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You're listening to Life Kit. casts.

You're listening to Life Kit from NPR. Hey, what's up,

Hey, what's up everybody.

Andrew Lindbong here in for Mariel Segara. Okay, Life Kit is no stranger to tough, uncomfortable conversations that you maybe want to put off for as long as possible, especially when it comes to money and when it comes to

relationships and when it comes to mixing money and relationships. But today we're going to cover

a conversation that can outright end friendships.

So much of financial decisions involve emotions.

And if you want to ruin a relationship, lend somebody some money.

Lending money. And we're not talking about picking up the tab at dinner or spotting someone

for movie tickets. We're talking about covering someone's rent or car payment, a significant dollar amount for you, whatever

that may be.

And listen, if you're in a position to help out your friend or family, that's great.

It can strengthen the relationship and be beneficial for everyone involved.

When we engage in these communal activities, it reinforces our social bonds.

And so I think there's so much beauty in that. And ultimately, I think there's

beauty in knowing that the person that you love is not suffering anymore, that you gave them peace

of mind for some period of time.

But how do you know if you are in a position to help?

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