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Friends owe you money? Gen Z goes into debt covering group expenses, survey finds
Summary by The Nashville Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Holly Firfer , NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate)
· July 21, 2026
· 2 min read
Are you still waiting for a friend to pay for their share of a girls' weekend or boys' golf outing? That feeling of frustration is more familiar than you might think. From airfare to bar tabs, someone usually ends up fronting the money for group trips or other shared expenses. The problem? Trying...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Nashville Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Holly Firfer, NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 21, 2026 Indexed here Jul 21, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway Here's what you're owed and what you might still have to pay A new Zelle report found that 76% of Gen Z consumers who covered a group expense were never fully repaid.
Why this matters in The Nashville
In Nashville, where community and social events are a staple of the city's culture, the issue of unpaid group expenses can be particularly problematic. With the city's thriving music and arts scene, it's not uncommon for friends to split costs for concerts, festivals, or nights out on Broadway. However, as the Zelle report suggests, this can often lead to financial strain and damaged relationships. For Nashville's young professionals and students, who may already be struggling to make ends meet, taking on debt to cover group expenses can be a significant burden. By setting clear expectations and using digital payment apps, Nashvillians can avoid the hassle and financial stress of unpaid IOUs, and instead focus on enjoying the city's many social and cultural offerings. As Dr. Williams notes, being mindful of one's financial limitations and communicating openly with friends can go a long way in maintaining healthy relationships and avoiding financial pitfalls.
About this story
Original reporting by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 21, 2026 ·
Source: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Are you still waiting for a friend to pay for their share of a girls' weekend or boys' golf outing? That feeling of frustration is more familiar than you might think. From airfare to bar tabs, someone usually ends up fronting the money for group trips or other shared expenses. The problem? Trying...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 21, 2026 by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Holly Firfer at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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