How to Deal With Cheap Friends

Perhaps your friends stick by you through thick and thin, except for when the check comes at a restaurant. If your cheap chums always rely on your to pick up the tab for food and entertainment, use these strategies to deal with the annoying little habit before it costs you big bucks.

Instructions

1. Decline the invitation if your friends invite you to an expensive dinner where you know you'll be stuck making up the difference when the check comes. Instead, invite them over to your house for a more affordable pizza and movie night.

2. Leave your credit cards at home and make a point of mentioning that you only have enough cash to cover your portion of the meal or your own movie ticket. Say something like, "I left my credit cards at home and I only have about 10 bucks with me, so I'd better just get a salad."

3. Ask one of your friends to be in charge of collecting money for group gifts rather than taking the responsibility on yourself. Contribute your share and leave it at that or state that you'd rather buy an individual gift if your other friends aren't planning on chipping in.

4. Have a blunt conversation with your friends, particularly if you think they're not aware that they're taking advantage of you. Explain that you're saving up to buy an item(such as a computer or a car) and won't be able spend as much money on recreation as you have been.

5. Try not to lend money to your friends if you can't consider it a gift. Make up an excuse or simply refuse rather than handing out money consistently and resenting it.