To Do

Updated March 21, 2010

This is on my list because when I was in big financial trouble, friends stepped in a loaned money to me with no questions asked and it was such a huge help.

There are two situations where you’d need to borrow money from friends or family – first, when there’s a temporary situation like a broken-down car or a roof leak that you can’t quite cover with your cash on hand, but that you’ll be able to easily pay back over the next couple of months. Second, when you’re in big trouble and though the money is a big help, there’s no hope in the foreseeable future of you actually being able to pay the money back.

Perhaps when loaning money to friends and family, it’s best not to expect it back, to just make it a gift and hope for the best. Don’t loan out money to family and friends that you can’t afford to lose. Don’t loan out the money you need to pay the rent next week and expect it to come back to you. Do what you can to help friends and family out when they’re in a rut and expect them to do the same for you when you’re stuck in a bad spot.

It happens to all of us, sooner or later, anyway.