Re: The Parent Trap
All my friends and family, I've always told them one simple thing. I will give and I will take, but I will never borrow or lend. No exceptions.
Obviously, in real life, I can't hold my axiom so absolutely, but I at least try to give people the impression that this is absolute.
It's very important to me that they understand this upfront because, as I'm sure we can all understand, this is a very slippery slope, and once we go down that path, it can be very hard to stop.
I also try to convey to others that money is strictly business, and as any other business, I will manage it with as much savvy as I can, and I too urge them to do the same. (It works especially well on guys because they also want to project an image of a savvy businessman.)
This isn't much advice though, because my parents have been rather financially savvy, and have never needed to ask me for anything. If anything, it's always been the other way around.
Still, if it's any consolation, I do sympathize. It must be a very difficult position to be in.
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