Design for Life: Our friend’s meanness is affecting our relationship

This week, Fiona Brennan advises a reader on what to do about a friend who won’t put her hand in her pocket on social occasions

When a friend is mean with money, it really does burn a hole in the relationship. Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Dear Expert,

I have a friend who won’t put her hand in her pocket for anything. She always “forgets her wallet”, slips off to the bathroom or doesn't say anything when someone else volunteers to foot the bill. When we divide it after a dinner, inevitably she pays with cash and doesn’t put in enough. Several times we’ve found to our mortification that this means no tip has been given.

Now that Covid restrictions have ...