Making the transition from being the struggling one to the more successful one can be difficult, too. “It’s a double-edged sword,” says Jade, 36. “While it’s relieving to be free from past financial strains, it has also introduced new complexities into my relationships. When discussing activities, holidays or even personal purchases, I have to be mindful of how these might be perceived by friends who earn significantly less, trying to avoid inadvertently causing discomfort or envy.”

One feeling Jade comes up against often is guilt. “Especially when I reflect on friends who are still struggling with issues I once faced,” she says. Recently, though, she ended up walking away from one friendship altogether because the person kept expecting her to foot the bill for everything. “There was an instance where we were going on a trip together, and I willingly covered the costs for our accommodation and the majority of the food bill for the week. But they reacted quite badly after realising I hadn’t paid for an upgrade to their plane seat or the fees for their luggage in the hold. It made me feel like she was only ever spending time with me for my money.”

Of course, changing one’s financial situation takes time. But if you want to maintain your friendships amid major financial differences, you’re going to have to be willing to put in the work sooner rather than later. “Earning significantly more or less can cause issues in friendships due to jealousy, resentment, and differences in lifestyle,” says Dr Becky Spelman, psychologist and founder at Private Therapy Clinic. “It can create an obvious divide if one friend is flaunting their wealth and create difficulty relating to different financial concerns, leading to a disconnect.”

In order to overcome it, Dr Spelman suggests comparing your situation to theirs as little as possible. “Think of your own accomplishments and strengths because there is a lot more to life than money,” she says. “Talk to your friends about your feelings, too, and this will hopefully be met with understanding and support.”

It can also be useful to remember there are plenty of ways you can connect with your friends that don’t involve spending any money. “If you’re worried that social occasions are going to be out of your budget, offer to make the plans,” suggests counsellor Georgina Sturmer. “Be upfront about the budget that you’d like everyone to stick to. You might find that other people appreciate this too. After all, even if we earn different amounts, the ‘cost of living’ crisis is hitting us all in one way or another.”

As silly season gets underway, this is sage advice to bear in mind – and something I tried out myself recently. When one friend, who works in finance, suggested booking a villa for a summer holiday that would cost £900 each for the week, I tackled it head on instead of exiting the chat. I messaged her separately, nervously asking if we could look at cheaper alternatives – she immediately apologised before sending far more affordable options to everyone. These conversations might be difficult to have, but you might be heartened by how your friends respond when you initiate them.

After all, people can always surprise you.

“There’s a huge ‘wealth gap’ in my friendships. It’s hard not to feel resentful this time of year”