money exp for overseas trip

Subscriber exclusiveHow to get friends to share expenses during group holidaysRyley OberFollow topic:InvestPublished Oct 9, 2026, 5:00 AMUpdated Oct 9, 2026, 5:33 PMListenA huge argument unfolded, she said. One friend was under the impression that he was owed well over US$200 (S$256), but with no receipts and differing recollections, he went unpaid.In a 2026 survey of some 2,000 people by fintech company PayPal, 46% said money disagreements created tension or “ruined the vibe” on a trip.Another survey from Zelle, the payments platform, found that consumers often are not fully repaid for group expenses.Why friends avoid the ‘money talk’The most common mistake? Not having a candid conversation about spending limits and repayment plans before friends start filling out their itinerary.Top storiesExplore top stories from all sections in one placeSingaporeAsiaSingaporeAsiaWhat’s the latest haze situation in Singapore?Indonesia’s disaster chief’s brother among five arrested over alleged graft amid haze crisis500+ reports in 2 months: How Singapore’s new Online Safety Commission is tackling online harmsSlain Hong Kong socialite Abby Choi called ‘birthing machine’ by ex-father-in-law, court hearsDanielle Bayard Jackson, a friendship coach and the author of Fighting For Our Friendships, said clients have frequently booked sessions with her specifically about navigating the “complexities of the group trip”.Close friends often skip the detailed planning process, Jackson said, because of what she called a “relationship-killing myth”: Friends think they should not have to explain what they find fun, because they fear that would be evidence that they are not as close as they thought.That fear of misperception intensifies when it comes to money. Friends who make more or less than fellow travellers do not want to be viewed differently because of it, Jackson said. That can introduce friction into a friend group.Experts suggest finding consensus about total costs, who is willing to pay what and the repayment process.If you are on a strict budget, it might help to tell fellow travellers about the other financial goals or responsibilities you have.Understanding your travel partnersOn a trip to Japan with three friends, Malvina Abbott described a balancing act between one friend with a limited budget and a wealthier friend who required five-star hotels with precise square footage.It took two months to compromise on the hotel, and they did not have a clear plan for how to handle uneven spending habits before the nine-day trip started, said Abbott, an 83-year-old retired public defender from San Diego.The wealthier friend ended up spending a lot of time on her own.“Our failure to talk about money issues made for some uncomfortable situations,” Abbott said.When planning a group trip, Jackson said she thinks about advice in The Art Of Gathering by Priya Parker: Start by asking, what’s the point?“That helps inform where you should go, how much you should spend and, most importantly, who should come,” Jackson said.Once the invite list is set, it can be helpful to suss out each person’s spending habits during planning.For example, Jackson said she has a friend who enjoys footing a group bill at a restaurant and gets genuinely insulted when others try to pay their portion.More on this topicFinancial freedom is being able to pay for all expenses, not how much you have 3 steps to find out how much you have been spending on your family every monthIf you know that someone is not as reliable at repaying what others fronted, ask yourself if you are willing to potentially lose that money, said Traci Williams, a clinical psychologist and certified financial therapist.For some people, the loss is worth it for their friend to join the trip.Frugal travellers should set a financial limit for when to opt out, experts said. If the total that others are willing to spend on the trip is going to ruin the experience for you, do not go.If someone doesn’t payThe trip has ended. Perhaps you have even sent a gentle reminder, yet some people still have not paid up. How do you confront them without triggering a fight?Williams recommends starting with something positive so that the friends are less likely to feel defensive. That can be as simple as saying: “I really enjoyed our time together.”From there, let them know why it is important for you to be repaid. That could be a bill that is due or upcoming plans you need to save for. Rather than a slap on the wrist, this gives laggards an opportunity to help you out, Williams said.Resist the temptation to just let it go, Jackson warned. While that might seem like the easiest option, it could cause resentment.See more onInvestTravel planningTravel tipsCredit/Debit cardsFinancial literacy