I created a policy long ago about how I go about lending money to friends.
I will give them $20; in my head, it’s a gift. If they give it back, that means that they put effort in to get me the money back. If they say, “Oh I don’t have it this week or can I get it to you next week?” At least they put in the work in the effort to communicate that to me. But if I never see that twenty dollars back, why would I lend them more money.
I treat my time and effort the same way. If they’re not going to put in the effort to match my level of friendship, they don’t need that level of importance in my life either.
I am always here for those who need it, but once you show me the value of what I give you, that tells me what you think of my time and effort. (i.e. Don’t ask for my advice if #1 you don’t want the truth, #2 you plan to disregard my suggestions. I will charge for any advice after the first is ignored. Don’t believe me, it’s in my “about me” section on Facebook, has been since ~2010.)
