Should you lend money to others who need some quick cash?

IT’S awkward when someone close to you asks to borrow some money. So how you should you handle this situation?

SHOULD you ever lend a friend, lover or family member money?

Short answer: No bloody way.

Long answer: Depends.

Being put in that awkward position of being asked to hand over some cash is one that makes many of us squirm.

I’ve been there, done that.

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I’ve had ex-boyfriends who are diabolical with cash asking me for money and that’s part of the reason they are long gone.

Being bad with cash is no way to win a woman’s heart.

Being able to stand on your own two feet is critical and to turn to someone in desperation for money is a massive red flag.

I even had one ex tell me in one breath he had a stack of savings but in another breath he was about to withdraw money from an ATM using a horrific cash advance.

For those of you who don’t know what this is, it means you are in the financial doldrums.

You are withdrawing cash from your credit card and getting slammed with interest charges on the spot.

Having fights over money is one of the most common reasons couple break up.

I try to avoid lending other people money at all costs.

If it’s someone I know just happens to be short of money on the spot then that’s OK — an ATM might be a brisk walk away.

I know I’ll get it back.

It’s taken me years to detect a good liar but now I think I’m pretty good at it.

If lovers, friends or family are asking you for money, usually it’s a safe bet to say they are in financial dire straits.

I find if you stick with the view that once you hand over the cash you’re never going to see it again then it’s happy days. Having no qualms about parting with your cash and never seeing it again means you won’t end up bitter and twisted.

But it’s when you want it back things can quickly turn tense.

I’ve seen friends lose friends over money. They handed over their hard-earned cash only never to see it again.

But I’ve gotten tougher over the years and now say “no”.

If you can’t afford it now then in my view you can’t afford it all.

It’s too easy these days to splash out on a credit card and live on the never never.

If you are one of those people borrowing money from others, it’s time to take a good hard look at yourself.

It is not uncommon for us to fall into the a world of financial pain but it comes down to being diligent with your cash and working out why you are in that situation.

Gobbling down Uber Eats and sailing around the city racking up Uber fares is not going to do you any good. Often it starts with the very basics of finance — spending more than you earn will always end badly.

My suggestion is don’t ask others for money and don’t dish out cash either.

Being in control of your finances is a fantastic feeling.

@sophieelsworth