Meet up groups etc costing loads of money?

[girlfriend44]

Am I the only one to think that all meet up groups seem to revolve around drinking and eating out and they are constant?

You wouldnt think there was a cost of living crisis all the time and the organisers are relentless in their suggestions? Constant we've arranged this all the time, they dont seem to pace it?
I havent joined any but im a member of a few and see it alot come up.

AIBU to think it would be good to have some cheap or free activities instead of everything revolving around the pub or cafes etc and maybe not so often.

How is that rude? It was a genuine suggestion.

Organising anything takes time and effort and if their efforts don't suit your tastes, you could step in to help organise something different.

I don’t really see how that is relevant? Some people have more money than others. Some people aren’t struggling.

This obviously isn’t the group for you. Find a new one or arrange your own meet ups

Oh I see it’s Meet Up, I know the group, they often do bowling and stuff. Yes it always paying activities, I guess for safely reasons people want to meet in a public place.

Is this the actual meet up organisation or meet ups with friends?

Oh boy, where to start.

OP, it’s not rude to suggest that you start a free or low cost group of your own.

If you are already a member of a meetup group, talk to the organizers and see if they’d be willing to either include some low/no cost activities or if they would be open to promoting a sister group that you start for low/no cost activities.

It is not realistic to expect an established group to change their activities because of your circumstances.

Not everyone is poor

they will be organizing meals out because that’s what most of the members of the group will be interested in

Why not start your own free and cheap group if you’re so bothered

FFS why would you complain to the organiser?? Just join another group, it's not like the OP has paid for the service or is being forced to join in.

And FWIW I echo everyone saying not everyone is struggling and I'm getting quite fed up of being almost villianised for wanting to spend my disposable income on, you know, things I enjoy like meals out and weekends away.

Just join a group that does the things you like to do and can afford to do or set up your own group (nothing rude about suggesting that).

OP, you know you are not tied to one type of meet up. I'm in walking groups, museum groups etc. you don't have any loyalties on meet up. Be selfish, join as many groups as you like and if what you want isn't there locally, start it!

Anyone can organise a meet up group

It really isn't though - there are loads of walking groups, for example, or cycling, where you only need your train fare if applicable, and it's normal to take a packed lunch.
Even if it's a conversational meetup in a pub you surely only need to order a soft drink and nurse it?

If you can’t afford it then join park run or a book club or one of the other man free clubs. If you can afford it and want to then join one of the groups you have mentioned here. Everyone has different earnings and priorities, end of story really.

I don't know whereabouts you are OP, but you try a "walk and talk" group. We have them round here, advertised on Nextdoor. They meet at various parks and walk and chat. You just need to find the group for you, rather than expecting it to be served up into your lap.

A man free club would be great! 😉

Over years I've enjoyed many and varied meet-up groups that were free or minimal cost. We met for coffee, yoga, meditation, to discuss books, share crafts, walk, swim, garden.

Set up your own group. That's what the established group wants to do, you cant go in and change it. If it's not the group for you...dont go.

I do a mixture of free and paid for groups - some meet up in person, some are online - I have never been to a pub with a meetup group.

It sounds like you need to find a new social groups @RealBecca. Over the years there are many things I've had to give up because I couldn't afford it. My NCT group in particular were always planning trips, kids outings, meals, cafes - even foreign holidays - that we couldn't afford. The church hall mums and babies group was much more my style!

Because, as unpalatable as it is to some, not everyone is struggling. Lots of people are managing just fine financially, even with costs going up.

You're not obliged to attend every single meet up or any if you don't want to/can't afford it.

Maybe start a group where you hang around the bus shelter complaining that other groups are too expensive?

We are in a meetup walking group. The only cost is the carpark at the start of the walk ( can often avoid this by parking elsewhere) and the sandwich and bag of crisps you take with you for lunch half way round. You are not in the right group Op. You also don't go to anything. Could you afford to go to a pub/ meal meetup once a month. No one is expected to go to everything. Not everyone is skint either.

The are hundreds of those on the meetup sites

This. We go to the pub if we have done a midweek walk in the evening. Some don't do the pub bit because they have an early start next day/ don't fancy it. Those that go mostly have a diet coke/lime and soda or a squash. A pint of squash is 50p. We don't do rounds ,you buy what you have. We have 1 drink then go home about 10.

Thank you, I had no idea this existed

It doesn't seem to be very popular in my area, there's only 1 thing which says it costs £5, it's in a pub so not clear what you get for that as I assume you buy your own drinks