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Relationships > Troubled and Abusive Relationships Forum > Friends Using You For Money, Lottery Etiquette
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Q: Friends Using You For Money, Lottery Etiquette
asked by: listen2me on February 19th, 2009
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Okay, say for instance you have won the lottery. You've won so much that you don't have to work or worry about a career for the rest of your life. You invested much of the money into stocks, property, and mutual funds. You've also donated to charity. Basically, you've kept it on the down-low, because it's hard to explain to people the magnitude of money that you have and you want to remain somewhat modest.
Basically, your friends are all college dropouts in which you will be friends with forever, but you weren't so popular with them, I mean, they called you, but not so much, they all moved elsewhere, and you went to the bottom of their friend list, so to speak. No one really called you, therefore it seemed no one really cared.
Then, you win the lottery, and you buy a fairly contemporary home in an undisclosed community, near some friends who stuck it through with you. So, you are wondering how to treat these friends, but not treat them too much to the point that they expect to be treated everytime. Say for instance, you go out to eat with say, 2 friends, and they are hard working college students, one works 2 jobs while one is currently unemployed. Now, you paid for the bill at the restuarant of course, because, 50 bucks is nothing to you, and they really have to watch their money. But now, your worried that they will expect you to do this everytime. And to be quite honest, you've paid for their things several times, on specific days like, thier birthday or christmas. But, your worried that they will start to think that your their "sugar-mom/dad". On several occasions, they will nonchalantly ask for rent money, such as $475, which really made you mad. Also, you are starting to recieve phone calls and actual contact with the "friends" who abandoned you when they moved away. This makes you angry, because you seem to think that ever since you've gotten rich it seems people are more interested, hence you think all they are interested in is the money you've acquired. You really don't know how to treat them back and you are somewhat hurt by this. I mean, how would you feel if an old crush called you out of the blue and says "We should go out to dinner sometime soon.." when 2 years ago, he turned you down, and wouldn't include you in things?

Basically my questions are stated above, but I will put them more simply if you don't feel like reading...
1. If you go out to eat with friends, should you offer to pay, and should this be something you offer everytime?

2. What would you say to people who basically excommunicated themselves with you for several years and are all of a sudden calling?

3. How can you feel comfortable and explain to people how you've acquired the things you have?

4. How can you let your guard down basically, like, when your thinking people are only hanging out with you because you have money and nice things?

5. For instance, say your in best-buy, and this clown you are with jokingly asks you if you would buy him a new laptop, what would you say back?

6. People in which wouldn't ever even give you the time of day before are calling you and wanting to hang out...what should you say? I say yes, but don't let them take advantage of you...

7. How do you make yourself feel better when you are constantly feeling used, and people keep saying "lighten up" but they have no clue what your going through?

8. If someone asks for you to help with their rent, what would you say? Because you don't want to be the one who everyone comes to when people can't (or don't want to) pay their rent.
And you also don't want to sound like an uncaring scrooge.

Thanks
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zigemyster
replied on February 19th, 2009
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I've given my answer to each of your questions....(interesting)...

1. If you go out to eat with friends, should you offer to pay, and should this be something you offer everytime?

Answer: Not always. If you want to pay then go for it, if not everyone should be on the same page up front that going out will be dutch (each pays for their own unless someone else wants to pick up the tab)

2. What would you say to people who basically excommunicated themselves with you for several years and are all of a sudden calling?

Answer: I would ask what they have been up to the past several years and what brings them to you? Wonder how many will choke?

3. How can you feel comfortable and explain to people how you've acquired the things you have?

Answer: If they ask, you work and if they ask beyond that then I consider that truly none of their business. However that is up to you.

4. How can you let your guard down basically, like, when your thinking people are only hanging out with you because you have money and nice things?

Answer: Never let your guard down completely, just be aware of your surroundings and the discussions...you will soon find out who is real and who is not.

5. For instance, say your in best-buy, and this clown you are with jokingly asks you if you would buy him a new laptop, what would you say back?

Answer: Clown asks then I would respond 'well, keep saving your money and who knows it may be on sale by then'...

6. People in which wouldn't ever even give you the time of day before are calling you and wanting to hang out...what should you say?

Answer: I would acknowledge their gesture and politely decline due to other commitments, unless you want to give them a 2nd chance and see if they are for real or otherwise.

7. How do you make yourself feel better when you are constantly feeling used, and people keep saying "lighten up" but they have no clue what your going through?

Answer: Therapy may help Smile

8. If someone asks for you to help with their rent, what would you say? Because you don't want to be the one who everyone comes to when people can't (or don't want to) pay their rent.

Answer: I believe in personal responsibility. However if I know of someone who is responsible and they asked for rent money....I would have a discussion with that person as the money that you are about to part with is yours and you have that right to ask. If you decide to pay rent ONE time make that understood and that you do not want to be paid back that it is a gift and he/she should tell no one else and from that point on he/she is on their own. Give rent money to the landlord.

I hope I have helped in some way Smile
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listen2me
replied on February 19th, 2009
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very good
very clever answers, intrigued by this, completely...
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whwhwhw
replied on March 18th, 2009
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Never marry outside your species...
Very simple: Birds of a feather flock together.

Hang out with people with the SAME amount of money as you or even more.

Money does NOT change people...it UNMASKS them!
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zigemyster
replied on March 19th, 2009
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It may unmask some people but not everyone wears a mask...
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deteragram
replied on March 19th, 2009
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zigemyster gave you some very good advice. If I had the available funds, I would give my TRUE friends a one time lump sum with a carefully thought out letter saying something like this. (I'm assuming that these people know about your money.) I have been blessed with a windfall and wanted to share it with the people I care about... Then I would make it a point to mention to them how much it bothered me when people ask me to buy things or borrow money and how it makes me wonder if they really like me or just my money. If they ask you for a loan or a hand out after that it is clear that they are only in it for the money and should be cut out of your life.
I wouldn't dump my true friends but it is a good idea to also make friends who are closer to your income level so some of these thing are not issues.
As for the paying for meals, if you have agreed to meet friends for a meal, first make sure it's a place they can afford. You may have moved up to places that serve seven course meals but if they can only afford McDonald's, then you should meet at McD's and let them pay for themselves.
Those who have suddenly turned up in your life would get a polite brush off and I wouldn't waste my time trying to figure out their motives. Life is too short for all that potentially wasted time and effort.
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sammyelckenstein
replied on March 20th, 2009
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What kind of person wins millions in the lottery and does not share it with their true friends? The joy of winning the lottery should not be the fancy new house and car you've purchased, but the feeling you get by giving a portion of it away. Sure, treat yourself and live in luxury, but now is not the time to be selfish. Giving a measely 10% to friends and another 10% to family will not affect your new standard of living, but will likely change their lives forever.

That being said, you need to know who your TRUE friends are. Who would have an open door if you fell on hard times?

Be good to your friends, and they will be good to you... chances are you'll need their support in the future.
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