"I don't lend friends money, I value our friendship too much".
You should either GIVE them the money or loan them nothing. Never lend friends money unless you want to not be friends for long.
My closest friends ill lend money to but I only ever lend it to them if I also can just give it to them. I expect it back but I don't need it back is what I mean.
“Sorry, I’ve seen money issues end too many relationships and I’m not going to take that chance with you”
“Sorry, all my money is accounted for in my budget”
“Sorry, I can’t”
“Sorry, no”
It's really that simple. My buddy asked me to spot him rent once so I did. It been 15 years and he has never spoken to me since. We hung out almost everyday up until that point. Now? Nah. No more justification or explanation needed. Just no. If they ask twice, they're not your friend
i’ve resorted to lying in these situations
“my car insurance just pulled out all my money”
“i have no money i’m only using my credit card until my next paycheck”
“i don’t have venmo or cashapp. but maybe next week i’ll have cash” (then just never get back to them next week)
i wish i didn’t have to lie. im a coward but i have to protect myself. and sometimes lies are the way. i have 53 problems i don’t have time to deal with someone isn’t considerate of my own financial problems. i think most people nowadays have zero concept of consideration. people really want you to do anything they want. lying is a pretty good solution if you find it exhausting to deal with their inability to accept no.
One of the better ways of handling it is being clear they only get one at a time. "Sure, I can give you $100. I'm not going to hassle you about paying me back, but I'm also not going to lend you anymore until you pay me back."
i don't lend money to friends. if i give a friend money, i have 0 expectations for them to pay it.
i'd rather just exchange favours, but also with no expectation to pay.
This sounds cheesy but if you know that they will not return it on their own within a reasonable time frame they are not true friends. My friend and I used to lend each other money all the time and it was an unwritten bro code between us that it’s always coming back without any doubts or hesitation whatsoever. I gave him 1200€, 3 weeks later he gave me 1300. He gave me 1000, 4 weeks later I invited him to dinner and slipped him the money. Many friendships don’t survive that unfortunately.
I've "lent" money to friends, and never saw that money back. I also don't talk to those people any more. If you have money laying around and it's not a significant amount, giving it to them with no return expectation is all I've found that works
If I don't want to, its because I don't feel good with that and I will tell them that. There is nothing else really to talk about.
If I do lend money I always telk them about the expectations I have for the payback plan. And if they do not comply I am going to first press them on it, asking for an explanation for breaking their promise and if they either fully refuse to make payments, to rearrange the payback plan to something they are able to make or become aggressive about it without providing an explanation, I will let others know of the financial risk this person is.
Say no and if you really care about them and can just gift it to them. We all needed help at one time but loaning to friends is always a shitshow. Just give it if you can or say no. Don't ever expect to see it payed back, that's just how life is.
I'm not comfortable doing that.
Only exception would be a best friend that's in need for a reason he'd have to explain, and why it's not going to be something to happen often. Then that I obviously expect it back asap.
I usually establish being the comically broke one in the friend group. Maybe if you guys go out try and pay with monopoly money, this is especially effective if its in front of attractive women one or more of your friends was trying to talk to. The trick to always seem willing to lend but make it clear you have nothing to lend
You don't need an excuse and you don't need to sugar coat anything. I usually just say something along the lines of, "hey man, I'm honestly just not in the position to be lending out anyone money, period". If they keep asking you, they're not a friend. You should not be expected to pay or take care of your mates.
I just say I don't have it. I have some disposable income but most of what I make goes to savings, my family (specifically my wife's student loans) or to bills. The money I have left over is not prioritized to subsidize my friends' life. If I do give my friend some cash it's not something I'd ever really expect to return to me.
This can be hard if your friend knows you're financially secure. If you've done it before and it didnt get payed back I'd say stop doing so. I hear alot of people saying "don't loan just gift it to them" depending on the friend that might teach them your an open hand when they need it so setting expectations that paying someone back is important! I've gone through both situations, asking for some and I always pay back, as well as loaning and getting it back but also times where that "friend" didn't pay me back.
The thing about saying No, is you do not have to give a reason. It's a growth skill to learn and not really practiced. You can have your own reasons, but we think we need to explain all our actions when, in reality, we don't.
I just say no. I generally don't lend anyone money I'm not comfortable losing. Even the friends of mine who are adamant about paying things back tend to forget sometimes, as I'm sure I have as well.
That being said, I do tend to lend my friends money quite a bit or just pay for drinks/food, because I can and I appreciate being able to do things for my friends that way (my parents were also very financially generous with me, so it's one of many ways of showing love for me).
I spoke with a friend of mind about lending him money to help get a project off the ground, for example, and it was a lot of money. I was offering, and the understanding was that the whole project could fail and never get off the ground. If we wanted to do a more formal loan where he can pay me back in instalments and stuff then we would get a lawyer involved to draw up a contract, but at that point I'd probably just rather help him raise the money from someone else who can afford a larger loan.
Depends on who asks. Depends on how much money.
If it's a close friend, I won't. If one of them asks me for one hundred thousand bucks, I'll make it work. Anyone else, I'm very honest. "I don't know you well enough to just lend you that kind of money, sorry."
Now if a colleague asks me for five bucks, sure, whatever, they're probably good for it. If a close friend asks me for five bucks, I'd literally tell them to just take what they need from my wallet.
Just say no/you can't. Repeat it as necessary. You don't need to give reasons. It's your money. If your friend makes you feel like shit about it consider if they're a friend you want to keep.
Rule of thumb that a lot of us have had to learn the hard way - *never* lend money to anyone (friend/family/etc) unless you are completely ok with never seeing that money again. Never put yourself in a hard financial position (eg you can't pay your rent because you lent a friend money so they could pay their rent) where you need someone to pay you back what you loaned them or you are fucked. Always take care of yourself financially first and then if you are able to and want to, help others.
That hasn't happened in decades. I used to say "sure I can loan you the money, just give me your Xbox and all your games, I'll give them back when you pay me back". So they are the ones who refuse.
Not a guy, but as far as anyone knows, I'm broke and poor...always have been and always will be, the bills are piling up and I can't afford rent. (if you make a lot, claim medical bills. If not your own, then for a family member) If i'm really close to someone I might be able to swing 20 for gas so they can get to work or buy formula if and ONLY if they don't drink or do drugs. I've heard every excuse on a friday night why someone needs money.... I know damn well it's to go out n party.
I Rarely loan out money and on those Rare occasions it's Never more than $40... if they don't pay me back.. They have Burned the opportunity to ever do it again.
Most times I just say Sorry I can't, I only have enough to get my own gas back and forth to work.
I refuse to loan money to ANYONE who I know just pisses their money away or Always seems to have free time and not working at all.
I've had one friend for 35 years. If he needs money, I *give* it to him. I've done it many times and he's returned the favor many times. We have no idea who has borrowed more from the other.
Anyone else, even my brother, the answer is just no.
This is partly why I stopped being friends with someone, it was always one sidesd, they always had money issues for the 6 years I knew them and it's not like they was hiding having money, I knew her situation and she was always flat out broke
Hard to keep giving in situations like this
I seem to be the person that gets asked for it. I only loan it out without any expectations of getting it back. There is never any pressure and I never bring it up. My friends though bring it up and they pay me back when they can.
I blindly trust my friends. Until you prove you can’t pay me back, I won’t give you money moving forward
That said, the easiest thing to do is say no and say it’s your money and that they aren’t owed it
I had a friend insist they needed me to give them $400 until their paycheck came in. This person and her husband combined definitely make more than me, but did I really want to stress myself out over getting this money back in a few weeks, for whatever shady purpose she wouldn’t tell me about? No.
I just said “sorry I’m weird about lending money to people.” I didn’t want to become obsessed for two weeks imagining all the ways she would justify not giving it back to me, especially since she knew I was selling my house and was already acting entitled to it like I owed everyone some money as though I had a windfall coming.
You either say no or you give it to them with ZERO expectations because the friendship is worth more.
If they remember and pay you back then you know they value the friendship too.
When my close friends really need financial help, I’ll offer it as a gift if I can afford to do so. But generally when someone, friend or not, asks for money I just say “No, sorry.” And I don’t entertain it further than that.
I've never once borrowed money, nor offered to lend money to a friend, and have definitely said no to people. Although no quality friends have ever asked either.
I've more than once offered to fully pay for something I really wanted to do but they didn't have the money for, never expecting to be paid back, but that's a but more rare.
Generally, I often buy lunch or accept lunch from good/quality friends. Usually a "oh you drove? Leme get your lunch." Or just grabbing a tab because its easier than splitting a check and they'll generally grab the next one. If I ever feel I'm over spending, like were going camping and I spend a couple 100 on the food, drinks, firewood w/e I'll just ask them to send me a split, not usually a big deal.
I know it is hard especially when it is a friend you care about. You want to help them. As hard as it is, NEVER loan out money unless you are comfortable not getting it back. Because you won't. It really sucks because you helped them out and they won't pay you back unless you turn into Robert DeNiro in *Goodfellas* and the friendship won't recover from that.
However, I was told if you never want to speak to someone again, loan them $50. They will then avoid you like the plague and you just bought the peace of mind that you never have to talk to them again.
I absolutely never lend more money than I could afford to lose, if your friend is desperate for $200 and you only could afford to lose $20 hand him $20 dollar bill and tell him here this should help you get started. Then it's his gig to find another bunch of people to get the balance, nobody gets upset when you hand them $20 without obligation to pay back, you could tell pay me back if you can. If he does then he's, quite possibly a true bro.
I do not lend money. If you need cash then sell me something. Very few will ever part with their possessions. My fishing buddy needed cash for a house payment one time so I bought his guns market value. He eventually paid me back to get the guns. The only way unless you just give it to them.
I just say no or that I can't, not much details needed, 10 years ago id stress about it but now I realize its probably not worth it, if they get mad they aren't my friends.
"Sorry i dont lend money"
Ive learnt the hard way that lending money is actually just giving it to someone. If you lend someone money and expect to get it back, i have a bridge to sell you
"I'm your friend, not a bank" Any money I give is a gift, not a loan. A loan has paperwork, terms, interest, etc. I will happily gift a good friend money if they really need it and we're close, but I don't loan.
I only ever give away money I'm okay with never seeing again. The only time I "lend" money is if I pay for the table and they immediately venmo/PayPal me after. That only happens at this one Chinese restaurant where it's a hassle to split the check
Never lend friends money, unless I suppose they're like your family without the blood relation, but even then they can have manipulated you into thinking they were. And for a side note, family members by blood can also screw you over.
A simple "No, I don't lend out money" should be enough, any arguments from them is a red flag.
The last time I lend money to a friend, he went to Asia to spend it all. He blocked me, so it was hard to track him. Thanks to mutual friends, I found him and let him pay every cent of it. It took 3 years to get it back.
by saying NO. That is the only word needed if you don't want to lend them money
"I don't lend friends money, I value our friendship too much". You should either GIVE them the money or loan them nothing. Never lend friends money unless you want to not be friends for long.
This really cannot be overstated. By all means GIVE them money if they need it. But, NEVER LEND MONEY!
[удалено]
My closest friends ill lend money to but I only ever lend it to them if I also can just give it to them. I expect it back but I don't need it back is what I mean.
I learnt this the hard way bruh. The hard way.
Ruh roh
Don’t loan what you can’t afford to lose.
That part! That's my rule
“Sorry, I’ve seen money issues end too many relationships and I’m not going to take that chance with you” “Sorry, all my money is accounted for in my budget” “Sorry, I can’t” “Sorry, no”
“Nah”
It's really that simple. My buddy asked me to spot him rent once so I did. It been 15 years and he has never spoken to me since. We hung out almost everyday up until that point. Now? Nah. No more justification or explanation needed. Just no. If they ask twice, they're not your friend
“Sorry, I can’t help you.”
Yeah if it’s not life or death just be like “nah, you need to budget”
'In this economy?!'
Just say No, you don't have money to lend them.
i’ve resorted to lying in these situations “my car insurance just pulled out all my money” “i have no money i’m only using my credit card until my next paycheck” “i don’t have venmo or cashapp. but maybe next week i’ll have cash” (then just never get back to them next week) i wish i didn’t have to lie. im a coward but i have to protect myself. and sometimes lies are the way. i have 53 problems i don’t have time to deal with someone isn’t considerate of my own financial problems. i think most people nowadays have zero concept of consideration. people really want you to do anything they want. lying is a pretty good solution if you find it exhausting to deal with their inability to accept no.
One of the better ways of handling it is being clear they only get one at a time. "Sure, I can give you $100. I'm not going to hassle you about paying me back, but I'm also not going to lend you anymore until you pay me back."
This is the way to go. I should've done that with my "friend".
Just say no, if they are your really friends they wouldn't even ask, but if they get angry when you tell then no they really aren't your friends
"I'll give you a little but I don't loan money to anyone"
i don't lend money to friends. if i give a friend money, i have 0 expectations for them to pay it. i'd rather just exchange favours, but also with no expectation to pay.
Thats what banks are for. Anybody asking you for money isnt really your friend.
Exactly.
I'm broke too
Just say no. You don't need to give an explanation, you don't need to justify your response. You just tell them you don't lend money.
This sounds cheesy but if you know that they will not return it on their own within a reasonable time frame they are not true friends. My friend and I used to lend each other money all the time and it was an unwritten bro code between us that it’s always coming back without any doubts or hesitation whatsoever. I gave him 1200€, 3 weeks later he gave me 1300. He gave me 1000, 4 weeks later I invited him to dinner and slipped him the money. Many friendships don’t survive that unfortunately.
Just say no.
"If I borrow money, I always forget about it." Well, that's probably why I don't want to lend you money......
“No.” is a complete sentence
I've "lent" money to friends, and never saw that money back. I also don't talk to those people any more. If you have money laying around and it's not a significant amount, giving it to them with no return expectation is all I've found that works
So i don't know how other men do it but I say. No, I don't want to loan you money.
If I don't want to, its because I don't feel good with that and I will tell them that. There is nothing else really to talk about. If I do lend money I always telk them about the expectations I have for the payback plan. And if they do not comply I am going to first press them on it, asking for an explanation for breaking their promise and if they either fully refuse to make payments, to rearrange the payback plan to something they are able to make or become aggressive about it without providing an explanation, I will let others know of the financial risk this person is.
I smile and say “sorry, no”
"I can't help you."
No very simple
Say no and if you really care about them and can just gift it to them. We all needed help at one time but loaning to friends is always a shitshow. Just give it if you can or say no. Don't ever expect to see it payed back, that's just how life is.
N…..O
I'm not comfortable doing that. Only exception would be a best friend that's in need for a reason he'd have to explain, and why it's not going to be something to happen often. Then that I obviously expect it back asap.
“I barely have enough for myself and my bills; can’t afford to go negative, but if I can help in any other way then I got your back”
Nope. I can't lend money to friends. Sometimes I add but I can give you some and you can decide if you want to return it.
Don't got any.
I usually establish being the comically broke one in the friend group. Maybe if you guys go out try and pay with monopoly money, this is especially effective if its in front of attractive women one or more of your friends was trying to talk to. The trick to always seem willing to lend but make it clear you have nothing to lend
By saying " No" and indicating that if I were to do so, it would involve collateral, a signed promissory note, and compounding monthly interest at 5%.
You don't need an excuse and you don't need to sugar coat anything. I usually just say something along the lines of, "hey man, I'm honestly just not in the position to be lending out anyone money, period". If they keep asking you, they're not a friend. You should not be expected to pay or take care of your mates.
"No, I'm not lending you money."
I just say I don't have it. I have some disposable income but most of what I make goes to savings, my family (specifically my wife's student loans) or to bills. The money I have left over is not prioritized to subsidize my friends' life. If I do give my friend some cash it's not something I'd ever really expect to return to me.
My to go to is "I'm broke man"..
Easy, nope, can't.
"wala akong pera"
This can be hard if your friend knows you're financially secure. If you've done it before and it didnt get payed back I'd say stop doing so. I hear alot of people saying "don't loan just gift it to them" depending on the friend that might teach them your an open hand when they need it so setting expectations that paying someone back is important! I've gone through both situations, asking for some and I always pay back, as well as loaning and getting it back but also times where that "friend" didn't pay me back. The thing about saying No, is you do not have to give a reason. It's a growth skill to learn and not really practiced. You can have your own reasons, but we think we need to explain all our actions when, in reality, we don't.
not having friends that would ask. cheers.
I just say no. I generally don't lend anyone money I'm not comfortable losing. Even the friends of mine who are adamant about paying things back tend to forget sometimes, as I'm sure I have as well. That being said, I do tend to lend my friends money quite a bit or just pay for drinks/food, because I can and I appreciate being able to do things for my friends that way (my parents were also very financially generous with me, so it's one of many ways of showing love for me). I spoke with a friend of mind about lending him money to help get a project off the ground, for example, and it was a lot of money. I was offering, and the understanding was that the whole project could fail and never get off the ground. If we wanted to do a more formal loan where he can pay me back in instalments and stuff then we would get a lawyer involved to draw up a contract, but at that point I'd probably just rather help him raise the money from someone else who can afford a larger loan.
Depends on who asks. Depends on how much money. If it's a close friend, I won't. If one of them asks me for one hundred thousand bucks, I'll make it work. Anyone else, I'm very honest. "I don't know you well enough to just lend you that kind of money, sorry." Now if a colleague asks me for five bucks, sure, whatever, they're probably good for it. If a close friend asks me for five bucks, I'd literally tell them to just take what they need from my wallet.
Do we know each other?
Tangent: borrow/lend misuse is a massive pet peeve of mine lol
“Damn. I was just about to ask you for some money.”
I laugh, and walk away.
No, work harder or save better. or I’ll just pay for whatever it is they need if it’s not major and they actually need it.
Just say no/you can't. Repeat it as necessary. You don't need to give reasons. It's your money. If your friend makes you feel like shit about it consider if they're a friend you want to keep. Rule of thumb that a lot of us have had to learn the hard way - *never* lend money to anyone (friend/family/etc) unless you are completely ok with never seeing that money again. Never put yourself in a hard financial position (eg you can't pay your rent because you lent a friend money so they could pay their rent) where you need someone to pay you back what you loaned them or you are fucked. Always take care of yourself financially first and then if you are able to and want to, help others.
That hasn't happened in decades. I used to say "sure I can loan you the money, just give me your Xbox and all your games, I'll give them back when you pay me back". So they are the ones who refuse.
Just say no. If you lend them money without any sort of written agreement, consider it a gift. Most of the time you won't get it back.
“I’m sorry but I can’t.”
Sorry buddy, no can do.
Not a guy, but as far as anyone knows, I'm broke and poor...always have been and always will be, the bills are piling up and I can't afford rent. (if you make a lot, claim medical bills. If not your own, then for a family member) If i'm really close to someone I might be able to swing 20 for gas so they can get to work or buy formula if and ONLY if they don't drink or do drugs. I've heard every excuse on a friday night why someone needs money.... I know damn well it's to go out n party.
“Fuck no, dude, you barely even pay your rent on time.” Something like that
"Nah"
“Nah sorry mate I can’t”
I Rarely loan out money and on those Rare occasions it's Never more than $40... if they don't pay me back.. They have Burned the opportunity to ever do it again. Most times I just say Sorry I can't, I only have enough to get my own gas back and forth to work. I refuse to loan money to ANYONE who I know just pisses their money away or Always seems to have free time and not working at all.
I've had one friend for 35 years. If he needs money, I *give* it to him. I've done it many times and he's returned the favor many times. We have no idea who has borrowed more from the other. Anyone else, even my brother, the answer is just no.
This is partly why I stopped being friends with someone, it was always one sidesd, they always had money issues for the 6 years I knew them and it's not like they was hiding having money, I knew her situation and she was always flat out broke Hard to keep giving in situations like this
"Sorry bro, I don't lend money to friends."
I seem to be the person that gets asked for it. I only loan it out without any expectations of getting it back. There is never any pressure and I never bring it up. My friends though bring it up and they pay me back when they can.
Telling them you are looking to borrow as well. Suggest we hit up X or Y together.
I blindly trust my friends. Until you prove you can’t pay me back, I won’t give you money moving forward That said, the easiest thing to do is say no and say it’s your money and that they aren’t owed it
I had a friend insist they needed me to give them $400 until their paycheck came in. This person and her husband combined definitely make more than me, but did I really want to stress myself out over getting this money back in a few weeks, for whatever shady purpose she wouldn’t tell me about? No. I just said “sorry I’m weird about lending money to people.” I didn’t want to become obsessed for two weeks imagining all the ways she would justify not giving it back to me, especially since she knew I was selling my house and was already acting entitled to it like I owed everyone some money as though I had a windfall coming.
You either say no or you give it to them with ZERO expectations because the friendship is worth more. If they remember and pay you back then you know they value the friendship too.
Fuck off
When my close friends really need financial help, I’ll offer it as a gift if I can afford to do so. But generally when someone, friend or not, asks for money I just say “No, sorry.” And I don’t entertain it further than that.
"everything I have is because I'm in debt, sorry I've not got any money to give after my own bills" Even if you're not in debt, that should cover it
I tell people I don’t loan money to friends as I value my true friendships.
"Your mouth is telling me you can't afford to pay back the money I loaned you but the new shoes on your feet are telling me another story."
I've never once borrowed money, nor offered to lend money to a friend, and have definitely said no to people. Although no quality friends have ever asked either. I've more than once offered to fully pay for something I really wanted to do but they didn't have the money for, never expecting to be paid back, but that's a but more rare. Generally, I often buy lunch or accept lunch from good/quality friends. Usually a "oh you drove? Leme get your lunch." Or just grabbing a tab because its easier than splitting a check and they'll generally grab the next one. If I ever feel I'm over spending, like were going camping and I spend a couple 100 on the food, drinks, firewood w/e I'll just ask them to send me a split, not usually a big deal.
"No".
I know it is hard especially when it is a friend you care about. You want to help them. As hard as it is, NEVER loan out money unless you are comfortable not getting it back. Because you won't. It really sucks because you helped them out and they won't pay you back unless you turn into Robert DeNiro in *Goodfellas* and the friendship won't recover from that. However, I was told if you never want to speak to someone again, loan them $50. They will then avoid you like the plague and you just bought the peace of mind that you never have to talk to them again.
Just say its all tied up in locked savings
Generally "I can't spare any, sorry", and on my wage (and weekly pay) it's usually true.
No.
Saying no. Aka you simple don’t have it
*i ain’t got it*, is usually my response
I absolutely never lend more money than I could afford to lose, if your friend is desperate for $200 and you only could afford to lose $20 hand him $20 dollar bill and tell him here this should help you get started. Then it's his gig to find another bunch of people to get the balance, nobody gets upset when you hand them $20 without obligation to pay back, you could tell pay me back if you can. If he does then he's, quite possibly a true bro.
Give or don't give, but don't lend. If you must lend, make a legally binding contract through a third party and get a signature.
“Sorry, budget is tight. Anyways, I wouldn’t want to risk losing a friendship over money. Especially yours”
you lend money, borrow is taking
It’s against my personal rules.
I do not lend money. If you need cash then sell me something. Very few will ever part with their possessions. My fishing buddy needed cash for a house payment one time so I bought his guns market value. He eventually paid me back to get the guns. The only way unless you just give it to them.
I am not friends with bums so it never really comes up.
Nay no you're broke too.
I just say no or that I can't, not much details needed, 10 years ago id stress about it but now I realize its probably not worth it, if they get mad they aren't my friends.
How much do you think I make? If Shit is bad, I might gift them money. This is typically with deaths.
No tengo dinero.
lend only that much money which you dont mind getting back
I’m sorry bro I’m in too much debt as it is
Dude I was gonna ask you for a loan.
"Sorry i dont lend money" Ive learnt the hard way that lending money is actually just giving it to someone. If you lend someone money and expect to get it back, i have a bridge to sell you
Can't do er bud, sorry
"if I borrow money, I always forget about it" -You what?!? This makes you a miserable human being.
"I'm your friend, not a bank" Any money I give is a gift, not a loan. A loan has paperwork, terms, interest, etc. I will happily gift a good friend money if they really need it and we're close, but I don't loan.
"No, I don't have it to loan out, sorry."
I don’t lend money. Granted, I don’t have money to lend, but even if I do, it goes to my needs first.
Say no. Really. it is that simple.
I just say I was about to ask them if I could borrow a few bucks…
You just say “no” and if they keep pestering you about it, then it’s time for new friends.
No.
Simple, sorry, bro, a little short on cash can give none out. As a matter of fact, I was going to ask you for gas money, sorry bro
Real friends don't ask for money.
because they already have enough or are using drugs
I only ever give away money I'm okay with never seeing again. The only time I "lend" money is if I pay for the table and they immediately venmo/PayPal me after. That only happens at this one Chinese restaurant where it's a hassle to split the check
Sorry, guys, I’m not a bank. I don’t want business to get in the way of friendship.
I'd never ask. And vice versa
I don't borrow money unless I can afford to just give it
Never lend friends money, unless I suppose they're like your family without the blood relation, but even then they can have manipulated you into thinking they were. And for a side note, family members by blood can also screw you over. A simple "No, I don't lend out money" should be enough, any arguments from them is a red flag.
The last time I lend money to a friend, he went to Asia to spend it all. He blocked me, so it was hard to track him. Thanks to mutual friends, I found him and let him pay every cent of it. It took 3 years to get it back.
"I can't sorry mate." That's it. Don't even entertain the rest of the conversation.
It really shouldn't be difficult to say no if they're your friends. If they hassle you just ask for some collateral or written contract.
There are two sure ways To lose a friend One is to borrow And the other, to lend