this post was submitted on 12 Aug 2025
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Off My Chest

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I live in a poorer country where I live with less than 10k a year. It's low but since my country is generally less expensive I can live (and vacation) there with some comfort as long as I don't go crazy. I'm a frugal person so I don't miss out on anything.

My sister and brother-in-law went to live in Europe and they are doing very well. Together they easily make 200k. I'm happy for them.

The problem starts when I visit. The country they live in is far more expensive than mine. It isn't always a problem since I don't have to pay for accommodation and cooking at home is sustainable. The problem is they always want to eat out and do expensive activities (for my standards). And they always leave out the price until it's time to pay since the price is meaningless for them. At first they would chip in until my brother-in-law started pulling "it's your turn to pay now". Imagine being given a dinner tab that is almost as much as your monthly paycheck.

Visiting has become stressing as hell, when I should be relaxing. I tried to talk about it, that eating at home would be more affordable for me, but they quickly go back to old habits. At this point I just decided it's not worth it to visit anymore and blow my year savings in a few days. They're not happy and, as much as I try, I can't make them understand how much money I make. They can't understand you can't buy 100 euro meals everyday when you earn less than a 200 a week.

It's also not much better when they visit our country but at least I know what prices to expect and since I'm home I can find an excuse to ditch them.

Maybe we have just grown appart and that's that.

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[–] Sprinks@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago

why? Are you genuinely not able to do this on your own? Have you never sat with someone and chatted in your own home or theirs just to hang out? Have you never walked somewhere with someone to catch up with them in the moment? Have you never just played an old board game? Or hell, any free game, made up or not with another person? Have you never made up short stories with a group like campers over a campfire? Have you honestly never spent bonding time with another human being without feeling obligated to spend money?

Im honestly baffled at the idea of avoiding another human being or even cutting ties with a close friend because theyre not as financially well off as yourself. Im pretty angry about this because it hits a bit close to home for me. I know what its like to be that broke ass friend as well as the flip side of the one spotting a broke ass friend. Shit happens. Financial ruin can happen to literally anyone for more reasons than avenues exist to get out of said financial ruin. Speaking of the U.S. specifically, something as small as a minor health issue can force a middle class household from a comfortable savings to filing for bankruptcy.

If you truely care about someone you find a solution that works for everyone when you want to hang out. Throwing your hands up and saying "oh well, too sad, come back when you have money again" is so...so...shallow, rude, heartless, fucked up, and up your own ass.