"My family uses me for money and I want it to stop now!"
As a family member, you're expected to be supportive and lend a helping hand wherever possible, but there is a fine line between helping and being taken advantage of.
Listen to this man's voice note about being used by his family for money, or read the details under the podcast.
When it comes to family, you can't help but want to lend a helping hand wherever you can, but you shouldn't be made to feel pressurised to help, right?
It gets tough to say 'no' when a family member asks for help. For some, there's a level of guilt that sets in when you're asked to assist, but you don't know how to put a stop to it. It becomes increasingly difficult when it becomes a habit and especially when the help involves financial assistance.
READ: 'We're drowning in debt but my husband sends money to his brother'
A colleague of mine told me that his cousin only communicates with him when he needs airtime. When he decided to put a stop to it, the cousin got upset and said that he "mustn't forget his family".
A man who is stuck in a similar situation sent me a voicenote, but instead of airtime, he feels used and abused by his family for money. He told me that it's been happening for the past two years, but now he wants to break the cycle.
Helping now and then is not the issue, it becomes problematic when it starts becoming a habit. After all, you should be able to take care of yourself without leaning on your family for help, right?
ALSO: If you found money at the ATM, what would you do?
How do you think this man should address this situation? How can he stop being his family's cash cow? Share your advice below.