Minimal Amount of Money
By Jon Busdeker on Apr. 19, 2007
Dear Emily: I lent my friend $8 a few days ago for lunch since the restaurant we went to didn’t take credit cards and she didn’t have cash. Well, we’ve been out with each other since that, and she still hasn’t paid me back. I don’t want to be petty over a small amount of money, but I still think it is only right she offers to pay me back! Should I say something?
— Minimal Amount of Money
Dear Minimal Amount of Money:
What were those famous words again, scribbled by Shakespeare? Oh, “Neither a borrower nor a lender be,” meaning (at least for me) that there is too much tension when it comes to money and debt, so don’t lend money to friends if you can avoid it.
You can see how lending an amount as little as $8 can cause tension, so consider this a lesson learned.
That said, your friend should have offered to pay you back, but she may have just forgotten. Don’t make a big deal about it; $8 isn’t worth ruining a friendship. Just casually mention the next time you both are out to lunch that maybe she could pick up the bill, so you guys would be even.
Hopefully she’ll realize that she never paid you back and will pay the bill.
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