How To Handle Having Less Money Than Your Friends

This blog was inspired by an article I read on Forbes. I am an avid believer that one should surround themselves with the type of people they aspire to be like. If you want to be career driven and financially set, you surround yourself with those who are career driven and financially set. If you want to live your life in the streets, you surround yourself with those who live in the streets. I’m not here to judge, just whatever you choose to do in life, be the best at it and keep like minded individuals around you. With that said, if I’m choosing to fill my circle with those who are career savvy and well off financially, chances are I have a lot less money than they do. That situation alone can seem pretty intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. 

The key is to always remember that there is something about you, besides money, that makes these individuals enjoy your company. Though you may not be the wealthiest amongst your friends, you provide something to the team that makes you an asset. Know what that is, hone in on it and remember it whenever you get discouraged that you are not as well off as your pals are. Confidence is very important in any friendship because the minute you become self conscious, you begin to take that out on your friends. It can quickly become a situation that leads to jealousy.

This brings us to a very important step in handling being the friend with less money. Keep in mind that, contributing in whatever way you can helps equal out the power dynamic. You may not be the wealthy friend, but knowing that you do what you can will not only help ease your mind, but let your friends know that you aren’t just around to reap the benefits of their friendship (and wallet). Treat a pal to lunch at a restaurant of your choice, buy a round of shots at the bar, offer to pay for gas or parking if your friend gives you a ride. Better yet, offer to drive. Little gestures don’t go unnoticed. 

Another suggestion is to be a co-planner and not a complainer. No one wants to hang out with the friend who complains about funds every time the weekend rolls around. Plan something for you and your friends to do that is budget friendly. Invite your girls over to your house for a girls night, order some pizza, buy a bottle of wine, watch Netflix and bash men. Don’t wait until the weekend rolls around to say you’re broke, plan things ahead of time that you can afford and if other plans are made, don’t complain, just opt not to attend if  it isn’t feasible.

Be realistic about your pockets & live within your means. There is nothing worse than attempting to keep up with the Joneses at the expense of your bills getting paid this month. Can’t afford to take that girls trip to Aruba? Then don’t take the trip this go-round. It’s best to stay home and save, then take a trip or plan an outing and spend the entire day calculating your debit card balance in your head. Talk about stressful! Become comfortable gracefully declining invitations you simply can’t afford. Be realistic with your friends. They won’t know your financial situation if you don’t tell them. You don’t have to go into detail, but if your friends want to do something that you can’t do, don’t be afraid to let them know that you can’t afford it. Figure out which friends you are able to discuss finances with but make sure to do in it in a way that doesn’t make them feel forced to pay for you every time. Real friends will understand. Most will even offer insight on how they got where they are. That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?

Last but not least, money isn’t everything. Enjoy your friends. Enjoy their company. Enjoy their wisdom. Remember that you may be rich in ways that they are not, and vice versa. Teach each other and help each other grow.