Never loan money to anyone you know, it always causes problems down the line, intentional or not. :( It sucks to learn it the hard way, esp. when you are just trying to help someone in dire need.

Actually I have borrowed from family in the past and paid back as agree upon-faster in fact. Both times the amount was upwards of $1500 and was paid back fast.

Yes there is a risk of getting burned, but it doesn't always happen.

Yeah, there have been some times when I was err...ripped off by some friends and family. Hell, I have this "friend" who tries to take me for a ride every time I see him, even though he knows how bad my financial situation truly is. Needless to say, I have been trying to avoid said "friend" for a while now...and my wallet is a little bit greener as a result.

My philosophy when it comes to lending to family, is that if I can't afford to lose it, I won't lend it. I seldom lend because I know I may not be repaid, especially if I am percieved to be doing well financially.

The only family I have lent money to is my son.One son will pay back the other one who lives at home will not. He is always short to make his bills but I never expect it back, anyway it would be nice to get a chance to turn down the offer of repayment.

I have been lucky on this count. I have loaned countless times to my brother after he got married . Every time he has paid me back as promised. Although we never really discussed a time limit , it was understood that whenever he is in a position to pay me back , he would and I have no complains , but I know there are some people who never pay back small loans they get from family or relatives.

when we were first married we borrowed a couple of times and ALWAYS paid back...i too have loaned money, but found out quickly that i had to learn to be well not so nice about it...and set up a specified time when i could expect to receive it back, and agreed BEFORE that if i didn't have my money back by then i would ASK for it or an explaination every time i saw them...and i did...just a quick, ''hey, you didn't make your promised payment what's up with that?" and i didn't care who heard...didn't take long to get my money back...this relative has borrowed many times, but after the first time, i've never had to remind them or ask again...it's uncomfortable enough, and when you have someone (like me) who will ''call you'' on it...even more uncomfortable (for me too)...so that has been my strategy, and has worked thus far...but again in the beginning before i handed over the money, i told them i would do this...

I remember a quote saying: "If you want to lose a friend, lend him your money."

I guess this is true to friends and families. It happens because those relatives of ours who are borrowing always think that we can understand them and they could lengthen the period of paying back, oftentimes not paying back anymore. I can lend money to my relatives but only the amount that I am willing to forget.

I try to never loan money to family. It never really ends well, even if you do get paid back. Sometimes it is just too awkward too.

I had a family member take me to court for harassment because I asked for MY $500 and bicycle back. She borrowed the $500 because she needed it to keep her car from being reposessed. Well, that didn't work so I loaned her my bike to go back and forth to work.

She buys another car eventually but never returns the $500 nor the bike she borrowed. After she had the money and bike for about 18 months, I finally asked when she was going to give them back. She stormed out of the house, disgusted ... the nerve of me asking for MY stuff back.

Well, 3 days later, the sheriff shows up and says I have to come to court for a harassment charge. Whoa! She eventually dropped the charge but still hasn't returned any of the borrowed items. NEVER loan anything you need or care about to family!