I completely agree with what the previous person commented on...I have been saving up money and living rather cheaply (not going out, not buying things that I don't need) and my friend had commented about that. I told her I was saving up money for a down payment for a house. She called today saying she needs a big favor from me and needs to borrow some money to fix up her car and pay her rent. I feel very uncomfortable doing this. First of all, she is always getting her nails done and going out every weekend and buying alcohol. The other thing is that I have been duped before by another friend who stated she was in dire need for paying her rent, bills. I gave her money which she later spent on buying clothes. She then asked me again later, but this time asked for a loan because she had nobody else who could help her. Of course, being the sucker that I am, I lent her the money...and never got any of it back. When I later was injured and could not work, she kept hinting at her financial problems. I couldn't help her even if I wanted to because I had no income coming in. When I told her so, I didn't hear from her for a very long time. Now that she's getting married, she's contacting me again. Perhaps wishing for a wedding gift. The whole thing has left me so jaded. However, I feel bad for my new friend here who needs money for her car and rent. She says no one else can help her. However, this is my hard-earned money that I saved and I know my limiting of how much I'll "give" her will put a strain on our "friendship." I don't know why I care so much but my parents went through financial troubles and no one helped them and my mom comments on how she had wished someone would have come along to help them the way she now helps others, and the way I help others too. I guess the whole thing is you should only give what you can afford to lose. Never expect it back, that way you'll be pleasantly surprised when someone actually does return your money back.