to think my friend is taking the piss?

[clapofthunder]

So probably almost a year ago I lent my friend £300. I found out she was going to get money using a loan company so I didn't want her to get into debt.

She paid me back, but it took a long time and it was an odd instalment now and again.

In January she asked to borrow £50 and said she would transfer it to my account the next day. Of course the next day she couldn't afford it and said it would be next pay day. I only got paid back in April.

She has just text me now asking to borrow £250, as she has started a new job and won't be getting paid properly until June.

She is a good friend and she has always paid me back eventually, but I can't help but feel she is taking the piss now.

Just say no. You haven't got the money to spare this month.

That way there's no chance for resentment to spoil your friendship.

Don't lend her any more money. You don't solve money problems with money. She needs to learn to budget better and stop using you as a fallback for her crappy management.

No. She can use her overdraft like everyone else.

:)

Sounds like you've learnt the hard way not to lend her money.

Just say no. You haven't got the money to spare this month.

This ^

If she values your friendship she will accept it and manage or talk to her bank.

'Sorry, I'm a bit short myself this month' Sorted.

Yanbu

Her new company should be able to give her an advance for some of her wages for her first month if she asks.

Eh, I'd just say sorry but you can't afford it this month. Does she have a credit card she can use until she gets paid?

I work on the old principle of 'never lend anybody money that you can't afford never to see again'. If I lend money I see it as a gift then, if the person pays me back (which they usually do) it's a nice bonus rather than it being an awkward stress if they don't.

Point her in the direction of the local credit union?

No, no, no. Enough is enough. For her to ask you once is possibly understandable, to keep asking you is taking the piss.

As Simile said, her new employers should be able to give her an advance. On proof of employment and salary, her bank might.

Agree, sounds like you'll have a much better relationship if she borrows money elsewhere.

"Sorry, I'm a bit short this month myself" should cover it.

You've missed a bit:

"Sorry, I'm a bit short this month. I was going to ask you!"

YANBU at all. Definitely tell her you're short, she'll get the message eventually.
A friend of mine offered to lend me £500 to buy a car the other day, my answer was "absolutely no way, never!" I would never borrow money from a friend! If I couldn't afford to pay it back I'd never forgive myself!

She's never going to learn to budget if she can rely on you both to bail her out and to be prepared to allow her to take ages to pay back. Say no.

If she's borrowed money before and been slack about repaying it promptly- for whatever reason- then I would refuse. Do what others said: tell her you are having a tight month yourself and don't have it to lend.

Three loans (or attempts at) means this is starting to become a bit of a habit. £250/£300 aren't small amounts, either.