A woman has recalled the moment a row over the cost of a girls getaway plunged her friendship group of seven into “meltdown.”

Time and again, money has proven to be a major source of friendship conflict. A 2024 Bread Financial study found that more than one in five Americans (21 percent) had lost a friendship over financial issues. The most common flashpoints included unpaid loans and pressure to spend beyond one’s means.

Personal finances appear to be at the heart of the issues faced by one Threads user posting to the platform under the handle @aisle_core9.

In the post, the woman explained that she and six college friends have taken an annual trip together for years. However, tensions emerged when most of the group decided they no longer wanted to book budget accommodations and skip activities to keep costs as low as possible.

“My friend group is in full-blown meltdown mode over our annual trip, all because we’re finally done with budget travel,” @aisle_core9 wrote.

According to the post, six members of the group are now financially comfortable, while one friend, Amy, has continued to struggle financially.

“For years, we’ve basically slummed it to match Amy’s budget,” she said. “Think cramped rooms, skipping fun stuff ’cause it’s too pricey. We hit a point where we’re like, ‘Can we please treat ourselves for once?’”

She said the group tried to find a compromise by offering to subsidize Amy’s vacation costs so she could still join them on a more expensive trip.

“We even offered to cover Amy’s extra costs so she could come and enjoy a nicer trip,” @aisle_core9 explained. “Like, we’d split her portion and she just pays what she can afford. Our idea, not hers.”

However, she claimed Amy repeatedly turned down the offer.

“She refused. Every. Single. Time,” she wrote.

The dispute resurfaced as the group began discussing plans for their 2027 getaway. According to @aisle_core9, Amy once again suggested low-cost options, prompting her to take a firmer stance.

“Now we’re planning 2027 and she’s immediately sending cheap hostel links,” she said. “I finally put my foot down. I told her we’re not doing cheap anymore, and we still want to cover her.”

Amy’s reaction reportedly divided the friendship group.

“She blew up, saying we’re ‘punishing’ her for not earning a lot and she won’t come because she refuses to be our ‘charity case,’” @aisle_core9 said.

Despite the disagreement, the woman insisted the group was not trying to exclude their friend.

“Like, what? We’re not excluding you, Amy, we want you there! We just don’t want to travel like broke college kids anymore,” she wrote.

The fallout has left the seven friends split over what to do next, with some backing the decision to upgrade their annual trip and others arguing they should continue to accommodate Amy’s budget.

“Three of us agree, two think we should just suck it up,” @aisle_core9 said. “Am I wrong for wanting a decent vacation after years of sacrifice?”

One user commenting on Threads said: “Go on the vacation you want to have. Whoever wants to join you can.”

A second wrote: “You all are doing your part as friends by offering to cover what she can’t. Her refusal to accept the help is not your fault. Go on the vacation you want, cuz you do not owe Amy or anyone else prolonged discomfort for their comfort.”

A third added: “The ones that don’t want to slum it should stay where they want to and the ones that want to suck it up for Amy’s sake can slum it with her. You can meet up during the day if and when you want to and go your own way in the evenings.”