4 Sneaky Ways People Have Manipulated Money Out of Me

I've previously mentioned that I don't let people borrow clothes anymore, and, I must say, letting people borrow money goes hand in hand with that decision.

I don't enjoy having owed expenses looming over my head. It's always an uncomfortable conversation confronting someone about money, and I always feel uneasy when I know I'm owed a small or large amount. Luckily, no one ever really asks to borrow money, so it's usually a situation I don't encounter. Well, kind of.

Instead of outright asking to borrow money, I've encountered some shady approaches to getting dollars out of me. Keep reading for four sneaky ways people have manipulated money out of me.

 

1. Claiming They'll Get the Next One

During a friends trip, two of my pals went to a workout class one morning that I opted out of, and to save time during what would be a very busy day, they asked if I'd stop at CVS to pick up some household items and grab them coffee while I was at it. I had the time, so I didn't mind the task, but I didn't like that they didn't give me any money upfront. "We'll get one of your next meals," they said. Sure enough, when it came time to pay the bill at a restaurant later that day, they unrightfully claimed that we've all gotten each others' stuff over the course of the weekend and that what I paid earlier in the day was already accounted for due to previous expenditures.

Aria with coffee

(Pretty Little Liars via Freeform)

 

2. 'Unknowingly' Taking Along a Maxed-Out Credit Card

Ah, the good ol' maxed-out credit card. I have a friend who's known among our peers as a mooch, going out and knowingly not having money on her credit card. I like hanging out with this girl and wanted to give her the benefit of a doubt, but got caught in her web of money manipulation. We went to a nice restaurant, and she happily indulged. When the bill came, she casually held out her credit card. When the server came back and said the card was declined, guess who was left with the burden of her bill once she appeared completely shocked that she "grabbed the wrong card"? I eventually got the money back, but not until a month later after awkwardly harassing her for the $65 amount.

Unsplash: Woman enjoying pasta in a restaurant

(via Unsplash)

 

3. Saying I Owe Them for Some Long-Forgotten Expense

Gotta love when a months-old Lyft ride comes back to haunt you. I went out to dinner with a friend in October, and when the bill came, they conveniently remembered $10 I owed them from a shared ride that happened in February. You've got to be kidding me. Mind you, this was a close friend, so, by this point, I figured it was friends being friends and letting a measly $10 fly under the radar. When they mentioned the owed amount, I was totally taken aback, but there was nothing I could do since technically I guess they did spot me way back when.

Wallet With Money

(via Unsplash)

 

4. Causing a Scene Over a Minimal Amount

Five bucks here, a few dollars there—money adds up! While with some people there's a mutual understanding that every dollar counts, other people don't have the same perspective. With certain friends, I don't care at all because I know they're happy footing the bill at times just to be nice, but with the less generous folks, I feel compelled to ask for that $5 latte money to be returned. And what do you know, there will always be that friend who makes such a stink over the fact that I asked for such a minimal amount back that I end up rescinding the request to avoid conflict.

Shutterstock: Two women arguing or debating each other

(via Shutterstock)

 

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