Money Wellness

cost of living

Published 01 Oct 2025

3 min read

Money worries force young people to turn down social plans

Many young people are turning down social invitations because they can’t afford to go out. 

Money worries force young people to turn down social plans
James Glynn - Money Wellness

Written by: James Glynn

Senior financial content writer

Published: 1 October 2025

According to a poll by Lifetime, more than one in three (36.3%) Gen Z adults regularly skip social plans because they’re worried about money.

That compares with just 15.8% of baby boomers.

“We’re seeing a new kind of financial isolation,” said Keerti Baker, marketing director at Lifetime.

“It’s not just about being able to pay the bills. 

“It’s about missing birthdays, saying no to wedding invitations, and quietly backing out of everyday life because you don’t want to admit you’re struggling.”

How to keep up with your friends on a budget

Friendship shouldn’t come with a price tag, so you should never end up feeling isolated because money is tight.

So why not try a few budget-friendly ways to get together, have fun and celebrate milestones?

Go to free events 

Keep an eye out for local gigs, exhibitions, community cinema nights or free festivals in your area.

There’ll be plenty going on all year round that don’t cost a penny to attend.

For example, there’s loads of free Bonfire Night events coming up all over the country that could be ideal if you want to get together with your friends.

Head outdoors

Hang out with your friends in places like parks, beaches and country walking trails.

Take a few snacks, a ball or a pack of cards and that’s a fun-filled afternoon in beautiful surroundings that doesn’t cost you anything.

Film nights

Instead of paying over the odds for a cinema ticket, why not put on a DVD or fire up your favourite streaming service and watch a movie with your friends?

Each person could even bring snacks and drinks so you can make a night of it for a fraction of the cost of going out.

Activity nights

If someone in your friendship group has a particular skill, like baking, yoga or painting, make it a social thing and teach each other. 

It’s fun, free, and you’ll pick up a new skill.

Host a potluck night

Instead of going out for dinner, invite friends over and ask everyone to bring a dish. 

It’s cheaper for everyone, and you’ll end up with a table full of food to share.

Go for a run

Organise a group jog around your local park or join a free parkrun event, which takes place in towns and cities across the UK every Saturday morning. 

It’s a great way to stay active, be sociable and meet new people at the same time.

James Glynn - Money Wellness

Written by: James Glynn

Senior financial content writer

James has spent almost 20 years writing news articles, guides and features, with a strong focus on the legal and financial services sectors.

Published: 1 October 2025

The information in this post was correct at the time of publishing. Please check when it was written, as information can go out of date over time.

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James Glynn - Money Wellness

Written by: James Glynn

Senior financial content writer

Published: 1 October 2025

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