When it comes to friendships, money often becomes the elephant in the room. We don't want to seem petty, greedy, or too calculative. But the truth is, when we avoid talking about money, small misunderstandings can quietly grow into big cracks in our relationships.

Why is it so uncomfortable? Maybe because we worry money will ruin the "pure" connection between us.

But Money Matters

Whether it's splitting a bill, lending money, or starting a small business together, money will come up. We've all had those moments—someone forgot to pay back, or assumed we were "okay" covering them again. At first, we stay quiet. But if we keep holding back, it builds into quiet resentment. And we end up feeling hurt over something we never even talked about.

Being Clear Is Being Kind

Talking about money doesn't mean we care more about cash than friendship. It means we care enough to be honest. Let's say we lend a friend $200. If we don't mention it again, hoping they'll remember, we put ourselves in a strange waiting game. But if we gently say, "Hey, just a reminder about the money from last month—do you know when you can send it?"—that's not rude. That's respectful to both sides.

Set Boundaries, Not Traps

We've all had times when a friend kept "forgetting" to pay for shared meals, or always asked for favors with no offer to return them. If we never speak up, we feel taken advantage of. But if we talk about it calmly, we set clear boundaries. It doesn't mean the friendship has to end—it just becomes more balanced.

Friendship and Fairness Can Coexist

Some people think talking about money makes a friendship feel like a business deal. But that's not true. Fairness and closeness can go hand in hand. In fact, friendships that survive honest conversations often become stronger, not weaker. It shows we trust each other enough to be real—not just polite.

What If It Goes Wrong?

Of course, some talks may feel uncomfortable. A friend might get defensive or avoid the topic. That's normal. But how they respond can tell us a lot about the friendship too. A true friend may not love the conversation—but they'll respect your honesty. And if they don't? That might say more than the money itself.

We All Have Different Views

Some of us grew up being told never to talk about money. Others see it as totally normal. That's why it's so easy for signals to get crossed. So before jumping to conclusions, we can ask: Do they even know how I feel? Have I been clear, or just hoping they'll guess?

Let's Talk About It

Lykkers, have you ever lost a friend over money—or saved one because you had an honest talk? Do you think it's better to speak up or stay silent? We'd love to hear your thoughts. Because when it comes to friendship, maybe the real question isn't if we should talk about money—but how we do it.

Let's share, learn, and grow together—because honest friendships are worth it.