Journal · Friends and money
The makan kaki group: keeping regular meals fair
Keep a regular meal group fair with a simple monthly tab instead of "I'll get the next one".
Every week, the same group heads out for lunch or supper. Sometimes one person pays, sometimes another. After a few months, nobody is quite sure who is ahead.
The problem with "I'll get the next one"
Taking turns feels generous, and it works for a while. But meals are not the same price, people miss weeks, and memory is kind to itself. Over time, one person usually ends up paying more without anyone meaning it.
Three ways to keep it fair
Pay your own each time. At hawker centres and food courts, everyone often pays at their own stall anyway. This is the simplest.
Rotate, but keep a note. If you take turns, write down who paid and how much. Once a month, check the totals and even them out.
One group tab. Whoever pays records it. Settle the balance at the end of each month with a few transfers.
A worked example
Over four weeks, a group of four friends records:
- Week 1, Jun paid S$48
- Week 2, Priya paid S$36
- Week 3, Jun paid S$52
- Week 4, Hana paid S$44
That is S$180 in total, or S$45 each. Jun paid S$100, Priya S$36, Hana S$44 and Ken nothing. So Ken pays Jun S$45, Priya pays Jun S$9 and Hana pays Jun S$1.
Keep it light
The goal is not to count every kopi. It is to make sure the generous friend is not quietly paying for everyone. A simple monthly check is enough.
New members
When someone joins the group, start them at zero. Old balances stay between the people who were there.
With Perpax
Perpax, coming soon from Goldmend Money, will keep a running tab for your makan kaki group and settle it in a few taps each month.
General information, not financial or legal advice. Figures are examples. Check your receipt and official sources.
Next: Splitting a birthday dinner when one person is the guest of honour