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cover of episode The cost of being there: budget for your friend's celebrations

The cost of being there: budget for your friend's celebrations

2025/1/14
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Life Kit
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People
A
Andee Tagle
A
Austin
了解奥斯汀婚礼的平均费用、选择全包式场地和节省预算的创意方法。
A
Austin Kilgore
C
Chido Zibabuchi
C
Chidozie
J
Jasmine
J
Jasmine Ramirez Ibabuchi
M
Micah Meyer
Topics
Austin Kilgore: 我在Achieve的消费者洞察中心担任分析师，我们的调查显示，参加他人的重要人生里程碑活动会对许多美国人的财务状况造成冲击。79%的受访者表示，他们需要超过一个月的时间来为参加此类活动做财务准备，其中18%的人甚至需要超过六个月。这反映出许多美国家庭入不敷出的现状。 参加这些活动不仅需要支付直接费用，例如差旅、住宿、服装和礼物，还需要考虑可能产生的额外开支。这些活动通常会比预期花费更多，给参与者带来经济压力。 疫情期间积压的派对需求以及通货膨胀也导致了这些活动的成本上升。社交媒体的压力也使得人们更倾向于举办更大更昂贵的派对，从而进一步增加了经济负担。 Andee Tagle: 我采访了多位专家，他们都指出大型庆祝活动（如婚礼、生日派对等）的成本越来越高，规模也越来越大。这与疫情造成的派对积压、通货膨胀以及社交媒体压力有关。 社交媒体上充斥着各种奢华的庆祝活动，这会给人们带来巨大的心理压力，迫使他们也要跟风消费，举办同样昂贵的派对。这不仅会影响到主办方，也会给受邀的宾客带来经济负担。 我建议大家根据自身经济状况和价值观来决定是否参加以及如何参加这些活动。不要为了参加活动而负债，也不要为了迎合他人而过度消费。 在参加活动之前，可以提前做好预算，并根据自身情况选择合适的参与方式。例如，可以与朋友合住酒店，拼车出行，或者只参加部分活动。 Jasmine Ramirez Ibabuchi: 我是一名理财治疗师，也是By Any Means Coaching的联合创始人。我认为社交媒体扩大了社交活动的范围，加剧了攀比心理，导致人们在社交活动上的花费增加。 社交媒体上各种奢华的庆祝活动会让人们产生一种错觉，认为所有的人都能够并且应该举办同样昂贵的派对。这会给那些经济条件有限的人带来巨大的压力，让他们感到自卑和焦虑。 我建议大家要学会“大声预算”，也就是与朋友和家人分享自己的财务目标，让他们了解自己的经济状况，从而避免过度消费。 在参加活动时，要根据自身经济状况做出选择，不要为了面子而过度消费。如果经济条件不允许，可以坦诚地向朋友说明情况，寻求他们的理解和支持。 Chido Zibabuchi: 我是By Any Means Coaching的另一位联合创始人，也是一名理财策略师。我认为在参加大型庆祝活动之前，应该提前做好预算，并根据自身情况选择合适的参与方式。 可以将支出分为住宿、交通、餐饮和活动四个类别，并分别估算每个类别的花费。如果之前参加过类似的活动，可以参考之前的支出情况来制定预算。 在筹划集体活动时，应提前规划好成本，并向参与者明确说明预期花费，给予他们充分的选择权。不要强迫大家平均分摊费用，要根据每个人的实际情况公平分配。 可以使用一些应用程序来帮助大家更好地管理和分摊费用。 Micah Meyer: 我是Beaumont Etiquette的创始人，也是一位礼仪专家。我认为如果无法参加活动，特别是婚礼，应尽早告知对方，即使不参加婚礼，也建议送一份礼物。 不必为了参加活动而承担超出自己经济能力的费用，也不必为了迎合他人而过度消费。 在拒绝参加活动时，可以向对方解释自己的经济状况，并表达歉意和祝福。如果对方是你的亲密朋友，可以更详细地解释你的经济状况。 对于婚礼，即使不参加，也建议送一份礼物，表达你的祝福。礼物不必很贵重，可以是一份充满心意的礼物。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

What percentage of respondents in the Achieve survey said celebrating other people's big life moments was interfering with their financial well-being?

Three in four respondents (75%) said celebrating other people's big life moments was interfering with their financial well-being.

What is the average cost for a wedding guest in 2023, according to The Knot?

The average cost for a wedding guest in 2023 was around $580, including travel, accommodation, attire, and wedding gifts.

Why are milestone events like weddings and birthdays becoming more expensive?

Milestone events are becoming more expensive due to a backlog of celebrations post-pandemic, inflation, and social media pressure to keep up with extravagant trends.

What is the concept of 'loud budgeting' as explained by Jasmine Ramirez Ibabuchi?

Loud budgeting involves sharing your financial goals with friends and family, being transparent about your budget constraints, and inviting them to support you in achieving those goals.

What advice does Chidozie Zibabuchi give for managing the costs of milestone events?

Chidozie Zibabuchi suggests planning costs ahead, setting clear expectations, and allowing people to opt out if they can't afford it. He also recommends saving small amounts regularly to prepare for these expenses.

What is the etiquette expert Micah Meyer's advice when declining a wedding invitation?

Micah Meyer advises letting the host know as soon as possible, expressing gratitude for the invitation, and sending a wedding gift, even if it’s not expensive or fancy.

How can guests reduce costs when attending milestone events like bachelorette parties?

Guests can reduce costs by opting out of certain activities, finding cheaper lodging, collaborating on gifts, and being upfront about their budget constraints with the group.

What is the key takeaway about friendships and milestone events from the episode?

Friendships are about showing up for people in meaningful ways throughout the year, not just spending money on milestone events. Time, support, and love are more valuable than extravagant gifts or attendance at every event.

Shownotes Transcript

You want to support your loved one on their special day — but that can come with a steep financial cost. How do you choose between the three destination weddings? How do you say no to a friend's big event without damaging your relationship? In this episode, Life Kit reporter Andee Tagle breaks down the cost of being there: how much big celebrations like a bachelorette trip or baby shower might cost you and what to do if you're worried about your budget.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)