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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU for not lending a friend money?

134 replies

beautifulstranger101 · 06/10/2019 19:22

Hello everyone, I am new to mumsnet but I have a dilemma I would like some opinions on as I really dont know what to do. Ok, so a good friend of mine has asked to borrow money from me to leave her husband. He is a raging alcoholic and verbally abusive. The problem is this: in the last two months this friend has booked an expensive trip to Kenya (she's going with friends), she's spent at least £1500 on fillers, hair extensions, nail extensions, and designer bags (i know this because she's told me). Now, I get it. I get that its her money and she can spend it on whatever she likes and she probably needs the self esteem boost because her H is so nasty. But then, why is she telling me she's poor and can't afford to leave her horrible h? and why is she asking me for money? Normally, I would never judge a friend's spending habits (my usual philosophy is: their money, their business) but this really gets my goat. I want to help her and I feel horribly guilty for saying no, but why doesn't she save some of this money if she's so desperate to leave him? My friend is a truly lovely person and I don't know what to do. AIBU for feeling conflicted about this? (btw- I'm not rich. I do have some savings but I also dont have a pension so any money I do save is going towards my retirement in the future and for my kids university fees etc)

OP posts:
HotChocolateLover · 06/10/2019 19:25

Normal advice on here is don’t lend money you can’t afford to lose. You WILL lose this money. And your friend. Don’t do it.

Iloveacurry · 06/10/2019 19:27

If she can afford the holiday and the fillers etc, she’s got the money to leave her husband.

beautifulstranger101 · 06/10/2019 19:28

Yeah, rationally I know you are the voice of reason, so why do I feel so guilty?

OP posts:
beautifulstranger101 · 06/10/2019 19:28

This is what I cannot understand- why isn't she using this money to save up to leave him if he is so awful?

OP posts:
simonisnotme · 06/10/2019 19:29

neither a borrower or lender be
you'll never get it back and she will drop you like a very hot spud

Queenoftheashes · 06/10/2019 19:29

How much does she claim to need and what for?

beautifulstranger101 · 06/10/2019 19:31

Several thousand - approx £5000 so not a small amount by any means. I struggle to know how to tell her that she could have that money if she hadn't spent so much lately though. I don't know how to say it without sounding like a total b!tch

OP posts:
Shoxfordian · 06/10/2019 19:32

Is that money her money or his money that he lets her use? If she can't spend money without him noticing then it could be that she can't use her own money to leave him. Does she work? Without knowing all the circumstances then you can't say she's being unreasonable but if you can't afford to lend her it then you can offer other support and encourage her to contact womens aid

Tiptopj · 06/10/2019 19:32

I agree with the posters above for the same reasons. Maybe offer her the emotional support instead and a sofa/spare room if she needs it

Totalwasteofpaper · 06/10/2019 19:33

Absolutely do not lend her that money...

Undies1990 · 06/10/2019 19:33

No, don't lend anything to her as she has been spending frivolously over the past couple of months.
Tell her you can't afford to lend her anything and leave it at that. Please don't feel guilty.

MabelMoo23 · 06/10/2019 19:34

Never ever lend money you can't afford to lose. Always assume it will never get paid back - that way if it does, it's a bonus.

So can you afford to not have it paid back? If not, don't lend it

Scoobydoobywho · 06/10/2019 19:34

Tell her to cancel her trip to Kenya and use whatever refund she has to leave.

beautifulstranger101 · 06/10/2019 19:35

Its her money. She works full time, she pays bills, he pays the mortgage. I presume he isn't controlling to that extent as she goes on holiday without him abroad etc

OP posts:
Chloemol · 06/10/2019 19:35

If she is buying all these expensive items she can sell them and raise money that way

user1471590586 · 06/10/2019 19:35

She could sell her designer bags.

sassypants72 · 06/10/2019 19:35

I've had my fingers burnt lending money to friends and would never do it again. I lent one friend 1k which she promised to pay back at £100 per month. I heard every excuse in the book and have never seen a penny back. Shame as I thought she valued me more than that as a friend. She's now gone distant which is a shame as our girls have been friends since before preschool.

Guess I'm trying to say don't do it WineThanks

timshelthechoice · 06/10/2019 19:36

Under NO circumstances should you loan her the money, that would be an extremely stupid thing to do. Just beyond daft. You just tell her, or message her if need be, 'Sorry, but I don't have any money going to lend.' And repeat and repeat and repeat. If she gets bolshy, doesn't take 'no' for an answer the very first time then she's honestly no friend of yours at all.

She has no right to pry into your finances or push. No means no.

You need any savings you have for yourself.

beautifulstranger101 · 06/10/2019 19:36

Guys- so would you just tell her no, I can't give you the money and leave it at that. OR, would you gently point out that the reason she can't afford it is due to her frivolous spending? Im not sure how to phrase that without sounding like Im being heartless

OP posts:
FunkySnidge · 06/10/2019 19:37

You dont need to tell her anything. All you need to say is sorry I don't have money to lend you

beautifulstranger101 · 06/10/2019 19:37

@sassypants72 I'm so sorry you had that experience. Its so hurtful to feel you did the right thing and you got a kick in the face back

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 06/10/2019 19:37

You're a fool if you give her that money. You'll never see a £ of it again.

areyoubeingserviced · 06/10/2019 19:37

Yes, she should sell her designer bags.
Do not give her the money. You will NOT get it back

chuckeeee · 06/10/2019 19:37

I'd just say no sorry, I don't have any money to lend

gamerchick · 06/10/2019 19:38

Don't do it, she's taking the piss, you'll never see that money again and she won't leave her husband.

Don't.do.it. tell her you'll be happy to help in other ways but you can't finance it.

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