Keeping everyone happy

FatVonD

Maybe, when they suggest festivals you could explain that, while you can't afford (for example) a weekend ticket to Glastonbury you'd be up for (for example) a day ticket to one of the smaller festivals or just going to a gig somewhere.

AnnieO1234

Why not, especially if it's been a long time since you got together, hold a BBQ or dinner for them all. You don't have to spend mega bucks and you'd show you were making an effort.

After so many turn downs, some of your friends may genuinely be feeling you're making excuses.

Xx

jenand8285

A few years ago when me and the OH started saving for our house deposit I told my friends that I was saving and would no longer be going out willy nilly, only for special occasions etc.
Rather then going out almost every weekend to clubs etc. we agreed we would meet up at the pub for food or quizzes instead.
I still managed to keep in touch, have fun and avoided a sore head Sunday morning.
Now we have the house but I have still kept to similar plans out of preference.

DigForVictory

My social life dipped hard with new motherhood, but has picked up now friends know that the kitchen still works & indeed I married a blinking good cook.

So long as they don't get stressed about the fact we've still not fully unapcked after a decade, we have fairly regular visitors on their way to holidays etc!

If you can't meet friends at the festivals etc, invite them to pause and have a meal with you en route? Or just come round for a Sunday Dinner sometime?

minimoneysaver

Have you thought about having a few BBQs during the summer. You can say bring a bottle and some chicken etc. Go and stock up at your local Aldi and have a fab time with lots of friends all together.

In the meantime, there are always coffee shops and suggest you stay in and get a take away. Bring out the wii for lots of laughs! x

DaftyDuck

Instead of just saying "not at the moment, because money is tight", how about suggesting alternative low-cost options at the time of turning their offer down? Without knowing your interests, it's difficult to know what to suggest .... There are free stuff to do threads somewhere on this site, I believe...

ska_lover

My priorities with money changed massively over the years. In my 20s/early 30's I wouldnt think twice about spending £200 on a night out, and not paying a bill. I was more of a 'live for the moment' kind of person

Nowadays, I don't even spend that on groceries for a month!! I would never spend that in one night. I plan my money and think about the future and invest / pay a pension all that boring malarky

I think therein may lie your problem OP, as your friends are younger and have a completely different set of priorities to you