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How do you feel about helping family members with debt?

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  • #31
    He's living with parents until the debt is paid off. I don't know what his income is exactly, but it's not enough for him to get a place of his own
    I'm still thinking about whether or not I can give freely. I think I might get a head start on my 2010 taxes and see if I'll owe anything to Uncle Sam next April ... if so, there's my decision ...

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    • #32
      Originally posted by jaine View Post
      He's living with parents until the debt is paid off. I don't know what his income is exactly, but it's not enough for him to get a place of his own
      I guess we (or at least I) really can't comment any more on the situation with your brother without knowing the details. How old is he? How much does he earn? What is all the debt from? Stuff like that. Maybe helping him get started in life isn't such a bad idea if he is on the right track. I just worry, as I've expressed, that he may not be or that the handouts are enabling him rather than empowering him. From what you've posted, it sounds like you don't know the details either. If that's true, I'd suggest you ask some questions and find out before just blindly handing over money that you may regret giving later when you learn more. It isn't worth wrecking your relationship with your brother.
      Steve

      * Despite the high cost of living, it remains very popular.
      * Why should I pay for my daughter's education when she already knows everything?
      * There are no shortcuts to anywhere worth going.

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      • #33
        [QUOTE]
        Originally posted by jaine View Post
        A) I know, without a doubt, I would quit too, just like he did, if I started a new job and I didn't like it. I have done it in the past - there's the proof! A few years ago I started what I thought was going to be a software development job, it turned out to be a quality assurance job (basically a career dead end for me) so I quit soon after starting, without another job lined up. And that was in the middle of me trying to pay off some debt. Deja vu. It worked out just fine BTW ... I got another job and paid off the debt.
        This I have a problem with. Not liking a job is no excuse to quit it when you need income. It is one thing to be abused on a job and quit, but not liking it just means you keep looking while you pay the bills. IMO, this is no economy to be choosey in.

        A few years ago, my brother got fired for a bad work ethic and attitude(which I fired him for once). After learning this, his wife quit her job the next day. They soon ran up their CC's and filled BK. Neither had to be without an income.

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        • #34
          [QUOTE=maat55;261837]
          This I have a problem with. Not liking a job is no excuse to quit it when you need income.
          Having done just that, I suppose I have to disagree. However, I always use my experience as an example of the benefits of living below your means and having a fully-funded EF. That allowed me to quit a job where I was unhappy and not have to worry about how I was going to feed my family until I found another job.
          Steve

          * Despite the high cost of living, it remains very popular.
          * Why should I pay for my daughter's education when she already knows everything?
          * There are no shortcuts to anywhere worth going.

          Comment

          • #35
            [QUOTE=disneysteve;261839]
            Originally posted by maat55 View Post

            Having done just that, I suppose I have to disagree. However, I always use my experience as an example of the benefits of living below your means and having a fully-funded EF. That allowed me to quit a job where I was unhappy and not have to worry about how I was going to feed my family until I found another job.
            To me, it is not an option when you have to borrow to survive. You and I could get away with it due to our backup resources, the OP's brother has none.

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            • #36
              It would completely depend on the situation. It depends who it is, why they have money problems, whether I think they would be respoonsible with the money I gave them, and obviously whether or not I could afford to.

              I would certainly consider it if I was in a position to help.

              Comment

              • #37
                [QUOTE=maat55;261837]

                This I have a problem with. Not liking a job is no excuse to quit it when you need income. It is one thing to be abused on a job and quit, but not liking it just means you keep looking while you pay the bills. IMO, this is no economy to be choosey in.

                A few years ago, my brother got fired for a bad work ethic and attitude(which I fired him for once). After learning this, his wife quit her job the next day. They soon ran up their CC's and filled BK. Neither had to be without an income.
                I'm with Steve on this one ... there are plenty of situations where leaving a job is a good idea. The job I quit would have been a career dead end for me. I had $10K in cash and could have supported myself for several months, but the job search only lasted a week. Quitting that job was one of the best decisions I ever made because it allowed me to find my way to my current job, which I love.

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                • #38
                  Originally posted by jaine View Post

                  I'm with Steve on this one ... there are plenty of situations where leaving a job is a good idea. The job I quit would have been a career dead end for me. I had $10K in cash and could have supported myself for several months, but the job search only lasted a week. Quitting that job was one of the best decisions I ever made because it allowed me to find my way to my current job, which I love.
                  Having reserve funds gives you options, not having them only leads you to borrow.

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                  • #39
                    My sister is a single mother of a teenager who is out of control. Both of them have no clue as to what a budget is and are always in trouble with money. She owns her own home has an old car and credit card debt. In the middle of winter her car froze up. It had finally died.
                    Up to that point there was no way I was giving her or her daughter anything but direction to clena up their act. When her car died, I felt i had to step in and get her some proper wheels. If I hadn't she may havew lost her house and would have had no choice but to live on thestreets or move in to my moms house. In otherwords her wreckless lifestyle would have affected our entire family more than the three grand it cost me to buy her a car that would last and keep her out of my moms house or on the street.

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                    • #40
                      Hi,

                      I've helped some members of my family; however others did not want to take any advice on debt elimination. It boils down to a pride issue and personalities. I'd take a soft approach and ask to let me know if I can help. They'll get back to you if they're serious about helping themselves out.

                      I hope this helps..

                      Denise
                      Eliminating Debt, Cures Offering Quick And Clear Solutions To Get Out Of Owing

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