How to Handle Making More—or Less—Money Than Your Friends

. Humans typically gravitate toward people who are similar to us in some way, and we cling to that sense of similarity as the friendship grows and changes, says Rebecca Adams, professor of social work at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro..

When we meet in college (as I met the folks now making up one of my oldest and dearest friend groups) or deskside at a job (how I bonded with two of my newer besties) we perceive ourselves to be on equal financial footing with the people we hold close..

As we growor notin our respective careers, these gaps in income and wealth will only widen, says Rhaina Cohen, a podcast producer and author of the coming book on friendship, The Other Significant Others.".

In her four decades of financial advising, Eileen Freiburger, managing director of the Garrett Planning Network, says she has often seen peoples behavior change after a big money move in either direction..

Financial advisers and friendship educators agree: Whichever side of the financial divide you now find yourself, the way forward for many true friendships is having more open, honest conversations about money and how it affects our relationships..

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