Australian here. I just got invited to a friend’s 30th at a fancy restaurant. 5 course meal and drinks included.

Catch is they want $150 per guest paid upfront as the RSVP to cover it.

I live interstate from this friend and we are close, slightly faded apart over the last year but still in regular contact. She made the party the date she knew I was already in town so I could come. And she is coming to my child’s birthday the day before even though it’s not super convenient for her.

It’s just, I genuinely cannot afford that money. I told her I’d come before I knew this is what they would ask us to pay.

Is this normal? Am I out of touch? How do I approach this? I’m thinking being completely honest.

hey

a dear friend invited me over to spend 2 nights and i dont know what to take with me. I thought about snacks and chocolate but i feel like thats not enough. And i am gonna travel for couple of hours with train so flowers are kinda unpractical..

hope you got some ideas