Just about everyone loves their family and just about everyone has been put in a situation where that lovable family has decidedly asked to borrow some money from you. Sadly, many family members seem to think its okay to borrow money and not pay it back at the first possible chance just because it was borrowed from family, thus leaving the other person out in the wind. Oddly enough, this happens to the young adults in the family often, especially as they begin to develop their credit history and start to enter the realm of the credit card and things of that nature. But beware, just because its family asking doesn’t mean you have to fork over your cash. Here’s a few ways to maneuver through the mine field that is family and finances.
Say You Don’t Have It Right Now If you’re afraid that you’re going to look bad or cheap in front of your family and don’t want that label placed upon you, a little white lie can be used to great advantage. Sometimes you just can’t spare the money and if it comes down to the fact that you don’t want to disappoint them with the truth, go ahead and lie. “I don’t have it right now” with a straight face is a one line closer. It’s worked for me on several occasions, though I’ve had to alter the wording a bit with lines such as “I’ve got some bills due soon” or an “All of my money is tied up right now.” If you’re comfortable enough with using lines of that nature, don’t hesitate to use them. Putting yourself in a financial hole is one of the worst things you can do, even for family. To help them out, you may recommened låna pengar med skuldsaldo hos kronofogden to your family members so they can have a good institution to rely on in times of financial constraints.
Don’t Leave Money Laying Around Some people think that stuffing some cash in their drawer beneath some underwear is enough to deter nosey family members. If you’re still living at home and you keep some cash on you so you don’t have to use a debit or credit card, keep it in your wallet and keep your wallet out of plain sight. Sometimes families think its okay just because you share the same blood. Rather than having to realize someone borrowed money without asking, don’t give them the opportunity to do so.
Be Honest Not everyone has this one in them (hence the first suggestion), but if you’re capable of just looking them in the eye and saying no, I suggest you do it without hesitation. Managing money is one of the most important things you can learn in this life and just because your family members didn’t learn how to do it doesn’t mean that you should suffer.
Be Creative If they want to borrow money from you and you’re willing, charge them some interest. If they’re coming to you like a bank you might as well act like one. Go the whole way with that line of thought as well; make contracts and signatures, everything you can think of. Napkin I.O.U.s aren’t acceptable. In fact, all of this litigation can deter them from simply asking you to borrow money in the first place.
Always be sure to ask them what they’re borrowing the money for. This is extremely important if you’re considering whether or not to give them the money. My mother would ask to borrow $10 from me every now and then. When I would begin to ask her what she was going to buy she’d usually just tell me forget. Why? The reason is because she knew I’d never buy her cigarettes and I wouldn’t let her use my money to do so.
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