She has a five-year-old DD. She called this morning asking to borrow money from me for her food shopping, saying she has only £10 to cover her until this time next week. I am a soft touch and will do what I can to help people, so this is probably why she asked me rather than another relative. I was about two seconds from saying yes to her before I remembered she had mentioned yesterday about some money she had in her flat. I asked her what happened to the money as this was a significant amount (I think about £100+) and she said "Oh that's for one of ---'s Christmas presents". I replied that there was a month until Christmas, and could she not use that money for food shopping, as eating was more important than a present. Her DD already has a couple of hundred pounds worth of stuff for Christmas hidden away. She replied that the money was not for food, it was for a present. I asked wasn't food more important? She said no, because she could borrow food money and she wanted to get the present.
WIBU to then refuse her the money? She has gone off in a strop and said I was selfish. It seems to have escaped her notice that I'm trying to prep for a baby at the same time as doing Christmas for my DNephew so I'm hardly rolling in the cash. Not to mention that this relative has a history of borrowing and not paying back, including with me.
Even if I was, I don't think I would've given money to someone who has £100 stashed and is refusing to use it for essentials.
So was I being too harsh? I really don't think I was and I think she's just throwing a tantrum because I said no, but I thought I'd throw it out there.
If you think IABU, then I will call her back and lend her the money. Up to MN.