Oof 100

They are maxing out their budgets trying to better their kit in life with things like investments, running a small business, sinking most of their income into savings instruments etc. but.... They could just as easily be in a secure place in life- or a terrible one. But either way- who’s doing what? The guy with $46 might earn $200 a year but puts most of their income into building a business or investment portfolio, and the person with $200 might be a struggling student with minimal savings. Those are extremes but the person with less money to spend may earn more and vice versa.

Regardless of what they make- each person might spend their money very differently or live differently. If the person with $200 has a child the other doesn’t primarily support- it might be kind for the person with less without child to leave the other more money- to spend on their child. If the person with more money is going to school and the person with less works... the person with more commutes and the person with less has commuter benefits through work... etc...

The balance of expenses doesn’t hinge simply on who makes more or who has more. I have a friend who makes more than her husband. She bought her own home at a young age. They live their together. Her husband lived their as a boyfriend. She has more money but he would pay more expenses because well.... he’s getting free rent for something he didn’t pay for but she did. If she made him pay fair rent or pay her back half the mortgage- it would cost him much more than a few dinners and what not.

And even when someone else has WAAAAY more than you and there’s no obligation- a pro tip I learned a long time ago? But someone who makes more their lunch or dinner once in awhile. People who make more money are used to people expecting them to pay for the whole bill or more of the bill. Often- especially between friends who make different incomes- the “richer” person begins to feel resentment or other negative feelings because while they DO have more money, they still feel it’s unfair they are always expected to pay. There’s seldom a such thing as enough money, and even people making millions a year often have budget issues. So a small gesture like paying for a meal can make them feel like they aren’t just being used as an ATM or kept around for what they can do for you.

Obviously if they aren’t appreciative or abuse YOU then you should t stand for that, and if you’re dead broke and can’t afford to do so, you likely shouldn’t. But even picking up little things like a coffee can go a long way. People who aren’t “keeping score” are subconsciously not going to say “I’ve spent $1234 on them in 3 years and they’ve only spent $567 on me!” They’ll just notice that you don’t expect them to pick up your tab, and maybe notice that you at least try to do what you can even if you don’t have the means they do.

If dudeman only has $50 after paying bills, he needs to put that into savings or investments. He'll thank himself later. If all you have for "fun" is $50... you're not appreciating appropriately and you should not be having fun right now. Especially having fun that might cost you over $1,000,000 over the next ~20 years.