Your life would probably look a lot different without your friends. They’re there for you through the good times and the bad! However, things can get a bit dicey when you mix money and friendship. Follow our credit counseling tips for being a good friend when it comes to money matters:
Our debt counselors believe money and friendship doesn’t have to be awkward.
Money and Friendship Tips
1. Pay for what you order.
When you go out to dinner with friends, don’t ask to split the bill evenly if you ordered significantly more expensive menu items than your friends. If your friends drank water and you ordered multiple sodas or alcoholic beverages, it’s not fair for your friends to foot the bill for that. A little money etiquette goes a long way!
2. Don’t harass friends for donations.
Raising money for charities is a noble effort, but don’t harass your friends for donations. It’s okay to ask them, but don’t make them feel pressured into donating. Maybe they’ve hit a rough patch financially (such as dealing with credit card debt) and they can’t afford to give anything right now.
3. Follow through.
If you agree to pitch in for a group gift for someone’s birthday or wedding, don’t make your friends chase you down for the money. Follow through and pay for the agreed upon amount. Of course you can say no if you know you can’t afford to pay your portion, but in that case, let your friends know ahead of time, that way they won’t be expecting you to pay. Instead, find a more affordable gift within your budget on your own.
4. Replace what you damage.
Accidents happen. Maybe you borrowed your friend’s white sundress and you spilled red wine all over it. A good friend will buy a replacement. Even if you can’t find the exact same dress (or whatever item you damaged), offer to buy something similar to replace it, or just offer to directly pay her the value of it.
5. Be cautious lending large amounts of money to friends.
Lending money to friends can put a strain on your relationship. Assess your own financial situation to see if it’s even feasible for you to lend money at all. It’s okay to say no. You have to put your own financial priorities first.
If you’re struggling to pay off debt, sign up for a free credit counseling session today!
