I’m Losing Friends Because I Can’t Afford What They Can

Sade was upset that her friend hadn’t felt comfortable opening up to her before about their different spending habits. “I was kind of speechless,” she says. “I felt embarrassed that she (felt she) couldn’t tell me.” This reluctance to talk about money — even with close friends — is widespread. According to a survey by the Money and Pensions Service, 55% of people don’t feel comfortable opening up when they have worries about their financial situation, despite 48% admitting they have regularly worried about money recently. Shame or embarrassment was cited as the top reason for not wanting to talk about money.