I’m going out to dinner with friends who enjoy good wine, but I don’t drink. How do I avoid paying more than my share of the restaurant bill? - JUSTINE, Memphis, TN
This is a classic money dilemma. Justine’s situation is very common: Someone who doesn’t drink gets stuck splitting the bill — and the cost of two bottles of wine — with the rest of the table.
If you’re caught in this situation or a similar one, you need to speak up. You can do this without spoiling the mood by addressing the issue beforehand. You can simply ask the waiter or waitress for separate checks. If that’s not possible, you can talk to your friends, and suggest that since you don’t drink (or you’re just having a salad, or whatever the situation might be), it would be great if everyone pays for their own meal and drinks. If you’re addressing the situation at the end of the meal, you might try saying something like “Hey guys, I figure $30 should cover my meal, soda, tax and tip. Can I throw that in and let you split the rest?”
And always remember to bring cash. It’ll be much easier for you to contribute just your share of the bill if you pay with cash. Plus, if you carry a balance on your credit card, you’ll avoid accumulating more debt by leaving the credit card at home.
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