The Best Way to Gracefully Evade an Expensive Activity
At some point in your life, you’ve probably experienced that awkward moment when your friends are making plans for something you can’t afford. Or maybe you helped make plans, but they have changed and you can no longer afford it. Here’s the best way to handle situations like this.
It may be very embarrassing for you to say that you can’t afford something, but you don’t want to pretend everything is okay and give it up at the last minute. That’s why MoneyNing’s Emily Guy Birken invites you to tell them immediately:
The only way to deal with this is to communicate as soon as plans change. If you know you can’t afford the weekend they think they are, just tell your friends what you can do. There may be other people in the group who feel the same way, or your friends may somehow come to meet you. Even if you have to leave, doing it early in the planning phase is better for your relationship than waiting until the last minute.
Be open and honest with them. If you want to explain in detail what is going on, you can, but you don’t feel obligated. They are your friends, and if they really care about you, they will understand. If dinner turns into an evening in the city, let them know that you would like to spend time in a more personal place (maybe even offer to arrange a guest). If a weekend hike turns into a spa getaway, make it clear that you can’t afford to get involved. There are many awkward money situations like this , and you can usually avoid a lot of problems if you start talking sooner rather than later.
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