GainesvilleMoms.com

I have this new neighbor that just moved in a few weeks ago. We have met the grandfather once. The couple that lives there seems VERY young. Last night when I got home the young man approched me a asked could I loan him $10 b/c his baby was out of diapers. I told him to hold on so I could talk to my husband. My husband did not want me to loan the guy the money b/c he feels like it will open up a can of worms that we do not want opened. On the other hand, I have been there. We do not live in the best of places but it is not the worst either. What do you guys think? We did loan him the money, and he swears that he will have it back to us today.

I would have advised the same thing -- seems like a bad idea. BUT now that its done, you can use it as a learning experience. It cost you 10 bucks to find out if these people are trustworthy or not. Which really isn't that much money. If you get it back, terrific (but I would still caution about doing it again) and if you don't, then at least you're not out a lawn mower, or a car,or something else they might have asked to borrow.

I would have offered to "pick some diapers up for you when I get to the store." That way it doesn't seem like you're a money bag and you know for sure what the money's going for. I'm all for helping out esp. for a child- but you just never know for sure when it comes to cash borrowing.
But Nates advice is good too!

I was going to do that but we were just getting home from football and cheer practice and it was late. I just don't want it to become a problem.

Hey, anyone got an extra $10 lying around, yeah, uh, my 7 year old needs diaper

Honestly, I have to say that if I had it on me, I probably would have given it to him. $10 is that much money in the grand scheme of things. As long as I was prepared to lose the money, I would have given it to him. Who knows, maybe you will need something some day and they'll be able to help you out. Sort of a pay it forward thing.

I wouldn't let it become a regular thing, but I don't see anything wrong with giving someone a hand up at times. I do like the suggestion to purchase the diapers for the person, but I would also hate to make the person feel that I was suspicious of them for no good reason.

We are always lending things to our neighbors across the street (tools, cat food, box of spaghetti, eggs, milk you name it). They are very busy and own their own business. If I can save them a trip to publix for 1 thing, I am happy too! They also return everything and are great cooks and cook us great dinners every now and then. It is nice to have the kind of neighbors where you can help each other out from time to time! Also, if she is running up to the store and sees me in the yard, she asks if I need her t o pick us up anything, Hopefully by lending the $10, you have fostered the kind of neighbor relationship that will benefit both of your families. I would have done the same thing you did.

Too bad you didn't have a baby the same age/size as theirs so you could have just handed them a stack of diapers to get them through!!

As soon as they asked me that was the first thing I thought. I had been babysitting my neice the day before and wished that I had some diapers left. We have not gotten the money back yet, but maybe before the weekend is over?

When we were living at our first apartment I had a new neighbor ask me for a ride to the grocery store. Since it was just one mile and I needed something as well I thought it was no big deal. Next thing I know she was asking for a ride everyday almost and sometimes banging on our door after 10 pm. No matter how many times I said no, she never stopped until she moved out.

Hopefully this will end up being the sort of relationship Lew has with her neighbors and not a take, take, take relationship.

On a side note, this is one reason why I never carry cash. I can't be guilted into giving it away. Plus if I lose my wallet, I can alway cancel the debit card but the cash I can never get back.

-Amy

I would have given him the money. I like to at least start out thinking the best of everyone. Time will tell if they are honest.

That is such a tough situation. I think loaning the $10 was so nice of you, and hopefully your neighbors won't start taking advantage of your genorosity. I would say, if they ask in the future, maybe then you could just offer to pick up whatever they need at the store.

But like the moms have said before, hopefully you and your neighbors will have a wonderful relationship in which you can all rely on eachother!