I think your friend needs to grow up. What’s it to her if you don’t want to do something? You’re an adult; you can go home if it’s late and you’re tired.
You can even go home if you’re not tired but the activity holds no interest for you.
I have a similar friend - she thinks I’m a spoilsport if I don’t enjoy the the things she likes. She has no compunction about whinging about a movie I might have chosen, though.
How you spend your money is your own choice. With the state of the US economy these days why would ANYONE spend more for something if they didn’t have to. That being said, I lean more toward buying things that say “made in USA” lately (mostly because of trade laws outside countries are less governed than US companies–whether anyone admits it or not–and in light of one of them thinking formica would be a great flavor enhancer in dog food) I’m not cheap. I work hard for my money and deserve to be first on the list to enjoy the financial benefits.
But, and it’s a big but. .when it comes to “loaning” money to friends and family. . DON’T!
Your friend L sounds kind of self centered and passive agressive and that the money issue is just a way she has of pushing buttons, but is not the main issue.
She probably wants you to validate her choices. Sounds like she takes it personal when you don’t share her enthusiasm towards certain things. You sound rather mismatched as friends, to be honest.
Yup.
I have responses to several other posts.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, make choices that are best for YOU. But do it in a way that shows respect for other people’s choices too.
To the person who says that his/her parents were frugal with them but aren’t living frugal now: Lots of couples have financial issues when they are first married and have children. IE: you have to be more frugal. Many Gen X kids today seem to think that money “grows on trees” IE: that they should never be deprived of “anything” they want growing up with no reality of what raising them actually costs. Many parents give up getting Xmas and birthday gifts themselves so they could afford ones for their children. Gave up careers to work menial/ low paying jobs so there would be food on the table every day. I don’t regret a minute of my children’s younger years or the frugal way we lived to get through them, but because we did “get through them” we think we can afford/deserve to have a few perks now. Pull your head out!
It also takes the fun out of things when someone in the group is complaining all the time about how much things cost.
Correction: the youngest of Gen Xers are in their 30s, today. The exact dates vary by who you ask, but no one born after 1980 is an Xer. Go ahead and insult the youth of today, but Xers they are not. Speaking in broad generational strokes, Xers are frugal compared to their parents (Boomers) and their younger sibs (Millennials).
Because no one has an inherent right to any product or service that is produced at the expense of someone elses labor. People are making their living selling insurance, running activities, making tires or whatever. It may be a vacation for you, but it takes a lot of people working at the various airlines, hotels, resorts, bars, nightclubs and tours for you to have that awesome trip. And, like you, they have to get paid.
Tell her NOW you are having fun!