The "forgetful" borrower. Don't be surprised when you lend money to a cousin or your favorite uncle and you never get it back.If you lend money to a family member, consider it a gift. Family members are usually the worst when it comes to repaying a loan. So when Christmas comes around and they find an empty box under the tree, say Christmas came early—when you “lent†them $200 earlier in the year.
We've all had our share of money grubbers, leeches, moochers, scrubs, and plain ol' deadbeats. Here's the Deadbeat Hall of Shame for those slimy money drainers that you must avoid at all costs. more
The gold digger. Sure, your new love is cute, but if your wallet is always lighter after spending time together, you might want to reconsider your choice. If all you get are requests for gifts, vacations, and rent/mortgage payments, you might want to show your honey the door. "Let me hold something" isn't the same as "I love you."more
The uninvited house guest. Sometimes an unexpected guest is delightful but most of the time it’s incredibly annoying. If you have a “guest†who constantly invites themselves over, stays for days, and eats all your food, stop being polite and say something. Or put a padlock on your refrigerator door. They’ll get the picture.more
The check dodger. Every time you go out to eat, your friend offers to split the check. But when the check comes around, she claims she’s short on cash and she’ll pay you back the next time. She’s just like Lynn from the TV show Girlfriends, who had more than her fair share of free lunches at her friends’ expense. The solution? Ask the waiter for separate checks. If that’s not possible, cancel your next lunch date. Maybe she’ll get the picture and pick up the tab next time--but don’t hold your breath. more
The child-support evader. Unlike the other deadbeats, you might not want to avoid this one. You’ll want to be hot on the trail of an ex who refuses to financially support his children. Do everything in your power to legally get your money. And if you're dating someone who doesn't pay child support, rethink that choice. If your partner can't (or won't) take care of his kids, what makes you think he's going to take care of you? It may be only a matter of time before he tries to hit you up for a loan. Don't cast your pearls before swine. more
The perpetual fund raiser. Everyone has one: the co-worker or neighbor who constantly raises money for her son’s basketball team. (The kids need new sneakers, new uniforms, and now they need a pair of back-up sneakers to match their new warm-up suits.)Once, maybe even twice, is understandable. But three strikes and you’re out. How many candy bars could you possibly eat? (OK, don’t answer that.) When the donation box comes around, politely decline. If the culprit is your neighbor, close the blinds and pretend you're not home. more
The "forgetful" borrower. Don't be surprised when you lend money to a cousin or your favorite uncle and you never get it back.If you lend money to a family member, consider it a gift. Family members are usually the worst when it comes to repaying a loan. So when Christmas comes around and they find an empty box under the tree, say Christmas came early—when you “lent†them $200 earlier in the year.more