If Aunt Edna calls you and asks you for money, what would you do? Many of us would immediately react in their heads with a yes, but the real issue is whether you are actually helping Aunt Edna at your own expense. This article suggests that you say no.
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The issue is to not derail your own finances at the risk of helping another. What you should do is express empathy, reference your financial obligations to explain why you don’t have the money to lend, offer advice if appropriate to give some insight on better financial management, direct them to other resources and then expect to feel guilt about saying no to the family member. The first person you should help is yourself.