Fumus--The strategy on collecting your buddies money is to flat out tell them you need this ammount now or you cant go, tell them you are not a bank and that you cant afford to pay for everyones trip, if this doesnt light the fire under there A$! then I dunno what will. Dont let them be dead beats, you are in the same boat as I am however I laid it out for my buds from the get go, when I call and say I need X amount of $$ by this date and you cant pay it you cant come, I got all my money the day I sent out the "idle" threat!