I've just spent a couple of days away with a wonderful friend who seems to be having constant money problems. She's single and works full time in a supervisor position and doesn't have children. She doesn't seem to go out much or have any huge extravagances.
I had originally booked the trip with another friend who was unable to go and this other woman volunteered to come. Due to pandemic uncertainty, we agreed that she wouldn't pay my friend back for the event tickets we had until they had actually gone ahead. We've known about this for a few months.
The day before we left, she messaged me to say that she hadn't budgeted for the events and would it be ok to give me the money in 3 weeks time when she gets paid? I said that was ok (because I didn't know what else to say!) and I've paid my friend back myself because I don't see why she should have to wait.
The restaurants we went to were really reasonable (think chain restaurants a step up from McDonalds) and neither of us were drinking over the weekend. When the bill came on the first night she seemed embarrassed and asked if I could put it on my card. I did and she promised to pay me back. The same happened the next night. She's said she'll bank transfer me on payday for her food and the events.
DH and I keep finances separate and have a joint account for bills etc but as soon as I got home he asked if she paid for anything. I explained she will pay me back in 3 weeks time and he pointed out this means she got paid a week ago and also she had several months notice and that she shouldn't have agreed to the trip when she couldn't afford it.
She's brilliant company and a great friend but seems to be absolutely terrible with money and I don't want to exclude her from anything but I feel bad constantly fronting her the money and then feeling like I'm bankrupting her every payday.