Money Moral Dilemma: Should I stretch my budget to have an expensive holiday lunch with my friend?

MalMonroe

Yes. If you're going to go to Paris on the Eurostar, then you can afford to have a slap up lunch. It doesn't have to cost a fortune but it'd be one of those special occasions to look forward to and then to remember for a long time after. 

There's no dilemma. It's not an everyday occurrence. Shuffle some things around and save up so that you can go for this treat and enjoy yourself.

CapeTown

No moral dilemma.  Tell your friend you would love to go but you cannot afford it. Suggest a picnic maybe. You are meeting up to catch up not get into debt. 

warby68

Its not a moral dilemma, its a communication dilemma.

You still need to eat so just explain your budget is tight so can friend find a decent set lunch type place. If this is a friend they will understand. If they offer to pay instead, you can accept as you've made the effort to travel.

honestcove

Does Paris do a cheap all you can eat cheese pate and baguette buffet? If yes, then go there. If no, a business opportunity for someone?😊

suggestion

Hi, I would just say to my friend that I’d prefer to have a more reasonably price lunch as the expense is on top of buying your Eurostar ticket. You’re looking forward to seeing them & are confident it will a lovely time wherever you eat 😊

PIRATEGRRL

You’ve not seen your friend in ages - there’ll be so much to catch up on. The slap up lunch will be wasted as since you’ll be chatting so much, you won’t have the emotional space to concentrate on the fine food or surroundings (at least that’s how I’d sell the idea of shifting the venue to somewhere more low key). Tbh, a cafe with a sandwich would serve the same purpose or a park bench with a baguette. The point of the lunch is to see your friend, not to experience fine dining. She’s looking forward to trying out somewhere exciting to her, but you could convince her that you’d rather spend your time chatting than eating and next time you can go posh!

pollypenny

Be open with your friend, telling them that the treat is catching up, so a reasonable meal anyway would suit your budget. 

If it's good weather a picnic would be lovely. 

Ignore the carping comments. What is life without a few treats, especially if we find them as bargains!  

littlemadam

If you cant afford it then suggest somewhere cheaper or dont do it.   the answer to this dilemma is communication

tain

[DELETED BY FORUM TEAM]

If you can't see a dilemma here, I suggest reading the two options the person is picking between, rather than just the one you think is right. Two options that you can't decide between is the very definition of a dilemma. Inability to communicate was not given as a caveat. 

Parenting must have reached all time lows if people are unable to comprehend that dilemmas that seem simple to them, may possibly not be as straightforward for other circumstances... 

tain

It very much is a moral dilemma, just some people can't fathom how someone may weigh up a one-off very enjoyable experiecne at the cost of low-to-moderate joy the rest of the month where you're a bit thin for cash. 

Don't put yourself into debt just over lunch. But if you have money put aside 'for the rest of the month' which wouldn't be anywhere near as enjoyable as a very memorable trip abroad, then weigh up what gives your money the most value.

For me, that would be the slap up lunch. I'd live like a pauper for a few weeks/month to afford it if I needed to, as boring weekends at home that I'm keeping money aside for would never equal the same value as lunch in France.