E98: The Financial Domain of Friendships

Money can strengthen a friendship—or quietly strain it. Whether it is splitting a dinner bill, planning a trip, or navigating big differences in income, finances often bring unspoken tension into even the strongest relationships.

In the financial domain of friendships, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, explore how money influences connection, power dynamics, and trust between friends. They discuss why financial transparency can feel taboo, how generational attitudes toward lending differ, and what happens when income or life stages diverge among friends.