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Celebrate National Pay Back a Friend Day on October 17 by showing your appreciation for the amazing people in your life! This day was created to recognize the importance of friendship, and it's a great opportunity to show those close to you just how much they mean. Whether it’s dinner out or simply expressing gratitude, this is an ideal time to show that special someone how much you appreciate them.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1930s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Origins of Lending Among Friends</div><div class='timeline-text'>Lending among friends became common during the Great Depression ostensibly as a response to economic hardship.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1950s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Rise of Friendship Studies</div><div class='timeline-text'>Studies into the importance and dynamics of friendship increase, shedding light on its impact on societal and individual wellbeing.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2005</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Digital Money Transfers</div><div class='timeline-text'>The initiation of PayPal's "Send Money" feature simplifies repaying friends, encouraging the repayment of small loans among peers.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2014</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Venmo Broadens Accessibility</div><div class='timeline-text'>Venmo goes public, making digital repayments widely accessible, which further enabled friends to easily settle their debts.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2017</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>National Pay Back a Friend Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The holiday "National Pay Back a Friend Day" is celebrated for the first time on October 17, underlining the value of acknowledging debts owed to friends.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Pay for a friend's meal</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take your friend out to lunch or dinner and pay for their meal as a way to show your appreciation.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Send a thoughtful gift</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Send a gift card to your friend with a note attached expressing how much you appreciate them.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Write a thank you note</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>A heartfelt thank you card can go a long way in showing your gratitude. Take the time to sit down and write out why you are thankful for your friend.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Give a surprise visit</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Surprise your friend with an unexpected visit! Have some snacks ready, catch up on life and make it a memorable day.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Plan an outing</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Plan an activity together such as going to the movies, taking a hike or going out for ice cream. It's simple but shows that you care.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a great way to show appreciation</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>National Pay Back a Friend Day is the perfect opportunity to show your friends and loved ones how much you appreciate them. Whether it's returning a loan, treating someone to dinner, or just sending a heartfelt thank you note, taking the time to say "thank you" in some way will make them feel special and appreciated!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It can help strengthen relationships</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Paying back a friend isn't just about money; it's also an act of kindness that can help strengthen your relationships. A simple gesture like paying for lunch or buying someone a treat can go a long way towards building trust and understanding between two people.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's good for the soul</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>It feels great to pay back a friend! Repaying a debt or doing something nice for someone else can give you a boost of happiness and make you feel more connected to the people around you. Plus, studies have shown that helping others can give us long lasting joy and satisfaction!</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Friendship Loans Often Stay Interest-Free</h3><p class='facts-content'>Unlike regular bank loans, friend-to-friend loans often remain interest-free. This tradition leveraged out of trust and affection significantly differentiates such peer-to-peer transactions.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The UK Boasts the Largest Friendship Loan Balance Globally</h3><p class='facts-content'>UK citizens on average owe their friends an extraordinary 208 pounds, the highest documented global average amongst friendship loans.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Payback Mostly Happens in Installments</h3><p class='facts-content'>Research indicates that about 60% of people prefer to repay their friends in installments rather than a lump sum, often aiming to reduce potential financial strain.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>One-Third of U.S. Adults Have Been Hurt by “Friendly Loans”</h3><p class='facts-content'>Statistics show that about 36% of American adults have previously encountered negative effects on their friendships due to untimely repayments or failure to pay back loans.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Difference in Repayment between Men and Women</h3><p class='facts-content'>Study reveals that men are more likely to forget about paying back their friends, leading to about 15% more outstanding friend-to-friend loans among men compared to women.</p></div></div>
National Pay Back a Friend Day is celebrated on October 17 every year. In 2024 National Pay Back a Friend Day will occur on a Thursday.
2023
Oct 17
Tuesday
2024
Oct 17
Thursday
2025
Oct 17
Friday
2026
Oct 17
Saturday
2027
Oct 17
Sunday
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