I’ll Die on This Hill: Pay Your Friends

And other money etiquette for creative collaborators who don’t want to ghost each other mid-project

We’ve all been there. A friend texts you about a "fun little project" they’re working on. It’ll be “super casual,” “great exposure,” and “so up your alley.” Maybe they even throw in a Canva mood board and a Pinterest link that looks suspiciously expensive.

You know what’s missing?
Money. Actual money. The part where they offer to pay you.

Now, if you’re the friend in question, don’t panic. This isn’t a cancellation. It’s a friendly PSA from someone who has both begged for a favor and fumed while editing someone’s script for free on a Sunday.

Let’s talk about why paying your friends matters and how to handle money when you're collaborating with people you also send memes to at 1 a.m.