To have a rule not to lend money?

Never a borrower or a lender be!

and then block her

Myself and my best friend never ever spoke about money. She was always wealthier than me as her marriage was a good one and move were not, and I never properly recovered financially. No stress. No discussion. Definitely no lending or borrowing.
If I had money that I could give away, and wanted to, I would do that. But no lending.

I never lend money. I will however give money, without expectation that it'll come back even if the recipient says it will (tbf it usually does).

But not for some cheeky cunt's kitchen refurb!

I would tell her that I never lend money to people as it can spoil friendships that are important to you.

Does she shit in a bucket op? If so I'd buy a toilet. But if not, then massive CF.

I have declined to offer friends money , it never ends well and leaves an elephant in the room

She’s living in a dream world -my bathroom was 11k and kitchen is looking like double that at least.

Anyway I’d just find very boring ways to shut these convos down and going forward don’t tell friends if you come into large sums of money… it never ends well

Don't say the money is tied up. It's not her business and too much information. If you want to splurge you don't then owe her an explanation.

I would be blunt if she's hinting 'sorry but I can't help you with that'. No suggestions, no more financial discussions. If she's struggling a bit she may not be the friend best placed to want to hear about your large lump sum, even if it isn't earmarked for spending on champagne and good times.

Say your money is tied up. End of
Play dumb if she questions you.
If she wants a new kitchen she can go to her bank, not you.

She doesn't 'need' a new bathroom and kitchen, she 'wants' a new bathroom and kitchen. Big difference!
If money is tight how will she be able to pay you back what is probably going to be thousands?
I've lent money twice in my life and neither time got it back. (I know, I should have learnt the first time!) In my experience people get quite shitty with you when you remind them to start paying you back, almost with a 'how dare you ask, you know I've got no money ' attitude.
In short, definitely don't lend it. Just say it's all spoken for/ tied up, if that makes it easier. If you lose them as a friend, they were never a friend to start with.

I only lend money to those in closest to and not for things like a house remodel 🙄

Just no. Don't even tell them.

Never lend money you want back. That's my rule. I treat it as a gift and it's a bonus if it comes back. So you only lend what you're happy to lose. It's served me well!

No way.

Next time the money comes up in conversation (sounds like it will!) strongly imply that it's less than they've assumed and then say it's all gone into your pension and you're so glad to have it all tied up and sorted.

Stick to your guns
i guarantee as soon as you give it her you’ll never see her or get any money back ever
neither a borrower or lender be

You are 10,000% spot on.

Just say no, a nice closed answer which is harder for her to wriggle out of and don't disclose the amount as your finances are none of hers or any other nosey persons business. This will stop her sharing your very personal financial details with all and sundry, it also stops other greedy people treating you like a walking ATM with flashing lights coughing up the cash.

Money can destroy friendships, when the borrower can't be ar$€d paying it back so the $hit hits the fan when the lender ends up out of pocket. So you will be free of all that shenanigans if you make it none negotiable.

Tell the cheeky cow it's in trust and only released in small amounts. You'll not hear then end of it!

It's a good rule which I stick to too. Though if I were to come in to a large amount of money I would consider giving some to people I cared about who were in need. However, wanting a new bathroom and kitchen is not being in need!

Lending money is a very bad idea. Don’t be pressured, OP. I can’t believe someone would expect a friend to pay for a new kitchen and bathroom. This is utterly insane and the height of cheeky fuckery.

Sometimes a new kitchen or bathroom pretty much is a need, but that doesn't mean it's OPs responsibility.

Firstly you’re mad to have told her in the first place. We’ve had an inheritance recently and I’ve told no one, not a soul. People would have no idea whether we had a mortgage or not. No one knows if our next holiday is costing 5k or 15k.

I would shut this loan business down immediately. Next time she refers to it say ‘Ha ha! I wish! It’s not that much, once I pay the mortgage off there will be enough for a nice holiday and a new sofa then it’s gone! I’ll have spunked the lot, ha ha!

''Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but are you hinting that you want me give you some money for your kitchen/bathroom? I'm not in a position to give anyone money, as anything I do have will be for my own long term living expenses.''

Your financial security is way more important than her getting a new bathroom and kitchen. She can save up herself she wants those they are not essentials.

Fuck off anyone expecting you to pay for their house renovations.

She's a cheeky bitch and no friend of yours.

Instead, invest that money in some counselling for yourself to protect your boundaries.