I'm at that age where all my friends are getting married and I'm lucky enough to have many close friends. However, I've only had to go to a few weddings and bachelorettes and I'm already starting to feel the financial pressure. I have a good job (125k base) but live in a high COL city and despite hitting all the PF goals for the year (saving for emergency fund, contributing to retirement, aggressively paying down student loans, budgeting through YNAB) I still feel like these weddings and associated events are going to ruin my financial health. I have been trying to save for them, but there are always unexpected expenses or surprise bachelorette party invites. Anyone who has been in this situation knows that even the most level-headed of friends can get a little crazy with wedding stuff. This year alone I've paid $1000 for a wedding in DR, and $1200 between bachelorette and MOH obligations for a friend who hasn't even had the wedding yet! I'm looking at going to 4 weddings next year, with another close friend who just got engaged, and several more prospective bachelorette and bridesmaid invites. Obviously I can't go to all of these things. I would estimate the total cost for all of the events I am aware of at about $7000. With what I make I can afford this but at what cost to my future? I feel like I am delaying saving for a house, visiting my sister who lives abroad, and doing things that matter to me (including possibly paying for my own wedding!) in order to go to every out of town event for my friends' nuptials. The clear answer is some things need to be declined. This won't be easy as I am legitimately very close to all of the people getting married.
Can someone who has been in this situation and come out alive please give me some advice? Did you decline invites? How did you do it without offending people? I feel like I am being selfish in even considering saying no given that I have the financial ability to pay for these things, even though it will stunt some of my financial growth. Help!
Submitted October 28, 2017 at 12:37PM by GIA15 http://ift.tt/2gK7nKM
