[Rain]

I don't think you can help her right now. But when her finances start crashing you can be there for her. She's young and can probably survive a bankruptcy easily. (I don't know much about UK bankruptcies, but it's certainly not the end of the world in the US system.)

So if you were thinking of lending her any money, save it for later when she'd appreciate it more.

Sceptic..hitch hike? :=o

I actually believe in using credit more liberally. I like those 0% balance transfer offers, charging on credit cards that give rewards and miles. I like the idea of mortgages where I can use debt to acquire a few times more than what I can currently afford.

I thought credit ratings/scores and whatever other laws you have in each countries regarding who can actually obtain what kinds of credit should have prevented your friend from severely overextending herself. Yep, blame big governman

[Elianna]

You should listen to Rob, he is THE EXPERT on finances.

[mike777]

"...otherwise subsidize her unsustainable lifestyle...."


Why not, this would seem to be a very useful skill for her to learn to be able to pull off. I certainly do not begrudge someone who is able to master this skill.

It seems very biased to assume everyone must be able to afford a rich lifestyle on their own. Different strokes for different folks.

[Elianna]

mike777, on Feb 5 2008, 03:19 PM, said:

Why not, this would seem to be a very useful skill for her to learn to be able to pull off.

This would make her a good politician, they have to get thousands of people to give them money.

[kenberg]

I think spending money you don't have is dumb. On the other hand, when I was young I went swimming in a Minnesota lake in March. That was dumber. So good luck to her. Maybe it will work out fine.

There was also the time I tried to outrun a cop while driving a car with no muffler. Somehow he was able to find me.


I recently saw Gigi on TCM, with Maurice Chevalier singing "I'm glad I'm not young anymore". He has a point.

Maybe you should have her take you out to dinner. She has Visa.

[sceptic]

Elianna, on Feb 5 2008, 10:27 PM, said:

You should listen to Rob, he is THE EXPERT on finances.

thats is no recommendation, it is experts on finance that thought up all the schemes, so people with no money can get in debt and borrow more than they can afford(and trying to use the excuse that people are the makers of their own misfortune, is a pretty poor excuse, people are gulliable when it comes to finances)

this is not a personal attack on Rob btw

[Elianna]

sceptic, on Feb 5 2008, 09:28 PM, said:

Elianna, on Feb 5 2008, 10:27 PM, said:

You should listen to Rob, he is THE EXPERT on finances. 

thats is no recommendation, it is experts on finance that thought up all the schemes, so people with no money can get in debt and borrow more than they can afford(and trying to use the excuse that people are the makers of their own misfortune, is a pretty poor excuse, people are gulliable when it comes to finances)

this is not a personal attack on Rob btw

No, I meant personal finance. Not Finance as an academic subject, but on an individual basis.

[han]

Rob? Are you talking about Sheepman?

[sceptic]

Hannie, on Feb 6 2008, 04:32 PM, said:

Rob? Are you talking about Sheepman?

Personal Finance is what I am talking about, the sharp practices they use are a lot of the problems

a small side note, I meant to quote the post above this one (fat finger syndrome)

[Elianna]

Hannie, on Feb 6 2008, 08:32 AM, said:

Rob? Are you talking about Sheepman?

No, Rob who posted above.

Quote

Personal Finance is what I am talking about, the sharp practices they use are a lot of the problems

I'm sorry that I even brought this up, it was kinda an inside joke that you are being taken too far. Rob doesn't do "Personal Finance", I meant that he's a good person to talk to about taking care of your personal, financial situation. That is why I used lower case letters. You seem not to understand this, and to want to continue maligning him in a public setting. I'm done.

[rbforster]

As the Rob in question, I appreciate Eli's endorsement and I hope I gave good advice. While I am indeed very knowledgeable on most things personal finance-related (and many things finance related too, as that is now my job), this is not really the issue for the young lady in question. For now this is mainly a question of her personal priorities and relationship issue for OP as to how he can best handle the situation and preserve his friendship while still trying to be helpful. This is certainly not the first time someone has seen a friend heading into financial troubles due to their questionable choices, and the advice I gave above generally holds for these sorts of situations.

To reiterate, be supportive but not a pest about your views, be available for advice when and if they decide to seek it, and never ever loan them money.