Rules to Follow When Lending Money to Friends andFamily

 

借钱给家人和朋友的法则

 

Only Say Yes if You Mean It

 

想借再借

 

 

If you feel guilt-tripped into making the loan by the asker （"I'm desperate！"）or you question your own hesitation （"I must be a bad person or I wouldn't feel conflicted"）, then turn her down, says Levine.

 

 

If you do cough up the cash when you aren't sure youwant to, you risk feeling resentful, and that can cripple the relationshipbefore it's even time for her to repay you. Not going through with the loan doesn't make you selfish or a bad friend; the response may actually protecty our bond, she adds.

 

 

Levine suggests graciously declining with a sentimentlike, "I'd really like to help, but I don't have the extra money to loan rightnow. If you feel like you need to explain further, mention an unexpectedexpense you were recently hit with, such as higher health insurance premiums,or something you have to save for, like your kids' college education.

 

 

Offering to help brainstorm other sources for theloan or ways to bring down her debt （if that's the situation）can be a thoughtful nextmove. A true friend or relative will be willing to accept no and then thank youfor any additional help. If she doesn’t, better thatyour relationship sours before you've forked over any funds.