How should I talk to my friend about money issues, or should I even bother talking to her about it?

[tanja v]

I'm going to the beach with my parents and friend. My parents are paying all of the cost for the hotel room.

Here are some messages my friend sent me on Facebook when we were discussing money...

"Hey, does our hotel have a continental breakfast included? I'm trying to figure out how much money to bring. Do you think your parents could pay for my dinner if I pay for my other food? I don't have much money to spare."

1. If my parents are going to pay anything, they're NOT paying dinner.

I said, "The hotel doesn't have breakfast, but we could probably just buy something there... like little doughnuts or cereal and milk or something. Its cheaper that way."


Well, we're going to the beach for about 4 days and my friend said, "I'm bringing like $100. ***** insisted upon going to Hersheypark with me on Saturday, we're going to buy as little food as possible, but that's about as much money as I can bring if I'm going to Hershey."

If she's going to Hershey? IF SHE'S GOING TO HERSHEY? She could easily NOT go. But no, she's going to make my parents pay more money for her!

My parents will probably pay, but I don't appreciate this... I think its wrong. She's a leech! Last year she went with us and payed for most of her food, but she hardly thanked my parents and then she insisted I help her pay for gas during the school year when she was driving me to school. Um. NO.

And here I was thinking it would be different. Her parents refuse to ever give her money for anything, by the way. We are both 17, and so she only has a low-paying job. I do feel bad, because it isn't all her fault that her parents won't give her money... I just wish I would have known sooner because we are leaving on this coming Sunday.

I told my mom about some of this stuff, and she said "don't worry about it". Am I wrong to be so upset over thinking my parents are being taken advantage of? They're paying for me, since I would be going anyway and I'm their child... Should I even bother bringing this up with my friend? Or should I just wait and maybe bring it up when she wants me to pay for something (i.e. gasoline)?
She was invited because we have been good friends since we were 9... it wasn't until about this past year that she started being cruel to me. I'm... sometimes too forgiving though, and I always hope things will get better. Seems I was wrong.

[justmeandu]

your friend's a leech and no you should be upset b/c he/she is using your parents funds for her personal gain.

[Lee]

Why was this 'friend' invited on a family vacation?

[debbri48]

If you are as up set as you sound then you need to tell her that things have changed and that she will not be coming because you want time with your parents alone.
Your parent love you and want to make you happy. Its up to you to not let them be used. If you lose this so called friend then you will not be losing much.
Rethink your invitation

[hiba]

If she knew well in advance she was going with you, she should have made sure her parents gave her enough money or she should have saved for some extra cash for the trip.

[Ski owl]

you say you took her along last year and she didn't even thank your parents and they paid for most of her food so I guess why would you think this year would be different. i wouldn't have invited her again no matter how long you've been friends. listen to your mother and don't worry about. Just don't invite her again.