Putting a Price Tag on Friendship

Weary Parent is hosting a group writing project and contest on the topic of The best advice you received as a teen.

When it comes to advice I received as a teen, I have to say that my parents and grandparents trying to teach me to never loan money to friends or family is right at the top.

Although I never fully understood what they meant by…

“Never loan more than you can afford to lose”

or

“It’s like placing a price tag on your friendship”

…until my early twenties when I knew more then God and was going to live forever to pay off the debt I created then.

Boy was I wrong!

Over a three year period I created enough debt just by loaning money to friends or letting friends use my credit cards that they promised to pay the monthly payment on, that I was able to keep busy paying until my early thirties.

There were times when I was left to eat Mac and Cheese or Peanut Butter just to afford the bills these friends helped me create. And it hurt to know they cared so little about our friendship that they would let me live that way.

To this day, I will give what I have to give and what I can afford to lose. If the person ever does pay me back, it’s great. If not, then I’ve sacrificed very little.