Chasing Five Dollars

In the news: The story

Read a 102-word news story: Would You Ask a Friend for Five Dollars?

Going out with friends can get complicated when the bill arrives. You might pay for a friend's coffee or taxi, but they sometimes forget that they owe you money. For many people, asking for small amounts back can feel very awkward. Young people have different limits for when they will remind someone to repay them. Some send a message for five dollars, while others prefer to split bills evenly or simply take turns paying. Money experts suggest being honest instead of staying silent. It is great to be generous, but friendships can suffer when people borrow small sums and never return them.

Vocabulary: Words in the news

6 items

Discussion: Small debts

2 discussion questions

• What is the smallest amount of money you would ask a friend to pay back?
• How do you usually handle the bill when you eat out with a group?

Discussion: Friendship and money

2 discussion questions

• Have you ever felt awkward asking someone you know for money?
• Do you prefer to take turns buying things for each other, or pay your exact share every time?

Discussion: The bigger picture

2 discussion questions

• Do banking apps make it easier or more stressful to settle small debts with friends?
• In your culture, do people expect friends to be generous, or is it normal to track every coin?