Yes, it's harder as we get older....and I totally agree with you about not wanting to have friends just for sake of having some people around...that's why I call these people just people that I know!
However, I have that desire of having a best friend as I used to have....
Last week one of the girls who I knew had texted me that she wants to see me this Saturday for coffee....It's been two years since the last time I've seen her....I thought she has an agenda....She usually contacts when she wants to sell some products....I was wondering what it is this time since she can't hold any proper job and she's moving from one occupation to another....Guess what? I was right...She showed up on Saturday....She told me she's taking some financial courses to be a financial adviser and she wanted to hook me up with that too....

I though...

OMG...you are not a friend...you just see me as a customer opportunity...and at top of that...I was thinking why should I trust you with my finances since it looks like that I'm smarter than you....

I told her I take care of my finances by myself and I have enough resources on the internet to do my research....besides....stock is bad....interest rates are not good....what do you want to sell me then? and I was thinking if she sees a big loser on my head?

Yes, unfortunately when we get older, people who want to be our friends are looking at us as a future customers more than just a friend!