<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Nearly two million people are owed money by a mate – and for many, it's not a small amount.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>New research from financial comparison site Finder shows that almost one in ten Aussies are short-changed by a friend who hasn't repaid them.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The average owing sits at a staggering $1855, suggesting these aren't minor, one-off occurrences.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE UPDATES:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-iran-war-live-updates-april-22-donald-trump-latest-world-news-headlines/c3a8451b-6736-489e-8f50-adf4641cb25c"><strong><span>Trump declares extension of ceasefire</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Group gifts, restaurant bills, shared Ubers, event tickets and travel costs are among the repeat offenders.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Younger Australians are the most likely to be left in the lurch. The survey found that 12 per cent of Gen Z respondents are owed money, compared to 10 per cent of millennials and 8 per cent of Gen X.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Money expert Ceyda Erem said that while payment apps make it easier to settle up quickly and prevent one person from being left to pay, outstanding balances among friends can still cause friction.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/millions-aussies-owed-money-friends-advice-cost-of-living/a9cf375d-d7f0-4133-ad71-a646044caa91" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/pantry-loading-fuel-crisis-aussie-supermarkets-iran-war/59b0ca54-1d69-4ab6-96f2-6b5c306dade0" rel="" target="" title="The controversial shopping habit now 'non-negotiable' for certain Aussies"><strong><span>The controversial shopping habit now 'non-negotiable' for certain Aussies</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"While most debts between friends are relatively small, they can still add up and create frustration."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>For those wanting to recoup their losses, addressing the issue head on is the best place to start.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The first step is to directly ask for repayment. It might feel uncomfortable, but avoiding the conversation can lead to resentment over time," Erem said.</span></div></div><div class="player__video-container"><img alt="" src="https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/ZFUVvjPfD3pWtDB9u9uDvDeFo7E=/750x0/https%3A%2F%2Fvms-network-images-prod.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com%2F2026%2F04%2F767635%2Fthumbbb.png"/></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She explained that before offering to shout a meal for the table, it's important to consider your financial standing.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Money is tight, and many simply can't afford to let these costs slide … it's important to make sure you're not putting your own financial wellbeing at risk."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>