What does the distant friend cost from age 30 to 65?
The Distant Friend
One visit, every three years, until 65 — the long-term cost is 23 weekends.
How the number's built.
We assume we will stay in touch and make the trip next season, letting travel logistics defer the plan. But visiting once every three years instead of annually means missing 23 shared weekends over thirty-five years, letting a key connection thin into memory.
One visit a year, not three.
23 weekends recovered.
No rush. It keeps until you want it.
scheduling one visit every year instead of every three years
adds 0.67 visit / year
× 35 years = 23 visits recovered
1 target visit / year
0.33 actual visit / year = 0.67 missed / year
× 35 years = 23 total visits missed
The cost of postponed travel to visit friends
Last reviewed: May 2026.
An estimate built for reflection — not financial, medical, or legal advice. The figures follow the assumptions above.