When you are younger, it is quite normal to want to make the most of every moment – which can mean attending every event and occasion that you are invited to.

This is not only a huge burnout risk, it can also get very expensive.

And unfortunately for the man in this story, his financial situation is quite precarious, which is limiting his ability to take part.

Read on to find out how this is challenging his relationships with friends.

AITA for not wanting to contribute to the graduation gifts of people who aren’t even my friends?

Two girls that I know (we are not friends), invited me to their graduation, probably just because I’m friends with their boyfriends.

So a group chat for their gifts has been created, with a survey with different budget options for their gift.

I felt bad about going to their graduation without contributing for the gifts, so I chose the 10 euro option.

This was two lots of ten euros, for the two gifts.

But this has caused him significant hardship.

But now, I can’t really afford to give the money, even though for pretty much everyone, it’s not such a big amount.

The problem is that I have a lot of expenses right now, like another gift for another graduation (this time for a friend), and some things to pay.

I’m 22 years old, and after high school I started college.

However, I quit college and now I’m applying for jobs, so I don’t really have my own money, and I don’t want to ask too much of my parents, because is a tough period for them.

All this has landed him in a sticky situation.

I don’t really want to spend money on them, because we are really not friends.

I would just do it out of politeness, but right now I really don’t want spend money randomly on people I barely know.

I’m getting pressed about it by my friends, and I understand that I come out bad, but I’m really watching my expenses, and my finances are low right now.

AITA?

Gifts are never an obligation, and no one should be forced to contribute more to a group gift than they can afford.

It’s understandable that he doesn’t want to spend more than he can afford to right now.

If he explains the situation to his friends and they aren’t sympathetic to his situation, they aren’t really friends at all.

Let’s see what folks on Reddit had to say about this.

This person agreed that there is no obligation to spend money that he doesn’t have.

But others encouraged him to not attend the party at all if he couldn’t afford the gift.

Meanwhile, this Redditor thought he was wrong for not being honest.

His lack of funds should totally be respected – but this can only be the case if he is honest about his situation.

There is no obligation for him to attend the party at all, and if he feels uncomfortable about attending without contributing to the gift, it would be quite alright for him to politely withdraw at this stage.

No party is worth compromising your financial situation for.

A good friend would understand.

If you liked that post, check out this story about a guy who was forced to sleep on the couch at his wife’s family’s house, so he went to a hotel instead.