Ok, one of my best freinds of about 20yrs. His dad has been in the hospital for about 4 months now on and off. He owns his own business, chiropractor. He just got a pace maker put it. Now he is having lung problems. Been on a ventilator on and off. Not looking very good for the family.

They don't have alot of money. I talked to my buddy the other night and asked him what he needed. He wouldn't say anything, just that he is going to have to quit school and get a good job to help pay for some of his parents expenses. They have insurance, but as we all know it won't cover enough and hasn't yet. So I asked him what it would take for him to get by for the next 5 months. He said a couple grand. I told him it was done. He looked at me really surprised.

Mind you I am not rich, but I do really well for myself. I have given many freinds a couple hundred bucks to go have fun with if they are going on vacations and they don't have any money except to get where they are going.

So I told him in the next week I would give him a couple grand and to help his parents out and him. But he still should get a job if he can. Which I have him lined up for a pretty good one if he wants it. I just don't know what else I can do. If there are any suggestions let them fly.

Thanks

Just one: Make sure that "couple grand" is NOT a loan. If you are giving him the money - GIVE him the money. Nothing like a borrower/lender relation to screw up friendship.

Sounds like he was asking for money. If you got it give it up. I mean GIVE also. It's sure to come back to you in some way.

Fireman,
You deserve kudos for looking out for your buddy. But be carefull, as previously mentioned. Specify to him whether it is a gift or a loan. I have given my wifes sisters and their husbands money on numerous occasions, to the extent of a couple of grand. Luckily I dont ever expect to see it back. I give it because I just happen to have it. They get all friendly with us when then need something, but they ignore us any other time. I guess we are the suckers for trying to be nice and help them out.

My $0.02. YMMV.

:beer: for looking out for your buds and their families. We all can be doing more of that.

IMHO, the terms really don't matter, as long as you're all thinking the same thing, i.e. gift, loan, etc.

ChiXJeff

What about some kind of fund-raiser? Bake sale type stuff?? Better yet, a 4wd event with the proceeds to go to your friend's family.


EX

A loan is trickier than just giving it to him, but it can be pulled off. But a loan makes it business, and giving it to him keeps it personal.

I don't know if you are past the point of declaring the money as a gift, donation, or loan. It doesn't sound like you are all that concerned which is a good indication of the kind of person you are; i.e. helping a friend in need. If your friend and their family is truely thankful, they will likely repay you when their finances are in order again. Not everything is how day-time TV courtrooms portray them to be.

Originally posted by DRM
Just one: Make sure that "couple grand" is NOT a loan. If you are giving him the money - GIVE him the money. Nothing like a borrower/lender relation to screw up friendship.

Yep, if you're going to help out, make sure it's a gift, and that you will NEVER expect anything in return. Leave the loans to the bank. Sounds like this family was an extension of your own family kudo's for helping.

However, if you look at the big picture, everyone has their own problems. I really don't see how a couple grand can even help in the grand scheme. It's one thing if they are in an immediate SHORT term need to prevent loosing a house or something. Unfortunately this sounds a bit worse than that. You loaning them money MAY only prolong what really needs to be done. IE searching for some sort of long term finacial aid/disability or what not.

One way or another, problems always seem to work themselves out.

Sorry its been awhile since I posted on this, but yeah I just gave it to him, under no circumstances. I told him that isn't the first time i have given anyone that amount of money and never expected it back. Hell it all comes back around some way or another. His dad is still in the hospital, gone and seen him a couple times. And yeah he did need some short term money to help his family out to get thru a couple months to get back on there feet since there main support wasn't working. Thanks for all the input. Appreciate it.

fireman0977, don't wear a hat dude 'cause it'll interfere with your halo! Kudos to you. I don't believe in pimping out friendship either. It's a gift freely given. We need more people like you in this world...just not in politics! :D