Weekend to See Friends

I would just be honest, the sooner the better so you guys can all brainstorm. You're not giving them much credit-if they're REAL friends, they won't care and will be glad to accommodate you!

BTW-we wouldn't have money right now to do that either. Don't feel badly.

You just need to tell them.
You said they are friends.
you can't help it...

Well I might suggest sending out a group email prior to the trip and just mentioning that maybe you want to set a loose agenda for the days you are together. This way you know what to expect and you can also put our there what you have in mind. You could even say something like I'm bringing my favorite books and am really looking forward to hanging out by the pool most of the time...or something like that. Include that you encourage them to go out to eat, or whatever, but you may choose to hang at the hotel and relax sometimes too. Basically be honest, but don't feel like you have to come right out and say hey, gals I'm totally broke but don't mind me! ;) Do what you feel comfortable doing and have fun!

I would not go. I would explain I only have airfare plus $20 and that is not enough to even eat out of a cooler. Ask them to take lots of photos and thank them for the invite. If they are able and feeling generous, they will cover your costs. If not, you have spared burdering yourself or your friends.
I HATE when a group of us goes out and one M. complains about how much everything costs and asks us to change the plans we all made together.

here are a couple of things my mom has been doing that is making little bits of money. sell any old or unwanted gold. she takes in broken earrings and necklaces and makes money on that. video games that no one plays with anymore are usually worth a couple bucks. if you have a disc replay thats the place to go. half price books buys old books. kids clothing your done with can go to once upon a child to be sold.

I would just put it out there in an email that you can't wait to see everyone. And it will be great to visit. but you just don't have it in the budget. maybe they could fly out by you. chances are they don't all have buku money either

If you already bought the plane ticket, you can't just eat that expense by not going. That would be worse.
You have a few weeks so hopefully you can come up with something.
My uncle called me about going to a memorial for my dad who passed away and they were having a family reunion at the same time.
I said I couldn't go because I didn't have the money. I was barely over a broken leg and still on lower disability income as a single mom. My uncle paid for my plane ticket and he got a hotel room for me and my sister and my cousin (his daughter). He said he wouldn't let me say no.
I had a check coming, but just not in time before I had to leave, so I borrowed a little bit of money. And I mean a LITTLE bit. Fortunately I was around relatives 90% of the time so I didn't have to buy food and I did go shopping quite a bit, but I didn't buy anything. That's not true....I bought postcards to send my kids and some little souvenirs.
I hadn't been around my family in so long and it was the trip of a lifetime even though I didn't have money.
I was worried about feeling like a charity case too, but you know what? I was! Not one of my family members treated me that way. They were just so happy to see me.
I think you should let your friends know that you aren't coming with a suitcase full of money, but you wouldn't miss this trip for the world.

You made $20 in one day having a garage sale. Do it again. Do you have anything worth value that you can take to a consignment shop? Can you babysit a few kids? Can you offer to clean someone's house?
Keep brainstorming.

I hope it all works out.

Honesty is ALWAYS the best policy.

If you can't afford it - don't go. I know this is hard..but really - if all you have is $20 then you won't be able to do much of ANYTHING let alone go out to dinner with the friends...how are you going to afford the hotel room?

You can talk to your husband about getting some money as well...if money is that tight...then I strongly suggest you don't go...tell your girlfriends the TRUTH that money is tight right now and that the plane ticket was more and you don't have the money...ask if another date might work for them instead...

If you can't do that - then try Craigslist to sell things you aren't using. Use ebay as well...use the Buy It Now option so things will sell quicker...do some research to make sure the things are priced to sell...not to give away - but sell...

GOOD LUCK!

I would bow out this time and instead focus on saving money for the next time you can all get together.

.

Are you staying at someone's house? Even if you are not staying in a hotel, how are you going to pay for your food and possible transportation to get it? These days airline travel isnt a one price covers everything. Unless you travel frequently and have enough miles/points/status to not pay for checked bags, expect to pay upwards of $50 each way per bag, if you can not carry everything on. Also most now do not include meals in flight so prepare to either bring some food with you or buy at the airport.

Like the other posters stated, I would talk to one close friend in the group and explain your situation and possible offer some fun, free things to do. Personally, if I was working (making my "own" money) I would want to spend some on vacation so if I was you I would be prepared to stay behind on those outings if the tab could be out of your reach. Yes, they are your friends that you havent seen in 10 years but you shouldnt go into debt or starve you family to go, and they should understand that and maybe even offer to help out.

Wow. Sounds like you may have painted yourself into a corner. Follow the advice of everyone here.

I would also suggest thinking outside of the box. Right now my nephew is selling ice cold water by the roadside. He buys 24 waters for about $5.00 and sells them for $1.00 each. With the profit from his first case load sale he purchased another case of water and some hots dogs and buns and a portable grill. Now he is selling hot dogs and water. The kids in the neighborhood love it and so does there mom.

You may want to consider having something like a bake sale. Baby sitting is always good too. Perhaps you could wash cars. In the mornings my nephew goes to a local garage where he washes cars and in the afternoons he sells water and hot dogs.

There are loads of things that people do everyday that you could do and get paid for. What talents, skills and abilities do you possess and then let your network of family and friends know you are offering your services for hire.

I don't know how much time you have to get this done but at least you have $20.00 seed money to poor into it. I hope this helps.