have you ever borrowed money to someone?

Question

that wouldn't pay it back. What did you end up doing about it?

Answer 1

Won't help you this time, I'm afraid, but if you lend money again why not agree at the outset when and how the money will be repaid (eg a regular standing order for £x for x months until the loan is cleared).

For the moment, all you can do is speak to the person concerned, if possible face to face - awkward as it may be, it's harder for him/her to ignore you, whereas voicemails, texts and e-mails can be cheerfully deleted!

Good luck.

Answer 2

Yes.....never saw it again. I shared an apartment with my best friend several years ago and I paid way more than half the bills because she promised she'd pay me back. We had an electric bill almost go to collections because she kept "forgetting" to pay it. I only found out after we had moved out and the electric company forwarded the 4th notice to my new address instead of to hers.

This is why I won't mix money matters with family or friends. Too many times, you see a friendly loan end up on Judge Judy. If a friend is truly having money problems, I'll make a grocery run or pay one of their bills as a gift instead of loaning them cash.

If the person won't pay you back, you have a choice: pursue the money matter and lose the friendship or cut your losses and keep your friend. It depends on your own financial situation as well and whether or not you can afford to lose the money.

Financial matters are some of the most sensitive areas for a person and it can be difficult to approach a friend about money. If you loan a friend money, you sometimes feel that you have a right to barge into their financial matters. It's frustrating when a friend owes you but seems to be wasting money on stupid things instead of paying you back. You almost feel like you have a right to tell them how to spend their money because you have an interest in getting your money back.

I'd start by asking for the money back. If the person can't pay it back right away, negotiate a payment plan IN WRITING and have both parties sign it. If the "friend" refuses to pay you back, all you can really do is take the person to court. If the amount is under $5000, you would go to small claims court where you don't need a lawyer.

Edit: to all the people jumping all over the phrase "borrow money to". Yes, the traditional usage is that you borrow from or loan to. However, "borrow to" is a regional phrase that I've heard many times. It's just one of those colorful regional variations.

Answer 3

No, and neither has ANYONE else. I have LOANED money to people, but you can only borrow FROM someone. I only loan money I don't EXPECT to get back, so I didn't do anything about it.

To TaxGurl: 'Borrow To' violates the definition of the word borrow. Regional use or not, it is NOT proper English. If we surrender the language, we can't have a meaningful conversation.

Answer 4

I had loaned some money which wasn't much.it was to a co-worker at work. It was only a couple of dollars. after I had loan it to this person. Other co-workers said you can kiss that money goodbye because he does not pay back.So as time pasted it might have been hitting below the belt. But I shamed him into it and how I did that was we were working in a group,and out of nowhere I picked out a person in the group other then Dennis who was the person that did not pay back.And what I did was pulled out my wallet and said Chip did u say that u wanted to barrow a couple of bucks.In which he really didn't. And before he could answer I said But I want it back,not like some people like Dennis over there he meaning Dennis pulled out his wallet and payed me off.He never asked again. In fact he never talk to me again. Which was fine by me.

Answer 5

Is it a large amount of money? Is the person your friend? Try casualy saying "hey the money you borrowed from me a while ago, well I need it to buy a few things" Its hard to do but pretty much the only way to get your money back! Good luck!

Answer 6

Borrowed from or lent to?

I guess you lent money to someone, without knowing how much and who to it's a bit difficult to say, as not every situation is to be treated the same.

It happens to most people, usually only the once, learn your lesson and don't lend again.

Edit: "Borrow to" may be a regional saying, but that just means the whole region is illiterate! Which region is this as I've never heard it, is it up north?

Answer 7

yep plenty of times..
the most annoying thing is when you lend money to someone you do it from the goodness of your heart,the other person ends up taking advantage of your good nature,then its gets embarrasing when you have too keep asking for it back,its like borrowing the money back of them!!

Answer 8

As in LENT money to someone? Yes, once, a girl who used to work for me. I lent her about £500 to save her getting evicted, then I heard that she'd been telling everyone I would never get it back - she thought I somehow owed her something! Anyway, I did the good old-fashioned thing - I went to her house and threated her. It worked, I got the money and I have never helped anyone with money since ( unless you count my kids, who are forever poncing!).

Answer 9

Well it was only like a fiver but whenever i asked they'd just go oh yeah...i'll give it to you later. When i asked again, oh i dont have it. I sked about 20 times. I just gave up and i am never lending them money again.

Answer 10

I don't understand how you can borrowed money to someone, do you mean they borrowed from you, or you leant them money.

If you do mean that then just ask for it back, if not then bring them to the small claims court