Gen Z and millennials are taking on debt to go on group trips. Experts offer tips for protecting your money
Alicia Adamczyk
Wed, 9 July 2025 at 1:01 AM SGT7-min read
Maggie Hansen, center, and her friends at her bachelorette party.(Courtesy of Maggie Hansen)
When Maggie Hansen and a group of 11 of her friends made the trip to San Diego for her
bachelorette partylast year, she and her maid of honor tried to be as transparent as possible about the costs the 12 attendees would incur. Some could be anticipated, like airfare and a wine tasting excursion, but there were also unpredictable expenses like Ubers, bar tabs, and more.
While the financial costs of the getaway were inevitable, Hansen wanted to avoid adding emotional ones: In particular, the feelings of resentment, guilt, or disappointment that often arise with group trips. Since incomes and spending habits vary within a friend group, those feelings can multiply and fester. One friend may not drink alcohol or eat meat. That can easily cause problems if they are expected to split cocktail- and steak-heavy tabs with their friends who do. Another may make significantly less than others in the group but feel uncomfortable admitting to that fact.
Hansen’s dilemma will be familiar to plenty of 20- and 30-somethings who have attended increasingly expensive weekend trips with friends,
destination weddings, or even concerts. Nearly 40% of Gen Z and millennials say they have a friend who drives them to overspend, according to
data from Credit Karma, and while dining out and birthday celebrations often lead to profligate spending, weddings and bachelor and bachelorette parties are particular pain points. Some 56% of members of these generations feel they
must attend these events even if it will put a financial strain on them, a separate
Credit Karma survey finds. As a result, 38% say they have taken on debt.
