Quote from: Marcellin9 on March 28, 2023, 07:18:11 AM

Here is what happens to my friends and me and I am sure this is a reflection on different financial values and life attitude in general. Well, I don't drink any alchohol while a few friends of mine love drinking very much. They would gather to have dinner/drink almost every day(at least four times a week). I am often invited but due to my no-drinking habit, I usually turn the invitation down. We are all family men but they are a few years older than me. Their children are much older than my kid so probably they don't need their fathers' attention and time. I always put my family first so this is also one of the reasons I don't join them that frequently. Financially, every gathering meal/drinking is not cheap because it involves a lot of drinks and dishes. The average cost of such dinner/drinking is equivalent to 1/5 the average monthly income in the city where we live. So every month, the cost for these "gatherings" consumes all the income that a man can earn for months. This is considered a huge waste of money in many people's eyes cause most people don't earn much. Although I don't drink, occasionally I will treat them and pay the bills for the guesture of friendliness. Do you think my friends' lifestyle is a waste of money and time ? How much do you spend on such gatherings on average ? Please let me know.

That is right prioritize first your family and do not go with the flow on the expenses that your friends are doing. It is not practical do waste money on unimportant lifestyle. We need to prioritize first your spending and if you have extra you can set budget for social gatherings. If your friends really wanting to go out with you, try to find much cheaper alternatives with your friends, you can try a potluck dinner instead of going out to eat. It would depend on you on how much are you willing to spend on such gatherings. It is important to set a budget and prioritize first your family's daily needs.