local
Friends owe you money? Gen Z goes into debt covering group expenses, survey finds
Summary by The Waco Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Holly Firfer , KXXV (ABC 25) News
· July 21, 2026
· 2 min read
Are you still waiting for a friend to pay for their share of a girls' weekend or boys' golf outing? That feeling of frustration is more familiar than you might think. From airfare to bar tabs, someone usually ends up fronting the money for group trips or other shared expenses. The problem? Trying...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Waco Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Holly Firfer, KXXV (ABC 25) News Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 21, 2026 Indexed here Jul 21, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway Here's what you're owed and what you might still have to pay A new Zelle report found that 76% of Gen Z consumers who covered a group expense were never fully repaid.
Why this matters in The Waco
In Waco, where community events and group outings are a staple of social life, the issue of unpaid group expenses can have a significant impact on residents' finances and relationships. With Baylor University and other local institutions drawing young people to the area, it's likely that many Gen Z consumers in Waco are affected by this problem. The fact that nearly half of Gen Z consumers who covered a group expense have gone into debt as a result is particularly concerning, given the already high cost of living in the area. As Dr. Traci Williams suggests, setting clear expectations and using digital payment apps can help mitigate this issue, but it will also require a cultural shift towards greater financial responsibility and communication among friends and acquaintances in Waco. By prioritizing open discussions about money and payment deadlines, locals can work to build stronger, more financially stable relationships.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 21, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Are you still waiting for a friend to pay for their share of a girls' weekend or boys' golf outing? That feeling of frustration is more familiar than you might think. From airfare to bar tabs, someone usually ends up fronting the money for group trips or other shared expenses. The problem? Trying...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 21, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Holly Firfer at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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