Easiest way to split the cost of a trip with friends

[Mizzoufan]

I guess I'm old school but why can't each time you get gas you just divide up the gas and each person pay the part when you get the gas. Same with groceries when you shop when you get the total each person pays there share at the register.

 

[kymom99]

Ahem...while "older", I have used similar apps and I can tell you the hardest part about them is actually getting someone to go into them and pay you. Technology doesn't fix that issue. Or the fact that your friend's account is empty and they CAN'T pay you back immediately.

I've had enough trouble with paying up front for folks who took forever to pay me back, even when they had the means to do so. Given my past life experiences (remember, I'm "older" LOL) I'd rather see that everyone actually has the cash up front, before paying for anything.

I totally agree with this. I can't tell you how many times I've put up the money for a group gift and couldn't get people to pony up the money for their share. And I'm talking mature adults. It's very frustrating. If you have people pay as they go inevitably somexwill be out of cash, etc and it gets too hard to keep track of. If I was the driver, I would want the gas money up front. No way would I drive my car and pay for the gas too, which is what would happen if someone didn't pay. The room money should be collected in advance as well. That leaves groceries and you could ask the group how that should be handled. Some might want to eat more meals out, some may skip breakfast, etc

 

[happybaker]

When I have gone on group trips we have put gas money in an envelope at the start of the trip.

We did this when friends went on a road trip through the West and we rented a car. We all put an equal amount of cash in an envelope and used it for gas/parking. We just left the envelope in the glove compartment. We split the leftover money equally at the end of the trip.

 

[Hikergirl]

I guess I'm old school but why can't each time you get gas you just divide up the gas and each person pay the part when you get the gas. Same with groceries when you shop when you get the total each person pays there share at the register.

I think the OP is worried that some may not have the money at the time to do that.

Figuring out gas and tolls shouldn't be too hard and for groceries just estimate for the week. I assume everyone is responsible for their own incidentals, and things like going out for drinks so just take the hotel, gas and grocery estimate and divide that by the number of people.
Let them know it may end up being a little more or less, but at least you would have the bulk of your expenses paid for up front.

 

[RajunCajun]

That works...unless 1-2 of them don't have that money at all b/c they didn't plan well...I'm always leery of starting the trip not knowing that everyone can actually pay for it (and finding that out mid-trip), so getting money in advance would put the planner's mind at ease...Some of these kids may have no clue what things actually cost in Disney...they think $500/week is more than enough and gag when they see the number doubling that...

That's why I stopped planning trips for my friends and I. Everyone was all talk and when it came to paying, it was a show of sorts and due to that, I won't do it again.

Ahem...while "older", I have used similar apps and I can tell you the hardest part about them is actually getting someone to go into them and pay you. Technology doesn't fix that issue. Or the fact that your friend's account is empty and they CAN'T pay you back immediately.

I've had enough trouble with paying up front for folks who took forever to pay me back, even when they had the means to do so. Given my past life experiences (remember, I'm "older" LOL) I'd rather see that everyone actually has the cash up front, before paying for anything.

When I say older I think my parents who are into their 60's and refuse to even think of riding in an uber/lyft let alone tie their CC information to a cash app. But you do bring up a great point which I mentioned above. I stopped planning trips for people because of their lack of ponying up the money when it came time. I would give them flight information and tell them where to be and when. I tried collecting money once for deposits and what not and yeah...never again!

 

[katmatry]

Easiest thing to do is have one person pay for all shared expenses, divide by 4 and collect money. If you have to worry about weather or not someone will pay their share then I wouldn't go with that person.
My husband and I travel with another couple. We share a room and put everything but souvenirs on our magic bands that are linked to one credit card. At the end of the trip we divide by 2....easy.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

In our group one person is the planner. She's really good at finding deals and we trust her. She will give us totals on everything and we cash app her the money. If it's something like groceries she will give us an estimate, tell us it may be off but if there is extra money she will buy X, Y or Z (usually liquor to share) with it. This is all done before arrival and sometimes even before anything is booked.

 

[viaggiamo]

I would put a certain amount, unsure but you could roughly estimate it, like $300-$500 each in an account/envelope and pay for it all with that. Once that runs out estimate again and all put in the same amount.
Otherwise each person bring a meal or the ingredients to make a meal and then eat out the other nights. You could do this for breakfast and lunch too if you wanted to. So each person bring breakfast/lunch/dinner (ingredients or frozen complete meal) for all of you for one day. Then divide it all up eating most perishable first.

 

[Judique]

That's why I stopped planning trips for my friends and I. Everyone was all talk and when it came to paying, it was a show of sorts and due to that, I won't do it again.



When I say older I think my parents who are into their 60's and refuse to even think of riding in an uber/lyft let alone tie their CC information to a cash app. But you do bring up a great point which I mentioned above. I stopped planning trips for people because of their lack of ponying up the money when it came time. I would give them flight information and tell them where to be and when. I tried collecting money once for deposits and what not and yeah...never again!

You've dug yourself in on this one! I'm mid sixties and completely capable of using uber/lyft if so desired or using an ap!

But keep talking, we may all learn something from the younger kids!

 

[ranman1973]

I go to Osoyoos every year with 2 other families. We all take turns making meals, and we share all expenses. Here's what we do.

Each person pays for items with their personal funds, but keeps the receipt. They write their name on the receipt. At the end of the trip, I calculate the total that we each paid, and figure out who needs to repay whom such that we all pay an equal amount.

This makes it very transparent and easy.

 

[Sleepy425]

I've used the envelope method in the past. We all put a set amount in an envelope and used that for all shared expenses. At the end of the trip the remaining was split, or if it wasn't much it went to whoever used their car to pay for an oil change.
This way there's no wondering splitting expenses while you're on the trip.

 

[NotUrsula]

I'd also agree that while the apps are great for the logistics of splitting costs, they are best for people who are actually working full-time and have a steady income, and thus can be assumed to REALLY know that they have enough money to be able to afford to go on the trip.

Students don't always have a solid income on their own, and may jump in on a fun plan with the idea that they will cross that money bridge when they come to it, assuming that they will manage to talk a manager into giving them extra hours, or sweet-talk Mom or Dad into a cash contribution. With a group where some people don't have a reliable steady income, it's best to get your hands on the full anticipated amount in cold, hard cash before the rubber ever meets the road.