Is loaning or giving helping - East Idaho News
Business & Money

Is loaning or giving helping

  Published at  | Updated at

Dear Dave,

The guy who has been my best friend since grade school recently asked me to loan him $5,000. All I have in savings in $5,000, but I would be willing to give him $1,000. The problem is that while he’s a great friend with a good heart, he’s always getting himself into binds when it comes to money. Do you think I should give him $1,000?

Israel

Dear Israel,

If I were in your shoes, and I was going to give this guy a fifth of everything I had, I’d want to know it was going to save his life. From what you’ve said, it sounds like he’s just out of control with his money while you’re trying to save. That being the case, I’m not sure you’d really be helping him.

If you want to gift your friend some money, then do it. But there’s no way I’d tell you to give him everything you’ve managed to save. And I certainly wouldn’t do it as a loan.

Ask yourself if you believe deep down in your heart that giving this guy $1,000 would truly be a blessing to him or if, by doing it, you’d be acting as an enabler and basically just funding more of his stupidity with money. From what you’ve told me, I think there’s a good chance the answer is the latter. And if that’s the case, you can be a much better friend by saying you love him enough to not ruin your friendship.

—Dave

Confirmation of payoff?

Dear Dave,

After struggling with it for several years, I finally made the last payment on my Sallie Mae student loans this week. Do you think I should ask for a formal letter stating that it’s officially paid off?

Angela

Dear Angela,

Congratulations on finally kicking that old woman out of your house! It feels great, doesn’t it?

Sure, it couldn’t hurt anything to write and request formal confirmation that the book on your loans is closed and everything is paid in full. You can do this through email so you’ll have a record of contact, or you can send a certified letter, return receipt requested, through the post office. That way, you’ll have a record they signed for it.

Following up on paid-off debts is always a good idea, Angela. You don’t want the hassle of possibly having to deal with greedy or incompetent collectors sniffing around three or four years down the road and no way to prove you’re free and clear!

—Dave

* Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business, and CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored five New York Times best-selling books.

The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 11 million listeners each week on more than 550 radio stations and digital outlets. Dave’s latest project, EveryDollar, provides a free online budget tool. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the web at daveramsey.com.

The Dave Ramsey Show can be heard weekdays from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on KEIR 101.1 and 92.7 FM and 690 and 1260 AM.

SUBMIT A CORRECTION