I have this motto in life - 'Money can make or break relationships', so I invariably try to settle off all dues in time and also make sure that I lend moeny to people who are willing to settle money at the right time.
However, recently I am finding a little difficulty is asking people to settle their cash owed to me. I was wondering, how do you guys handle this? How do you tell people that they owe you money and that they should settle it without breaking the relationships?
I look at it like this, if you let someone borrow money, sometimes you may not ever see it back. Whether it's $10-$30, however, if they're a good friend of yours, they'll more than likely pay you back.
I have friends in the past that have never paid me back, so I don't help them out at all anymore. Some don't care to pay other people back when then borrow, but that right there shows you that the friendship was never genuine to begin with.
However, you can simply ask them "Do you have the money that I let you borrow?" If they say no, then that's the end of that friendship or you can give them sometime to pay you back.
I have a kind heart, so I help those that really need it in dire situations, but I will not loan money to anyone when I know it's not for a dire situation.
My dad was the same way, he would let me borrow money and of course, I paid him back. So, therefore, I only borrow when I absolutely need it and I know some people are out there that really need money in a certain time in their life, so I generally will try my best to help.
If a debt isn't paid back though, then perhaps, you could also tax them on those funds. So if they owe you $20, then up it to $40.