As long as we are surrounded by people, we will definitely give loans out whether we like it or not. Sometimes our trust and compassion is the trap behind it all. I have observed and concluded that most people who give out loans end up in loss because their debtors don't often fufil their promises.
For some one like me, I don't have energy to be dragging issues with people, I know how loans often ends, most times it is either taken to the police or an elder is invited to intervene. The funniest part about it is that, someone you helped out of compassion may end up becoming enemy because he was not able to do the needful.
People forget that the person lending you money also has problems but chose to give you out because he loves you. I often advise people to zero their minds when lending money to others. Don't loan out money you can't easily let go. What I mean is if you know you can't easily gift a person the amount you are loaning him/her don't give it out.
In giving loans we are at risk of either letting the person go free at the end should in case he/she starts misbehaving or get set for the law court. Two things are always involved in loans, you either get your money back or you don't and sometimes you don't even get you money complete or the way you can use it for good, although there are good people who keep their promises.
My Story
Back in the 2013 while I was a Boys Brigader, we went for a camp at Benue. As usual my parents gave me pocket money, about three thousand naira. I was so happy, because then that money was huge, I came with food stuffs and they also give free food there, so I have special plans for my money.
I have a very good friend then who also went to the camp, i was also happy I have him around, atleast I won't be bored. Well, the first day was good with him around, we spoke about a lot as though we didn't come from the same place, during the conversation, he asked me how much I have as pocket money and I told him.
I didn't know his intentions, the next day after we were done with every activity he came and said I should please lend him one thousand five hundred naira from my pocket money, he wants to buy some stuffs, as soon as we are landing in town he would pay me off.
I felt really bad in my heart, I had never loan him money before but I knew somehow that he was not going to pay me back. I couldn't simply say no to him, I could not lie as well, I already told him I have money and even the precise amount.
I went ahead and gave him the money, in my mind i already said bye, bye to my money, when he took the money he thanked me and reassured me that he was going to give me as soon as we land in our place.
After the camp, we returned home and I didn't see him for a while and then when we finally met, he never spoke about the money and I didn't ask him because I don't want it to look like I was bothering him.
After a long time, he met me one day and was like I didn't forget your money o, that word pained me but I just waved it off my mind and considered the money as gift to him. Till date, I didn't hear anything concerning that money, I am sure he has even forgotten about it.
One of the biggest strategies I learnt in dealing with people in terms of loan is I don't give loans, I rather gift you the money or give you what I have. If you put you mind so much in the loan you lend to someone it can end up causing probly between you two.
This post was inspired by Hive Learners weekly prompts week 66 Edition 02 titled: Risky Loan. You can check it out.
