Within reason, but my first inclination is to say yes, or find a way for them to meet their needs in other ways.  My friend Jules lost her home to foreclosure in January, and while I couldn’t help her with thousands for a deposit and first and last month’s rent on an apartment, I pulled out all the stops to find her, and her two children, a place to live with friends of mine.

"And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry…."  Oh, that Shakespeare!  (Thanks, Ms. Oliver)  Most people forget that everytime they use their credit card, they’re borrowing.  It’s a bad habit, and obviously, an even more disastrous national pastime, to persistently borrow from strangers.  But I wouldn’t hesitate to give anything I had to a friend who needed it.  And I actually look for any excuse to give a gift.

We need a definition of terms here ….. if by "money", you mean 50 bucks to help a friend buy some fabulous trinket they are short on cash for and will send me a check when they get home ? Absolutely.

Lend a friend $1000 or more ? I have never been asked, nor would I ask. I will lend freely of my time, my expertise, my encouragement, my love, my advice.

"lend’ money to my children ? OY VEY !! 

I have been on the receiving end of friends saying they would love to give me money ever since I lost my job. I have not taken up anyone on this, but am truly flattered. I would sooner work many parttime jobs than impose.

Family, however, each of whom have at some point in my life borrowed money from me (never paying it back), and from whom I have made it a point never, ever, to borrow a dime, have been silent. Silence speaks volumes.

I have done in the pass, but you kive and learn. I have such a good heart, it just might be the reason, I do not have anything now.

I have loaned money to my children with no expectation of having it returned. These were small amts. of money and I willingly gave it since I had it.

I agree, however, that loaning money to friends can be tricky. I would not quibble about small amounts of money ($5, $10 even up to $100) or expect them back. However, in the last couple of years, I loaned a large amount of money to a friend and she decided it wasn’t a loan, that it was a gift. Just as on any of the court shows on t.v., when I couldn’t get her to live up to our agreement, I had to take her to court. Winning the case was fine, but it still hurt to know a friend used me and never intended to pay me back. I know, someone above said it makes you wonder if we were friends in the first place, but I thought we were or I never would have loaned her the money. A very, very, very hard lesson to learn.

Lending money to friends and family is a tricky business, because both parties can be hurt in the process. I have lent money before not worrying about when or If I was to be repaid, I look upon it as a gesture that one day I may need a loan or help, so what good you do now will one day be returned in kind.

I "give" my children money.  I have six kids and five are grown and some with children.  I got put in a situation a year ago where a friend had continued to use a credit card I had taken out in both our names, my social security number being first, ten years ago.  The collection department part of the credit card company called me at work one day and wanted to know why I had not made a payment in six months.  I thought I was going to fall off my chair.  The amount was in the thousands. 

 I paid off the credit card company in full to begin building my credit score again with regard to that particular situation.  A year later and many lies later from her, I got my money because I was persistant.  I won’t do that again.  None of my other friends have put me in that situation and I wouldn’t do that to them either.

However, I would feed someone and even let them move in before I would lend anyone that kind of money again.

Along life’s wondrous way, I have loaned money. Not great amounts. Just what I would call “help outs”, and I have always been paid back. I wouldn’t lend a large amount, but I might give it, depending on the circumstances. Once I know that someone I care about is in need of cash, I’ll make a point of getting the cash to them, making sure they completely understand that I get great satisfaction out of providing what they need…and, absolutely “gratis”. No question about paying back. “I’m satisfied you need help. I can help you, but you must understand this is not a loan. Helping you is what I want to do and I get great satisfaction in being able to do so, because of who you are to me. If ever you are in the position I am fortunate enough to be in, please follow my steps and help the person out”.

(now take this money, and get the hell out of here). - Just kidding.

I’ve never lost the friends I have helped out. It’s such a great feeling to see the relief of a true friend who almost dies having to ask for a financial “help out“.