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How to Handle Being the Poor One in Your Friend Group ...

Alison

Are you part of a group of friends - and are they all better off financially than you are? It's tough when your friends have plenty of spare cash, and you're wondering how you're going to pay your bills. But having less money doesn't mean that you can't be friends; if they're good friends, they won't judge you by your bank balance. Here's how to handle being the poor one in your friend group …

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1. Don't Pretend You're Wealthier than You Are

If you attend a wealthy college, you're going to be surrounded by people who come from wealthy backgrounds. But not all students are. Don't pretend that you're better off financially than you really are; you'll make yourself look silly, and pretty soon you'll have money problems. Be honest about what you can afford; true friends will understand if you don't have the same money as they do.

2. Suggest Affordable Outings

Just because people have money doesn't mean that everything they do has to be expensive. Wealthy people appreciate a bargain just as much as anyone else. So look up ideas for more affordable outings and suggest them to your friends. Every city has tons of free events such as art exhibitions and movie showings.

Frequently asked questions

It's so tough, right? Try to remember that true friendship isn't about money. Focus on the qualities that make your friendships great and look for low-cost or free activities you can enjoy together.

I've been there! Be honest with your friends about your budget constraints. Suggest alternatives that are more affordable and still fun. If they're true friends, they'll understand.

It’s really hard to cope with that, but try to focus on what you do have and the experiences you can afford. Remember, shared time and effort count way more than shared bank balances!

Definitely! A genuine conversation can really help. It might feel awkward at first, but being open often strengthens the friendship and helps them see things from your perspective.

This can be tough, but try celebrating their successes without comparing them to your situation. Practice gratitude for what you have and remember that everyone’s journey is different.

3. You Can't Keep up with Them, so Don't Try

There's no way you can keep up with friends who have more money than you, so don't try - unless you want to land yourself with credit card debts and a whole lot of worry. There's no shame in having a more limited budget than your friends. If they have more money to spend that's their good fortune - but money isn't everything.

4. Look for Ways of Keeping the Costs down

If you want to join in with group outings, look for ways of keeping your costs down. For example, you could go to cheaper showings at the movies, or join your friends after a meal to go to a club. If you eat out together, make it clear that you can only pay for your share and not subsidise their more expensive choices.

5. Don't Sponge off Them - They're Not Your Parents

If your friends want to pay for you, that's cool. But don't assume that they'll pay for you. They're not your parents and don't have to fund you. Just because they have more money doesn't mean that they have to subsidise you. It's their money, and their choice what they do with it.

6. Be Honest when You Can't Afford Something

Be honest with your friends when you can't afford something, rather than make excuses as to why you can't go. Otherwise you risk coming across as dishonest; if you claim you're sick and somebody sees you looking fine, your friends will be offended. It's okay to pass on an evening out because you have other priorities for your cash.

7. Pick the Outings That You Join in

Choose the outings that fit in with your budget. So you can't afford to join your friends for a skiing weekend. They'll understand. But you can afford evenings out like going bowling or seeing a movie. And maybe you can afford that skiing weekend after all if it's planned well in advance and you budget carefully. It's all about planning, and not trying to do everything.

Whether you're the 'poor student' at college or have friends who earn more, be honest about your finances and don't spend money you can't afford. Or you'll be even poorer! How would you handle having friends who are richer or poorer than you?

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Invite them to lunch or dinner msybe

Movies are still cheaper then concerts, especially if it's NetFlicks or Redbox. There are also a lot of free muesems (SIC).