prices, but if you look at their sales, it’s actually not that bad of a deal. I told my mom that my clothes were expensive, but she keeps shopping at Macy’s. I even liked the Aeropostale shirt more. Yes, she knows about other brands of clothes but she doesn’t go anywhere else. I think she thinks that it’s more expensive, the way I thought it was before. I told her that there were other stores but she’s just going to ignore me if I try again.

My friends & I were looking at Google Earth so we could find out where one of their houses were since we were going to have a party. I typed in my address & it took me to my house. The only reason it looked bigger in comparison to the others is that all the other homes were small. Like 5 or 6 room houses. My house has 9 rooms. It’s also bigger because we have a big family living here, but they don’t even consider that fact. They think I’m being modest again, which, again, I am not.

So I’ve told my friends, but they think I’m being modest. They think I’m rich. Umm, NO. I’ve told my mom that there are less pricey places, but she’s like, "Well, I have membership at Macy’s & they have good deals too." But the thing is that they don’t, & I don’t only want to not seem rich, but I also like Aeropostale’s clothes. I have two Aeropostale shirts, but they were passed down to me by my cousins. I have one Hollister shirt, passed down from my mom’s friend. I have two Wet Seal shirts, which were a gift for my birthday from my cousins, but other than those, it’s all from Macy’s.

She said I should have at least a two-weeks supply of clothes, & I was outgrowing some so I had even less. My mom bought me all these clothes from Macy’s. I looked at the receipt which said 4.37. I only had 4 shirts & 5 pairs of shorts! & Those were on sale, with an additional discount. Ugh, I just want her to listen to me but she won’t. This whole thing is why I don’t like shopping. If my clothes are expensive, then I think we should save by having less. I can’t shop on my own.. I mean, my parents know that I’ve shopped with my friends but that was at a birthday party SCAVENGER HUNT, WITH all my friends. The closest thing to shopping alone is my mom in another department & me walking with my sister not buying anything until she gets there.

Sorry it was super long. I guess I just vented to you. But I’d really appreciate it if even one person read all that & answered respectfully. What should I do to make others stop thinking I’m rich? I’m not. Swear. What should I tell my mom about all my friends? She might say something like, "If they say that about you, then you shouldn’t be friends with them." I’m very responsible. I managed an average grade of A- last trimester. & The first trimester. I’m improving in the third. I do chores. I even stay awake studying until 10 each night. No games on the computer or TV on the weekdays. I go to my soccer practices even though I hate them. If I could drive, I would do any errands they’d want me to do. So what do I tell her? What do I tell others?

Uh, I probably sound really nerdy & ew, but I’m normal, I swear. A lot of my friends are way smarter than me, so believe that. Respectful answers please. I’d appreciate anything helpful. Thanks (;