[Lonesome in Massachussets]

I never made an issue out of it. On subsequent attempts to “borrow” money, I declined, but would offer a gift, often for the full amount. There's some kind of strange [female? I dunno] psychology involved, where if I “lend” her money, she has no (serious) intention of ever paying it back, and I am a bad guy if I ever mention it, but she will flat out refuse a gift in the same amount. I suppose calling it a “loan” lets her retain some kind of odd pride.

[SamAdams76]

My kids are a different matter but with respect to friends and other family members, I have a strict policy of not lending them money. The old saying is true that when you lend money to friends, you lose both the money and the friend. It can be tough saying no but I’ve never lost a friend because I didn’t loan them money.