Different incomes, different budgets, and different ideas of what counts as an affordable night out can sometimes make planning with friends a little complicated.
This week’s The Get takes a closer look at how money can quietly shape our friendships, and how we navigate those differences while still making time for the people we care about.
Have you ever had to navigate different budgets within your friend group?
I rarely run into this issue, mostly because my hangouts are pretty low-key. I naturally prefer simple, low-pressure activities, which quietly led me to friends with a similar mindset. When the focus is just on spending quality time together rather than expensive plans, budget differences never really get in the way.
Everyone of my friends come from different financial backgrounds and is at a unique point in life, so tailored individual plans are usually the easiest way to keep things comfortable. For example, if I’m grabbing dinner with a friend who is currently saving aggressively or working on a tighter budget, we might opt for casual takeout and just a chill night or cook a meal together at home, whereas with another friend who prefers going out, we might try a new sit down spot in town.
However, when the whole group gets together, the dynamic shifts to a completely unspoken rule everyone gets taken care of, no matter their situation, and no one gets left out. Whether that means splitting a large bill behind the scenes, picking up a round of drinks, or hosting at home so cost isn’t an obstacle, the priority is simply making sure everyone is present and included. That is how my friends have always operated, and it keeps the focus entirely on spending quality time together rather than stress over a receipt.
I’ve never really thought about it before, it always manages to work out naturally. With the people I know, we tend to have a feel for how we’re doing financially and if it’s similar, we split, and if one’s much better off, whether that’s me or someone else, they always offer to cover it, and it seems to stay fair.