Shopping for others

[AB595]

So, I've got a couple of friends who are in self isolation with their families, so far I've just picked up essential items for them, so spent about £3 each...more than happy to donate these items as feel tight asking for money...but at what point do I ask people to pay? If, over the next few months, I do shopping for multiple families...those £3 soon add up..? Thoughts please.

I am using the money I am not spending on a weekend away to run up tabs for vulnerable people. When it gets to about £20 they can pay by bank transfer, paypal, check etc.

Don't let money owed to you get out of control, set your own limits.

In the lead up to schools closing I was picking up one-off items for friends still working (I’m a SAHM and absolutely didn’t mind). But £5 here and there turned into about £25. I felt weird asking my best friend for a £5 back transfer but I just said what was true: these small bits across a few people are adding up. I’ve rounded the number down (so one friend I spent £5.60 on and I asked for £5) so you could do that if you feel ok about it?

I think it's perfectly fine to ask for what it has cost you...just take a photo of the receipt and ask them to transfer it

I’m surprised they haven’t offered, everyone I’ve got things for have insisted, even though I’m not too bothered
You should just say, that’s £x so far, just leave the money outside.

Sorry, transfer is better obviously

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and ideas. I think if I explain I'm shopping for increasing numbers of people, not just them, it shows why I may need to ask. Take care everyone. X

If you're out of pocket and need the money you need to be direct and just hand them a receipt every time and tell them either cash or bank transfer is fine. You're doing them a favour and whilst everyone's finances will be a little more precarious at the moment, you can't subsidise everyone.

I think you need to ask him them to do a bank transfer. Just say you’re helping out a few people and the few pounds here and there is really mounting up.

I really cannot stand people who don't pay up. You're doing them a massive favour by picking stuff up. Do they think it's free or something?

Why aren't you giving them a receipt?

Don't make it awkward by asking for rounded down numbers or waiting until it's gone up to £20... Just give them the receipt every time and ask if they need your bank details or will cash cover it.

Honestly,I don't think many people can afford to subsidize others at the best of times and if you carry on hand wringing and don't make it clear what you're doing (you're already doing them the favour of getting stuff), you will end up having this conversation in a few weeks when you've let it continue and they suddenly wonder why you're changing the way it works on people.

Tell them now. Save yourself a lot of hassle.

I often borrow money off my friend in work if someone is going out to buy cakes or treats as I rarely carry cash these days.

Whatever it costs, even less than a pound, I transfer immediately and forward her screenshot of the confirmation.

She is not my personal banker and it takes seconds to do.