Simply saying yes to plans can get expensive fast. Before you know it, you’ve committed to a destination wedding, a few birthday parties, a bachelor weekend and a standing Sunday brunch — because, apparently, Sunday Funday is nonnegotiable.
The constant social pressure to show up can turn fear of missing out, aka FOMO, into a spending trigger that nudges people to say yes — and spend — before fully considering the cost. New data from personal finance app Albert suggests that social pressure, rather than a lack of financial goals, is one of the biggest reasons budgets fall apart.
For Generation Z — those born between 1997 and 2012 — that pressure can be particularly intense. According to the Albert survey, 46% of Gen Z respondents said social spending, including destination weddings and bachelorette parties, is a major reason their budgets fall apart.
The generation is also twice as likely to spend based on how they feel in the moment, often chalking it up to “treating myself,” according to the study. And when money gets awkward, many would rather avoid the conversation. Nearly two-thirds (65%) said they’d rather start over on their budget than ask a friend to pay them back for a casual brunch.
You don’t have to become the boring friend to keep your budget in check. Experts say it’s more about setting realistic boundaries around social spending, planning ahead and building flexibility into your budget so FOMO doesn’t derail your finances.
6 ways to resist social pressure and protect your budget
1. Budget in advance for social outings
Social spending doesn’t have to wreck your budget, but the key is planning for it ahead of time. Setting aside a specific line item in your budget for parties, trips or weekend brunches lets you enjoy your social life without the stress of overspending.
Andrea Woroch, a budgeting expert, tells Money that implementing a social spending category allows you to be intentional with your money. “Ultimately, social spending doesn't have to impact your finances and future goals as long as you plan for it and build it into your budget,” she says. “As long as you stay within the set spending limit, you will find that you become more selective about which social outings to attend, enjoying them that much more.”
Having a separate “fun fund” also makes it easier to resist impulse outings. “Without a budget or spending plan in place, it's easy to let social gatherings, trips and other purchases snowball into overspending or, worse, debt,” Woroch says. A dedicated budget for social activities helps you set reasonable spending limits while still participating in the events that matter to you.
2. Find cheaper ways to be social
Cutting back on spending doesn’t mean removing yourself from the group chat. It’s more about making small adjustments or suggesting alternatives to stay social without spending your monthly grocery budget in one night.
“Suggest alternative plans that are more affordable,” Woroch says. “Skip the pricey restaurant outing and invite friends over for a potluck dinner and movie, plan a hike and picnic or scope out a free art gallery."
You can also get creative in other ways: Meet for drinks after dinner to avoid spending money on a full meal, share accommodations at a friend’s wedding or shorten a weekend trip by a night, Woroch explains.
3. Be the planner
One of the easiest ways to keep social spending under control is to take charge of making plans yourself. When you’re the person organizing the outing, you can steer costs in a way that works for your budget.
“Research on social behavior shows groups default to whoever proposes first, but you don't have to be a financial sheep,” says Andrew Latham, a certified financial planner. “You’re not opting out because you're tight. You’re steering the wheel because you're smart about money.”
Taking the lead also helps normalize money boundaries. Latham suggests saying something as simple as, “I’m being more intentional with spending this year.” Being open about your finances signals to friends that your choices are intentional, not judgmental, and your friends will be more likely to adjust than you might expect.
4. Never say yes right away
Impulse commitments are one of the fastest ways budgets get off track. Giving yourself time to think before responding to a social invite lets you evaluate the cost of the event.
“Never say yes right off the bat,” Woroch says. “Always give yourself time to think through a social invite. This will give you time to assess whether you can afford it and if it's something that will add value to your life or bring you joy.”
Taking a pause also gives you a chance to research the total costs, which — in the case of a group trip, destination wedding or weekend getaway — could include travel, lodging and meals that aren’t always obvious upfront. Sometimes a small adjustment — like finding a deal on airfare, trimming part of the trip or attending only a portion of the event — can make participation more manageable.
5. Try loud budgeting
Remember when loud budgeting was all over TikTok? The idea — being upfront about exactly how much you're spending, saving or cutting back — helps take the awkwardness out of talking about money.
“More people are opening up about their financial situations and goals, and honesty is the best policy,” says Woroch. “If a meal out or trip is out of your budget, explain that you're working toward a financial goal and need to cut back on the extras. If this means missing out on a big birthday celebration or other milestone or big life moment for someone you care about, come up with a less costly way to celebrate after they return from the trip.”
Being clear that your choices are intentional — not restrictive — makes money conversations less awkward and keeps your budget on track. It can also make navigating future invites easier.
6. Set boundaries with social media
When so much of daily life is spent online, the social pressure to spend isn't just coming from friends — it's also baked into our social media feeds.
Research from the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute found that nearly one-third of people reported experiencing financial strain after overspending due to ads or sponsored content on social media. Many also cited constant comparison — seeing friends, influencers or strangers traveling, renovating their homes or shopping — as a major source of financial stress.
That pressure can make overspending feel normal, especially when purchases or experiences are framed as self-care.
The solution isn't to quit social media, because that's unrealistic for many. Instead, try being more intentional with how you use it, whether that means muting or unfollowing accounts that trigger envy or comparison, limiting exposure to shopping-heavy platforms or turning off targeted ads when possible.
7. Saying no is also OK
Sometimes the best way to protect your budget is simply by saying no. If saying yes means going into debt, it's not worth it.
“Your financial priorities should come before social expectations — every time,” says Adam Spiegelman, founder and wealth advisor at Spiegelman Wealth Management. “A destination wedding isn’t just a weekend; it’s flights, hotels, outfits, gifts — and suddenly it’s thousands of dollars. If you have to carry credit card debt to attend an event, that’s a clear signal to step back.“
Saying no doesn’t have to mean disappearing or disappointing friends. Spiegelman suggests there are tactical ways to participate without overspending, such as renting an outfit for a special event from services like Rent the Runway or buying secondhand for a special event. Often, just being honest works best. “Saying, ‘I can’t swing this financially right now, but I really want to support you,’ is often received better than people expect,” he says.
At the end of the day, it's about setting clear boundaries and being honest about them. Social pressure will always pop up, but protecting your long-term financial health should come first.
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