Group Trip 101: How to Convince Your Friends to Pay (Without Sounding Desperate)

So you and your friends have been talking about a group trip for months. The WhatsApp group has been created, Pinterest boards are popping, and someone has even said, “Guys, let’s do matching outfits!” But when it’s time to pay, everybody suddenly goes ghost.

Oga Kunle is typing “Lmaoo, let’s see how this month goes.” Sarah is reminding you that “January was like 365 days long.” Tolu, who suggested the trip in the first place, has just hit you with a “God will provide.”

It’s looking like your dream group trip is about to die before it even starts. But don’t worry—I’ve got you. 

Here are some ways to convince your friends to pay up without sounding desperate.

1. Create Fake Scarcity

Tell them the price is about to double. No, TRIPLE. In fact, say the resort just called and they only have one slot left for a group of five. If they don’t pay within 24 hours, the deal is gone forever, and a family of six from Enugu is already on standby to take your spot.

Will this work? Probably not. But will it make them panic enough to at least consider paying? Absolutely.

2. Use Emotional Blackmail

Make them feel guilty. Post an old throwback picture of the group on your Instagram story with the caption, “Can’t believe we’ve come so far. Y’all are my ride or die.” Then, a few hours later, drop “Some people don’t really value friendships sha.”

When they ask what’s wrong, hit them with: “Nothing. I just think it’s crazy that we can’t even do one small group trip together.”

They’ll either pay or block you. Either way, you’ll get a reaction.

3. Lie About a Celebrity Sighting

Tell them Burna Boy or Tems is confirmed to be vacationing in the same location at the same time. When they say, “Send proof,” just tell them it was in a very exclusive, now-deleted Instagram story.

If they don’t believe you, hit them with: “Omo, do you want to miss this chance to chill with greatness because of 250k?”

Shame is a powerful motivator.

RELATED: 7 Places You Should Definitely See Before You Die

4. Use Spiritual Manipulation

Tell your church group chat to pray against the “spirit of tight hands” affecting your friends. Send a voice note in the group trip’s WhatsApp group, sounding very solemn, saying, “Guys, I had a dream o. I saw us all in a private villa, laughing and having the time of our lives. But some people were missing. I don’t want to say who, but just check your spirit.”

Watch as panic makes them reach for their PiggyVest savings.

5. Fake a Medical Condition

“I just found out I have Chronic Tripophobia. If I don’t touch an ocean breeze in the next month, my doctor says I may never recover.”

They will question you. Stand firm. Tell them it’s a rare disease that affects only people with ‘big dreams but broke friends.’

6. Make It a ‘Soft Life or Die’ Situation

Say something like, “Bros, do you really want to be on this earth suffering and never experience real enjoyment?”

Then remind them how much they spent last month on nonsense:

• N75k on one random babe’s birthday
• N12k for a chicken shawarma that didn’t even have enough sauce
• N8k on Uber to go and collect a charger they forgot at someone’s house

Are they really trying to tell you that this group trip is where they draw the line?

7. Announce That You’ve Already Paid for Everyone

This will get them. Loudly declare, “Guys, no stress! I’ve already paid for everything!”

Then immediately go silent. When they start messaging you, saying, “Wait, how?!” hit them with, “Oh, no wahala. I just used my rent money. I’ll figure it out.”

Their inner good Samaritan will kick in. Nobody wants to be the reason you’re homeless. Watch the money roll in.

RELATED: 10 Countries Nigerians Can Visit Without A Visa

8. Tell Their Parents

Call their mother and say, “Ma, your child doesn’t want to see the world and it’s painful to watch.” Then gently bring up how international exposure is important for career growth. Tell her, “If only they travel small, maybe promotion will come.”

By the next day, your friend will be sending you urgent transfer receipts before their mother calls again. Or they might change it for you. Anything you see, collect it like that.

9. Photoshop Them Into Travel Pictures

Send them an edited picture of themselves lounging on a beach in the Maldives. When they say, “What’s this nonsense?” reply with, “Manifestation.”

They’ll be forced to confront their destiny.

10. Block Them Until They Pay

This one is not for the weak. Simply block them on WhatsApp, Instagram, and even LinkedIn. Let them feel what it’s like to live in a world where you no longer exist. After two days, send them a message from an unknown number:

“Is this what you wanted? Is this what we have become?”

They’ll pay. Trust me.

At the end of the day, remember: A friend who cannot contribute to a group trip is a friend who will not contribute to your wedding. Think about your future.

RELATED: How To Plan Your First International Trip As A Nigerian

If all else fails, plan the trip without them and post highlights non-stop. Watch as they start saying, “Omo, next time I must go!”

Next time ke? We don’t do next time here.

If all fails and your friends don’t show up, you can always find a travel buddy on the Travel and Hospitality community on Fusion.