When a friend or a family member asks you for money you can be faced with a delicate situation. Thinking it is your duty to help that person, sometimes you end up hurting yourself. Try, when you can’t resist a close person, to analyze first all the data of the problem.
1. Analyze with you heart and mind
Look at the situation with the objectivity of a bank, combined with the sympathy you feel for a friend. If your heart and head agree you probably are not making a mistake helping him. If one of them tells you “No!” there is probably something wrong.
2. Consult with someone else
If a friend asks you for money, ask a third person and rely on his or hers objectivity, a person that can be another friend or a family member with a trusted intelligence.
3. Don’t be afraid to say no
Never hesitate to refuse someone if the situation involves too many risks. Search for other helping options for that person. Conduct the conversation in such a manner that your friend will understand you are refusing the request not the person that made it.
4. Lending equals giving a gift?
You can suggest to that person that, if his of hers financial situation improves in the future, you will be glad to get a present that would equal the money you lent to them.
5. For your safety, sign a contract.
When you are about to give away significant amounts of money, sign, each of you, a contract that settles the conditions and the return date of the money, and also their total amount.
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Good post! And I completely agree with you.
Now, I don’t easily lend money to friends. My reasons are found here: http://skilledwriter.wordpress.com/2008/09/08/personal-finances-do-you-lend-money-to-friends/
Lending money to friends had caused me lots of heartaches and animosity. Now I’ve learned my bitter lesson. When my friends are in need and I have money to spare, I just give them what I can afford without expecting any payment in return.
It’s the only way I know for me to be at ease.