Money Manners: 'How do I split Christmas travel costs with my siblings?'

Money Manners is Honey Money's weekly column that deals with money etiquette matters that can be the cause of many an awkward encounter.

Submit your Money Manners questions to Jo Abi at jabi@nine.com.au

This week's question comes via a 9honey reader who is about to take a festive road trip with their siblings.

Dilemma: 'How do I split Christmas travel costs with my siblings?'

My two older brothers and I are driving home for Christmas. It's about a four-hour drive and we usually take my car.

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It costs a lot of money in petrol and tolls, and even though the say they will give me petrol money they never do. And after we've arrived for Christmas, the last thing I want to do is ask for money.

Sometimes they'll buy me food along the way, but that's not enough to make up for the cost of petrol.

I drive back home by myself because they stay longer than me but still, it does annoy me that they don't actually give me some money and they pay to return home.

What should I do?

Advice: 'You sort it before you even start driving'

Then, you put on the Christmas tunes. It's that simple.

"Hey guys, so let's split the petrol and toll costs. Can you each transfer $x before we leave? Thanks!"

And you go from there, with festive music playing along the way to easy any tension.

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Money is a tricky topic with family, but your siblings do seem to be taking advantage.

And petrol is so expensive at the moment. And they are your big brothers! They should definitely be contributing properly.

Buying each other food is just polite, and doesn't make up for the probably hundreds you spend on petrol.

I'm sure they'll just transfer without argument, so try and have a figure in mind for them, based on the approximate cost of petrol and how much you have paid previously.

Christmas is already expensive with gifts, not to mention travel.

Plus, you only have to have this conversation once because it will set a new precedent for future years. From now on, they'll just know to cough up before you even leave.

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