Does saving money depend on your friends?
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I?? on a business trip in Japan right now as I mentioned on my last post. The first night after my boss and I arrived, we met one of his friends who happen to be the president of a division in Toshiba named Hiro. Now, Hiro took us to a shabu-shabu restaurant and although the food was extremely good, it was ultra expensive at approximately $400 USD for the 3 of us.
What should I do if he comes to the states next time and I happen to take him out for dinner? I?? certainly not in the position to buy him a $150 per person meal, but I don?? feel right since the dinner I just had with him was at that level of pricing.What about being frugal? The main reason why I am able to save the amount I do is because my fiance and I both believe that saving money is the way to financial freedom. What if the person you are spending your life with do not really like to save money? How do you work around that?
One of my friends came back from his trip 2 months ago and bought everyone gifts. Following suit, another friend did the same about 2 weeks ago. Now that I?? on a business trip, I feel like I should go out and also buy everyone gifts to ??eturn the favor?? Did it all of a sudden become forced giving? This very fact really turns me off. I think giving should come from the heart without any pressure but now there is. What should I do?
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I don’t think there is shame in treating your friend to a less expensive restaurant. It’s the thought and also the food that ultimately counts more than the price!
Return their gifts, and they will return them soon. Its a cycle. Give them gifts but not that expensive, but with that give them idea that this is the way things work with u.
Its just the first time that you would need to make your stand, let them know that you are not comfortable treating anyone for a $150 meal. Once you establish your motive, or ways, they would not come in your way of saving money.
I’d say you really only have two options: either explain that you cannot afford such an expensive meal, or save up a bit of extra cash for occasions such as these and splurge a bit.
Thanks guys for the advices. I will probably get some small gifts when I get to Singapore (I’m there today from Japan before I head back to the US).
As for the dinner part, I will just have to see how it goes when the time comes. I’m thinking that I will take him to a decent restaurant instead of ultra expensive ones.
When you travel somewhere exotic, send a postcard of a lovely or espectacular view you have seen to tell your friends you wished they were there to enjoy it with you. Something personal is worth much more than any souvenir!