The cost of a true friend: £26,000 over a lifetime

The cost of a great friendship amounts to £26,556 over a lifetime, with the price of thoughtful birthday presents, visits and nights out racking up a huge bill, a study has claimed.

However, the vast majority of people believe that their relationship with their best friend is worth more than the money they put into it.

The report found that people typically shell out £3,498 on birthday presents for their closest mate over the ourse of their relationship, while they spend £21,000 going to visit them if they do not live in the same area.

Other expenditures include helping a pal through breakups, adding up to more than £200, and small gifts to show them how much they are appreciated worth £255.

The analysis by Topcashback.co.uk found that 85 per cent of people believe that their relationships are worth more than the money they have spent. However, this could be because they believe they are getting a better deal, as more than a fifth think their friend has spent more money on them than they have.

In some cases, however, resentment may bubble under the surface, as 7 per cent admit to begrudging spending the amount of money they have on their friendship. And sadly, 9 per cent think they would have more friends if they spent more money on them.

Abigail Sutton, spokeswoman for Topcashback. co.uk said: “Those friendships which stand the test of time are often the most important in our lives; however, they come at a cost. From train tickets once a month to flights and a new dress for a wedding in France, the price paid for having a best mate can soon add up.

“When we asked people to compare their friendship to the monetary investment, only 13 per cent thought their friendship was equal to their investment, with the majority thinking it was worth much more.”

Life-milestones also leave pockets empty. When a chum decides to set up home, friends shell out £141 on housewarming gifts and helping them move. And around £645 is spent while celebrating a closest friend’s nuptials, plus £300 when they have a child.

More than half of people have up to three best friends, meaning it could cost as much as £79,668 to maintain close friendships over a lifetime.

The study took 81 years as an average lifespan for men and women, assuming that best friends are formed at a young age. However, on average, the study said, people tend to have a best pal for 20 years and therefore spend around £8,651 on that friend in that time.

0 Weddings, children, birthday gifts and even helping a friend through a break-up all cost us money