Mixing friends and money: A recipe for disaster, but when will we learn?

Mixing friends and money: A recipe for disaster, but when will we learn?

One of the most frustrating feelings in the world has got to be lending a friend money, waiting for the return of said cash, and then watching them live their best lives whilst you save every penny.

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Rihanna said it best with 'Pay me what you owe me'... but it's easier said by her than me.

Read: Rihanna and DJ Khaled's electrifying Grammys performance

The thought of asking people to return my money makes me cringe. Surely you should know when you need to pay someone back without having to be asked? One would think, right? Wrong! This is an evil cycle that none of us seem to learn from. 

I’ve got a friend who borrowed some money from Mr T and I a few years ago. She was really battling and needed a few thousand to pay school fees for her little one. 

Read: Lending money to friends: What are the rules and terms of repayment?

At the time, we were in a position to help her out. We were close friends so we thought that it would be okay and she would eventually pay us back.

Well, fast forward to three years later and we are yet to get the money back. We’ve never brought it up because for some reason we have blind faith that she’s going to make the situation right eventually... 

Read: Men or women: Who's better at saving money?

What I am concerned about is that every weekend we can see on her Instagram that she’s living a lifestyle that suggests she's not poor. Now what do we do? 

Do we risk ruining the friendship by asking her for the money back, or do we just shut our mouths and pretend like there's nothing wrong? 

Have you ever been in this sort of situation? Please help!

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