Monday, September 12, 2005

Never lend money

I guess I will have to become the evil mother-in-law. I really dont have a choice. My son-in-law asked to borrow some money so he could by some dress clothes for his new position as a newspaper publisher. Coming from small town reporting and editing he's now a publisher. A nice step up indeed. Obviously he needs to look the part. I was happy to help since he's moving up in the world. So, I kept the 3 children for nearly a month from the end of May to the middle of June. When he called to ask me for money, he made the usual promise of paying it all back. He's only paid 1/3 of it. I really dont look forward to asking for my money back. But I guess I'll be turning into the evil mother-in-law. Shame on me for being a lender. Remiinds me of the old saying about neither a lender nor borrower be. Once again I have trusted people, and been disappointed. I'll be thinking really hard about helping people in the future. Just goes to show, dont lend to family.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. Proverbs 22:7

Annake said...

I feel your pain. I had the same problem with two of my sisters. They thought I was their personal piggy bank because I was living with my parents at the time. I could take a luxury cruise around the world with the money I "loaned" them - if I had ever gotten it back. I finally had to cut them off or I wouldn't have a dime to my name today. Sometimes you just have to be mean. It sucks being taken advantage of.

Kate said...

My mother always told me, "Never lend to anybody what you wouldn't be willing to give them as a gift". In other words, if you're going to lend someone money, don't lend more than you're willing to not get back, and think of such loans as a gift. That way, if you don't get repaid, you're not angry or disappointed.

Anonymous said...

Never lend any money unless you get a signed promissory note with a set payment schedule, also stating that if the lendee does not conform, they understand you will pursue repayment in court.

And what Kate said!