Do I owe my friend $100?

Question

I was out with a friend and she gave me a $100 bill to hold for her, because she said she was too drunk and would spend it on more drinks.

I tried to return the money (exact saem $100 bill) on Thanksgiving, but she said she didn't have any pockets and she'd get it from me at the end of the night. She forgot, and so did I.

About 2 weeks later, the $100 bill was stolen from my purse - I'm pretty sure by a guy who was in my apartment with my roommate. Either way, the money is gone. Do I still owe her $100?

I am a student and very broke - I don't EVER have $100 to spend on anything.

Yes, I kicked out the roommate after the incident (there were other problems too.)

Update: We talked about it and she doesn't expect the money back. She says it's her fault she didn't take it from me when she should have. Also $100 is more to me than to her. (Her dad is $$.)

Answer 1

I don't think so. You tried to return it to her. It's not your fault it was stolen from your purse; after all, you're not a bank. She should have gotten it back from you as soon as she could, and not assumed that it would be secure in your purse. It's not as if you went out and spent it!

Answer 2

You don't "owe" her anything. You did not borrow the money. She asked you to safeguard it. It could just as easily have been stolen from her as it was you.

What if she left some jewelry at your apartment and said she would pick it up next week and then it got stolen. Would you "owe" her the jewelry? No.

She should ask your former roommate to collect the money from her friend. And next time, tell her not to carry around that much cash that she doesn't plan to spend.

By the way, if it was over 2 weeks since you tried to return it and she still didn't ask for it, she must not have needed it that much. You on the other hand, as you said, don't have that much extra cash all the time. She should not expect you to pay for her lack of foresight.

Answer 3

Yes, you should try to reimburse the $100. Do you have a part-time job or family that can loan you $100? If you have a part-time job, try to save your money and gradually give it back to your friend. If a family member can loan you $100, then it would be easier to pay back. You could reimburse your family member you borrowed from with cash or by doing some sort of labor for them or both.

Whenever I get in an uncontrollable situation or my family does, I borrow or loan them money. We always fully reimburse each other, even if it takes a couple months.

P.S. Does she know that you lost the $100?

Answer 4

Yes, you took responsibility for it and then had your purse out of your sight when it got stolen. Not her fault. Sorry. Your financial circumstances are not the point here. You owe it to her. Try a payment plan of $10 a week or per pay or something.

Answer 5

yes you do own her $100 because she didn't give the money to you she asked you to take care of it for her. If I were you, after this experience if someone ask me to look after their money I wouldn't do it. Also not returning the money might make you look bad in her eyes and explaining to her that her money was stolen is even worse. The best thing to do is try to save up the money and give it back to her eventually. Don't give it to her seperatly because she might not accept it. And just rememeber she might not ask you to return the money but she would probably remember it because the money was such a huge sum.

Answer 6

Yup- you are. It was in your possession. You say your broke, but if she is your friend (and you want to stay friends) tell her the truth!
If $100 is too much to pay at one time for you, tell her you want to pay her, but would $5 a week be ok? (or $10- whatever) Just make good.
I would then tell your roommate that they guy who you think stole it, isn't allowed over unless your bedroom is locked (which it should be) or that she cant have friends over while you're not there if she not going to responsible and watch her guests! I'd be more upset with my roommate! (if that's what indeed happened)

Answer 7

Sorry, but yes I say you owe her the hundred. I know it sucks and feels bad but think about it...You had it in your possession.It's not her fault or your's that it was stolen but by you hanging onto it for her you accepted responsibility for it.
If she has any class she should step up and offer to split the difference with you ... I doubt she would though ... as much as it's going to hurt, pay her the money. You my friend have learned an expensive and valuable lesson.

Answer 8

first of all you are paying double, yes you owe her the money because you didn't stand up to her and tell her that you would not accept responsibility for her money, and the second time when an untrustworthy person stole it from you. If you are not prepared to repay for some thing, then never accept it in the first place, sorry those were costly lessons, but well learnd I am sure

Answer 9

You should tell her what happened and then see what she says. While you should have been more careful with your purse it's also not your job to be her personal bank and to hold onto things for her especially if she is just going to forget about it. I would pay her because you did lose her money but I would also, in the future, let her know that you won't be responsible for her things anymore and that she needs to be responsible for them herself.

Answer 10

If she's a good friend she may not expect you to pay it back, since it wasn't your fault. It is a lot of money though, so I would just be honest with her and make sure she knows what happened, and then leave it up to her. Good luck!