Friends & Money. Where Do We Draw The Line?

We live in an age where friendship by both terms and definition has changed so dramatically. True friends still exist and the value of good friends goes unwithered. However, in a world filled with parasites and opportunists. Where do we draw the line? How do we discern between who is and who isn’t? How can we tell who is for us and who isn’t? How can we tell who genuinely needs help and who doesn’t?

Writing this piece is some what personal and painful. Because I too have felt the vampirious sting of users and posers. Over the next few days, my blogs are going to take a slight turn and take you into a few of my stories and journies. Let’s get started, shall we?

The journey to becoming me hasn’t been an easy one. It has been a road filled with adventures, excitement, betrayal and heart break. Here is a list of friends to beware of!!!

Friend 1 – The User
We all have that one friend that we very well know is bad. Bad all around. Possible criminal record. Yet still we keep them around because they are fun. We also assume that this person will use everybody but us. Error! Once an alligator, always an alligator. He may be a pet now, but give him time and you will see just how much of a pet he/she really is.

Friend 2 – The Conartist
Another kind of friend to beware of, is the one who is always the victim in his or her stories. Yet everyone you know says differ. Either that or they justify, with seemingly logical reason why they did what they did. A conartist is every seeking his next victim or weak prey. The only reason you may have not gotten scammed yet, is because he/she hasn’t found that right pitch or weak moment.

Friend 3 – The ComeUp
Some people are only your friend when you are up and running, or on the verge of a breakthrough. They are by your side during the good times, and when they can sense that you are headed some where in your career or finances. But will disappear at the first sight of you losing it all or worse, possibly needing them.

Friend 4 – The Secretly Envious
This type of friend commonly starts out as a “bestfriend.” You mean the world to them. And them to you. Once you are not doing better than them. These type of friendships start based on a common problem, mindset or pain. Once one person starts to elevate past the other. The one left behind secretly resents, and at the first sign of success swoops in to collect anything and everything they can or feel entitled too.

Friend 5 – The Frienemy
As the word suggests, a frienemy is a friend who is secretly an enemy but poses as a friend. Unlike the secretly envious, this person hates you and wishes for your down fall. They get excited and take joy in you having a bad day or bring down on your luck. They will take as much from you as possible while they can because they know that it’s only a matter of time before this whole thing blows up.

Friend 6 – The Newbie
Becareful with new friendships. While the saying is true that, “some people you have recently met, will treat you better and be more loyal than others you may have known for years.” This is not always true. Do remember that you know nothing about this person other than what they have told you or shown you so far? Identity and personality are revealed with time. More so, this person has no emotional connection or attachment to you so betrayal and hurt can be easy. Another point to remember is that you are just getting to know this person and may not know what offends them. Some people get offended easily and are very good at hiding it, which is when resentment can grow.

Friend 7 – The Old Begger
These friends have done nothing substancial for you, and have typically gave you nothing. It is a one-sided relationship, and they typically only appear when they want something.

Friend 8 – The Liar
This friend always wants something. They have the most problems and need the most loans, which they never repay offcourse.

All in all, it is best not to mix friendship and money. Especially if that person means anything to you. Gifts should be give out of charity. And loans without expecting repay. Friends should be weighed by the time known, actions not words, patterns and mindsets.