I'd only help in a true emergency, like if I know someone's house burned down or they were in the hospital for something. Even then, I prefer to give to family over friends.

I don't mind paying for lunch or a coffee, basically anything under $20 is a nonissue although I must admit that the next time we're out I'll expect reciprocity. I always get it; I must have a great group of friends.

One of the most awkward moments ever was when my husband talked me into going out with his coworker and wife, at their invitation. When the bill came, they said they didn't have the money for it. My husband looked at me (the card carrier for what I thought would be our half) and I paid. I was especially mad because his coworker ordered multiple beers and ran up quite the tab. We've never been invited to their house, they've never invited us out again, and against my protests they are occasionally invited to parties. They show up empty handed every time - surprise, surprise. I can hardly look at them, I am still livid because I feel so used. My husband feels like they're "poor", which I guess is relative because all I see is their cars, etc. and I know they could've paid if they valued the potential for a real friendship with me.

Does anyone else find that people who know you're saving money and paying off debt will ask for money as soon as they find this information out? A friend of mine told our other friend that she had a large chunk saved, and within a week that friend had a $10k emergency crop up with a loan request. I refuse to feel guilty or obligated because I'm on the road to fiscal responsibility.