Interesting article, but I don't think there's anything new about friendships sinking under mismatched financial statuses. It's always been true; the recession is only making it happen more often. I've had a few long-term friendships with people much wealthier than I and much poorer, but generally friendships are more solid between those of reasonably similar financial and social class. Some adjustments can be made with more openness, too. If a group of friends insists on going to a restaurant you can't afford, be upfront. Tell them you want to enjoy their company but you'll be ordering much smaller and will have a separate check. If they have any manners and intelligence at all, they won't be uncomfortable if you're clearly not embarrassed. If, however, your friends insist that you spend as freely as they do when you really can't do that, they're not friends. Real friends consider the feelings and circumstances of other friends and don't insist on inappropriate activities and don't make their friends feel small about it either.