Im only 17 and have had a job for the last year. I just recently opened a bank account and as of right now there is only 40 bucks in it. I spend more money on other people than myself. I can't say no to my friends and when they ask me for some money I say no and they get all pissed at me. So to prevent that I give it to them.. they don't ask for specific amounts they just ask for me to buy them somethng and I do but never get paid back or anything. One girl just smokes a cigarette with me as if that would do something and she's the main one always asking me to buy her something. We went to the movies one day and I endeed up buying her a medium drink a medium popcorn and two boxes of candy and that was 10 bucks alone and I only got a drink and a box of candy. I was really upset because I had to pay for her ticket too.. im supposed to be saving up money to go down to philadelphia this summer because I will be out of work for three months during the summer and people don't understand my situation they just worry about themselves and I'm sick of this and it affects me because if my parents need to borrow money since things are tight than I don't have it to give to them because my friends pretty much control my money. At least my parents will borrow money and pay me back as soon as they get it. I have no problem with my parents borrowing it its just my "friends" I feel like they use me and take advantage of it they don't understand that I have to take a cab to work every single day and spend 20 bucks on that because I have to get there by 4 and when I ask my friends for a ride or something they can say no and don't expect me to get mad or anything or they will charge me for a ride I really want this to stop how can this happen.. I got a job for a reason and that was to help me and my family out if needed not for my so called friends to keep asking me for it.what should I do? My mom gets upset because I spend it all on my friends and I feel bad. I can't even buy myself new clothes because every time I'm buying something and my friends are there they take advantage and buy expensive things like a ton of candy or two drinks and I can't keep doing it and they just don't want to hear it..

Hello xx:

Then find some friends that DON'T do that, and you'll never have to bring it up. You just need to say no. If that's NOT good enough for your friends, they are NOT your friends.

Look, you're young. You're going to have to learn to STAND up for yourself, or you're looking at a LIFETIME of being a VICTIM. Victims get beat up, divorced, ripped off, raped, and other extremely unpleasant things.

excon

You can try the white lie approach. Just tell them because of past sending habits your parents are taking your checks and putting them away for you. And issuing you an allowance.

Or just tell the truth. You can't afford moochers like them. When are they getting a job and taking you out or paying you back? If they get mad or can't respond because of a gaping mouth then they aren't your friend in the first place. Stop the cycle.

How about just not telling people that you have money? When, and if, they ask tell them that you have started to make a habit not to loan money because you are saving up for your future.

Learn to say NO and mean it, and get some real friends.

Say NO, or start asking them to buy you things sometimes.

Can I borrow 10 bucks?