Friends With Money

Advice from Two Friends

In 2006, Nicole Holofcener wrote and directed, FRIENDS WITH MONEY (Jennifer Aniston, Frances McDormand, Catherine Keener, Joan Cusack) An L.A. story about OLIVIA (J. Aniston) living month-to-month as a maid while her married girlfriends invite her to thousand dollar a plate benefit dinners.

Jenny, 32, lost her P.R. job last summer, but was just hired by a new firm. “I turned down invites from my GNO group so many times they stopped inviting me out. I couldn’t afford to go out and split bills for days vacations, or even dinners. Next year I’ll be able to again.”

Me: “They all ditched you for not being able to afford your old lifestyle?”

Jenny: “A couple didn’t… but. I mean, it’s gross but people are gross.”

Me: “What do you do with the people you’re still friends with?”

Jenny: “They take me out. They treat. I don’t love that.”

Me: “Why?”

Jenny: “Guilt.”

Living and socializing in Los Angeles for over a decade, I have seen many versions of Olivia and Jenny’s stories. I’ve watched entertainment switch to streaming, Covid, the WGA/SAG strikes… versions of Jenny and Olivia’s stories have multiplied. Not only in Los Angeles, but everywhere.

Me: “Don’t feel guilt about being treated. Two women: Both much wiser, worldlier, older, wealthier than me gave me good advice about guilt and gifts from friends.”