What should I do about a friend owing me money?

Question

I bought one of my closest friends a plane ticket in August to attend a wedding. She moved across country last yr and her niece was getting married, we thought it would be a good time for all of us to hang out but she didn't have the $$ for flight. I offered to pay for half but she still has not paid anything.. She has two kids and is single which of course always lends itself to expenses, but I told her I NEEDED it. Now, she rarely is calling, only left a message saying she is depressed and having problems.. Oh, and working overtime! So with the O/T why can she not pay up? Would u all be mad?

Answer 1

You should never, ever lend money that you're aren't prepared to not get back.

Answer 2

Speaking from experience, never "lend" a friend money. Instead give them a gift. I made the mistake of lending a friend money once, 3 friends actually, and now neither of them has called or spoken to me in more than 4 years. I think because they feel they "Owe" something to me that the next time they speak with me, I will ask for it, hence they don't call. On the other hand if I was to give them a gift instead (like offer to buy the ticket out of the goodness of our friendship) I'm pretty sure that the calls wouldn't have stopped, we would have remained friends, and I probably would have received a "gift" in return some day. Bottom line, I wouldn't consider letting a financial strain burden a friendship again. I would help out a friend in need and expect one day they might return the favor, but if they don't, I still have their friendship.

In your case, if you need money, and you truly value your friendship with this person, look somewhere else for help. Let this person know that you understand her tough financial situation but care more about your friendship and will seek help elsewhere.

On the other hand, I am assuming this is a friend worth having. It could very well be that this is just a dishonest person with not a single ounce of integrity (then I'd say fight to get what you are owed anyway possible) - but only you can make that analysis. Good luck.

Answer 3

Be very well mannered and ask her if she forgot the money. Or Plan B ask her to purchase something you like and tell him/her that that way the money you owe could be nulled, or say after which you will owe me purely this plenty...or i visit owe you this plenty reckoning on the quantity. I wish you suggested how plenty does your chum owe. whether it fairly is a vast volume you're able to desire to ask for it...whether it fairly is a small volume purely think of it to be a piece of investment in friendship. Thirdly- attempt remembering in case you owed in previous too.

Answer 4

What part of single mother with two kids don't you understand?

Today's economics are hard on two income families.

I was taught something when my Great Grandpa was alive. He said never loan money. Always figure it for a gift. If it doesn't come back, you have not lost anything that you could not afford to spend. If it does come back you are both blessed.

Unless you want to never see someone again that can't afford to pay you back. Sometimes it is worth the investment.

Count your blessings and keep your friendship. Next time she can't afford something let it be. Or just pay and leave it alone.

Answer 5

I would be furious! You guys had an agreement, and she failed to keep it. You did her a favor by lending her money, and she took the opportunity to basically steal from you. Tell her that if you don't get the money back you will take it to small claims court. If she still doesn't return your money, get a lawyer and prepare to file a lawsuit. Try explaining to her that while you understand how difficult being a single mom can be, you really need her to pay you back, and it's not her money to keep.

Answer 6

I think you need to be stern and set a deadline with her to pay you back and if she does not pay you back you should give her up as a friend. If she pays you back later accept it and move on and remember how she couldn't help you out when you needed it back. When you go through this your friendship is really never the same.

Answer 7

well i hope you learned your lesson.dont lend money to friends.i have a few friends that owe me money.2 of them just will never pay me and one of them owes me upwards of 30,000.00.but i do have a few friends that i can lend money too that will pay me back.usually takes longer than they or i expected but they pay.i actually dropped a friend cuz he wont pay me but have recently started talking to him and hangin out with him again.friends are more important to me than money.i can live without money but cant live without my friends.

so write the money part off as a loss and lesson learnt and fix the friendship.you will eventually get paid back but it may not be money but something else you may need in the future.

Answer 8

It's only natural for you to be mad at her--you're in need too.

Yet, IF she really is as badly off as she says she is, and IF you can get by without the money she owes you, perhaps you could let her off the hook by voiding the debt. Just an idea...

"We are all here on earth to help others; what on earth the others are here for I don't know."
--W.H. Auden

Answer 9

Have patience as your good deed will end up repaid. Any who, let her know how much of a true friend you are and help her out in this time of need. Hold your head high and try to put yourself in her shoes. Live in the holiday spirit and hold your head high. take care..

Answer 10

IT looks like your "friend" is trying to keep leeching off of you as much as possible, and distancing herself so that she won't have to pay up. I would simply ask for the money politely, and then sever the friendship, whether or NOT she pays up.

Answer 11

No, I wouldn't be mad.
My friends have paid for stuff for me in the past, and I pay for things for them.
She will pay you back eventually, just don't push the subject.