Do you keep track of the money that goes back and forth between you and another
By dizzblnd
@dizzblnd (3073)
United States
June 21, 2008 3:26pm CST
friend?
I started another discussion about money borrowed and it got me thinking (scary I know)
When my now best friend moved in next door to us approx 12 years ago, we went over to meet them. She had kids the same age as mine. She bought pizza for everyone. I offered to pay for half.. she said thats ok you can get it the next time. Since then.. we have gone back and forth just like that. She is a math major, so she keeps track of whose turn it is to buy dinner, pay for kids when buying lunch at a theme park when we go without the childs' parents..etc. She drive me crazy when she keeps track.
I don't keep track.. if have the money at the time to pay for something.. I will. Every time we go out together to do something... she'll say.. "I think you paid last time" since I don't remember (it doesn't really matter to me.. I will either pay for her or let her pay for me.
She has since learned that between friends it really doesn't matter who's "turn" it is.. it usually boils down to who has the money or not. Sometimes I will take her kids (now teenagers) with us to the theme parks and by their lunch and snacks or whatever (we all have season passes to the theme parks). The next time.. if she goes.. she will take my kids and pay for the same.
In my mind, when it is between friends it all evens out in the end and it is not worth it to try to figure out who owes who what or whose turn it is to buy.
Do you have a relationship with a friend who keeps track of everything spent.. or do you apply the theory of "paying it forward" when it comes to your close friend?
2 people like this
8 responses
@DonnaLawson (4032)
• United States
21 Jun 08
I think that is a great way to do it.. Most of the time, it is too one-sided, (or it has always been with people that I know)..When one person pays this time and then the next time also, (usually it is me) it does get old and then you begin to feel like you are being taken advantage of.. I would love to have a friend like that..
) complete stranger isn't it. I am glad I could give you a sile You are welcome my friend 
@DonnaLawson (4032)
• United States
21 Jun 08
That is the nicest thing that anyone has said to me today.. I will remember that and feel like I have a really good friend on here.. thanks, Donna
@skinnychick (6905)
• United States
23 Jun 08
I never keep track. I was just talking about this the other night with some people from work. We always just split the tab between the lot of us. It all balances out in the end. With other friends, we switch back and forth but there is never really an issue with it. It all does even out in the end.
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
22 Jun 08
The woman I do the most with is my best friend. She has a son my sons age and they are good friends. What we do is if she invites me to do something with her, I am upfront about whether or not I have the money to do it. Sometimes I will go ahead and let her cover the event, or I just tell her no I cant go this time. But we kinda of take turn about, or pay our own way... But we never keep track, not at all. Shoot it would hurt her feelings. All of my other friends its really a pay your own way kind of thing.
@Elixiress (3878)
•
22 Jun 08
I roughly keep track of money, if someone buys dinner then I remember that they bought dinner, but I don't remember the exact amount, so next time I will take them out for dinner in a place with simular costs. I find that if you don't keep count at all your friend will start wanting more and more from you.
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
21 Jun 08
I don't really keep track much at all. My mom and I will go to lunch a few times a month and she is always trying to pay and it sort of bothers me but I figure that she likes to do it. My friends always seem to be broke since they are in school and are single parents, which I will always try to pay and when they have the money cool, I'll eat on their dime LOL!
@dizzblnd (3073)
• United States
22 Jun 08
I usually grab the bill from my mom... it makes her mad.. but I don't care... after all she has done for me.. its the least I could do. It is wonderful that your heart is big for your friends as well. I am sure its tough being a single parent going to school. I worship those parents!
@mythreya (90)
• India
22 Jun 08
I dont keep track of money sharing between me and my friends.It makes me fell awkward to do so.when i have i willingly pay the money for my friends otherwise i will say to them that i dont have enough money.My friends also dont mind who pays the money as long as we have it.But we always plan before going out how much money we have and how we want to spend.
@Margajoe (4747)
• Germany
21 Jun 08
Hi!
I have a close friend.
With us everything is going on automatic.
Sometimes she does not have money, then I will pay.
And if I don't have money, she will pay.
We kind of take turns, but in automatic.
Like you say, it does not matter who pays when you are
good friends.
A good friend, helps you no matter what.
That is normal, you don't do something and expect it back.
At least I don't.
But,do not let it bother you.
Try to ignor it, when she starts her mathematics, hahahah!
You have been friends for a long time, don't let money get in your way.
Take care,
Margajoe
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
21 Jun 08
I don't even think about it most of the time. I am quite happy to pay. With my friends we don't keep a tally. I admit to preferring to pay my way. But that's just so that people don't think that I'm mean. We often go out with another couple and their two sons. We always split the bill in half. I am happy with it that way. If I can't afford to go out - I don't.
@dizzblnd (3073)
• United States
22 Jun 08
I like to pay for myself as well. But I won't argue if my friend wants to pay. I am the same way.. if I can't afford to go out... then I don't. It isn't fair to anyone. I still don't mind paying her way though.. I have a big heart and money sometimes takes 2nd place to my friends :)
