Your money

The holidays can throw into sharp relief the financial differences between you and your friends.

As an office buddy describes a lavish ski trip, you sweat how to pay the mortgage on top of record winter heating bills. Or you invite a friend to go Christmas shopping, and she suggests Wal-Mart when you were itching to go to Nordstrom.

Those who manage to bridge the gap say the effort is worth it — you’re rewarded with a friendship you know isn’t based on status.

Read more about the price of friendship in Your Money Sunday.