How to curb your old friend's enthusiasm when you visit.

[Bster13]

When you are on the road visiting friends from yesteryear (family, high school / college friends, old coworkers) on the road, how do you convey to them "Hey, it's great to see you, but I can't go out for dinner or a night on the town all the time as it blows my budget?"

There are TONS of friends I'd like to see during my travels, some friends I haven't seen since high school and it will be a cause for celebration of sorts, but metered.  If I went out for dinner with all my friends around the country every time I saw them, I'd be broke!  But I also understand when I come to town, it might be their outlet to have some fun and get away from the working life they may have for many years to come.

Do you just ask then out to coffee instead of dinner?  Take a walk with them (that feels weird)?  Invite yourself into their house and bring a bottle of wine for dinner (that feels imposing)?

Thanks!

 

[ArtW]

" Hey, (name of friend) that sounds great, but I'm on a tight budget, and that sort of expense isn't factored in"
Your friend might offer to pay your way, if they have sufficient funds, or they may be cool with just hanging out, or maybe they'll think of cheaper alternatives to whatever they had planned
people who still live 'stick n brick' generally have steady income from a job, and their bills are so high $20-50 doesn't seem like as big a hit to them as to someone who normally lives on as little as $500 a month

 

[Queen]

What I usually say... "hey ______ , I'll be in town next week, LOVE to get together. I'm broke as hell so how about coffee at _________, or maybe a beer/glass of wine at ________, let me know what works best for you"

 

[frater secessus]

"Come out to my place next to the big saguaro cactus. I'll make a pot of red beans and some coffee. If you want cold beer you'll have to bring it because I live in the desert."

 

[ccbreder]

My Friends don't expect more than, and appreciate, a visit. Acquaintances need more, and never seem to get enough. F... T...

 

[jimindenver]

It does seem to be different in the city than the corn fields. Last summer my friends and family didn't waste any time going somewhere, it was a cup of joe, glass of iced tea, maybe even a beer out on the porch. Most of us couldn't hear each other over the din of a restaurant anyways.

 

[Goshawk]

It's a way people think. A $1000 car repair is easy to handle for me. My son making minimum wage would kill his budget for the year. Someone on forced disability retirement would also be hurting.

Take this as a challenge. How do you educate friends and family that economic high living need to be controlled without breaking a bank. You can be civil with rich or poor folks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Wanderer]

Having been friendly to people living in cars before I became a van dweller, I'd naturally "ASSUME" you were poor and thus, if not charitable, I'd say "Let's have coffee" and if flush, I'd say "Let me take you out to dinner"

Now I'm the type toi simply say "You tell me what YOU want, I'll follow"

 

[Sameer]

My friends know to offer me a hot shower..... they know I can only eat in certain restaurants.... so I rarely eat out....!

 

[Transmutamus]

"Come out to my place next to the big saguaro cactus.  I'll make a pot of red beans and some coffee.  If you want cold beer you'll have to bring it because I live in the desert."

Love this! And this is where my mind goes too. "Come on over, I'll make some rice and veg and plenty of tea, we can catch up at my table!" Disclaimer: I don't have my RV just yet, but if all goes according to plan, in two weeks I won't be able to say the same