When you are broke and you have rich friends

It is good to have friends who out earn you because these friends are able to come through with a quick loan when you are in desperate need of it. It is also good because apparently you are the sum of the people you surround yourself with.

So if you have no job…do not spend all your time with people who also have no job. That is what the experts say.

Sometimes you are lucky and your richer friends are so sweet, they do not mind tiding you over.

Sometimes they will help you manage situations like; it is the four of you and three of them want to go watch a film but for you, that ka Shs20,000 can take you through a whole week.

But because it is not a complete experience without you and Shs20,000 is so little to them, one pays for you. Or, you always go to the bar, and you drink and they pay. But unless you were not raised with warnings not to eat the neighbors’ food, you will experience some discomfort at your friends’ continued hospitality. And you should.

While you might not have money right now to balance the equation, here is what you can do to try.

1. Do not take advantage. Do not atte show up with your girlfriend and also order drinks for her.

2. Say no sometimes, say no a lot of times. You can miss some outings, they will be fine without you. OK, go out once a week with them. Not every day after work.

3. Try and come through when they need you. Your support doesn’t need to be financial. If someone invites you to their child’s sports day, go. It is a Saturday and you would rather be napping but come through. It might mean more to them than you know.

4. When you come up, do not forget your people! Do not be the one please; who gets a whole new set of friends. Also, do not go to the extreme when you get a ka deal of Shs500,000 and call all your friends out and spend Shs350,000 just to show them a good night. You will be back to square one tomorrow and that is not what we are aiming at. Treat them yes, but within reason.

They will appreciate it and because they are good friends, they will understand.