From group chat to getaway: how to fund your girls' trip without the money drama

If you’ve ever tried to plan a girls’ trip, you know the real struggle isn’t picking the destination; it’s actually getting out of the group chat.

One week, everyone’s talking Paris, the next it’s Bali, and by the time you finally agree on dates, someone’s already dropped out because “it’s just too expensive right now”.

But what if the money side of travel didn’t have to feel like a constant buzzkill?

What if you could skip the endless “Who’s paying for dinner?” debates and finally make those getaway plans stick? That’s exactly what one viral TikTok is teaching groups of friends worldwide: create a shared travel fund that quietly builds in the background until vacation time rolls around.

The TikTok hack that changed everything

On August 17, Australian event planner and entrepreneur Kim Brindell shared her genius solution: open a shared bank account with your travel crew.

Each of her six friends transfers just $20 AUD a week (about R230) into the account, and by the time their trip comes around, they’ve got thousands ready to spend on flights, hotels, dinners, and even the occasional private chef.

“We were spending hours over breakfast at the end of every trip, trying to figure out who owed who what,” Brindell told “Bustle”. “It was exhausting. So one of us suggested a shared account, and before we even left the café, it was open.”

The first time they tried it, they saved over $2,600 for their annual trip, so there was less stress about money and more time for fun.

Since then, they’ve used the fund for trips to Adelaide’s wineries, Noosa’s beaches, and even treated themselves to things they wouldn’t have bought if they were splitting every bill.

Why does this trick work better than just splitting bills?

Money is often the elephant in the room when it comes to travel. A 2022 study by Bankrate found that 52% of Americans have fought with friends or partners over shared travel costs. And experts agree that this tension can make or break a holiday.

“Pooling money in advance is one of the smartest ways to eliminate stress on group trips,” says financial wellness coach Farnoosh Torabi.

“It turns budgeting from a reactive process into a proactive one, so you spend time enjoying the trip instead of keeping score.”

Brindell’s group made the system simple: one trusted friend holds the card, and everyone contributes via direct deposit. Screenshots of the balance are shared for transparency, and if someone can’t contribute for a while, the group chips in to cover.

“It’s made us more likely to actually take the trip,” Brindell says. “The account grows quietly in the background, so when the time comes, the money is there. No excuses, no last-minute panic.”

From group chat to the airport

So how do you put this hack into practice for your own crew? Here’s the playbook:

1. Pick a weekly number everyone agrees on. Start small — $5, $10, or $20. The point is consistency, not breaking the bank.

2. Open a joint account or digital wallet. Some groups use traditional banks, while others prefer fintech apps like Revolut or Monzo that allow shared “pots.”

3. Nominate one person as the treasurer. This avoids too many cooks in the kitchen, but keep communication open with regular screenshots.

4. Plan with sales in mind. Brindell’s group sets price alerts and books flights during off-peak sales, stretching their pooled savings even further.

5. Enjoy whatever’s left over. Any money you don’t use goes toward your next trip, so your yearly vacation can actually become a tradition instead of just a dream.

Beyond the practical side, Brindell says the shared account has deepened their friendships. Most of the women met in high school 20 years ago, and between careers, kids, and different cities, it wasn’t always easy to prioritise each other.

“Having this fund forces us to keep the tradition alive,” she explains. “It’s not just about saving money. It’s about making sure we keep showing up for each other.”

Travel psychologists back this up.

According to a 2023 report in the “Journal of Travel Research”, group travel strengthens social bonds and improves overall life satisfaction, particularly for women juggling multiple roles at once.

So the next time you and your girls start tossing vacation ideas around in the group chat, don’t let it die there. Take a cue from Brindell and set up a system that turns wishful thinking into boarding passes.

Because let’s be honest, the margarita tastes better when you’re not calculating who owes whom for the chips and salsa.