My mate recently lent me £5. Last week he came over for dinner in the garden, and I'd bought us both fish and chips. He asked if I had the £5 I owed him, and I said that was what I'd spent on his meal. He got upset about me "charging him for food", and said he'd do the same when I next visit him. But we usually cook for each other and don't make each other pay. Was it wrong to pay him back in fish and chips?
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Money Moral Dilemma: Was I wrong to pay my mate back in fish and chips?

MSE_Kelvin
Posts: 375 MSE Staff

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...
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Comments
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MSE_Kelvin said:He got upset about me "charging him for food", and said he'd do the same when I next visit him. But we usually cook for each other and don't make each other pay.
I don't blame him.16 -
You had no right to chose what his £5 was spent on.28
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Yes and where can you get fish & chips for £5?3
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Is it wrong I smiled at this....
Yes you were wrong.Forty and fabulous, well that's what my cards say....5 -
Raid your piggy bank and pay him back in loose change next time you see him!
How's it going, AKA, Nutwatch? - 12 month spends to date = 2.56% of current retirement "pot" (as at end January 2025)0 -
Bit cheeky! You were lucky you didn't get battered....18
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MSE_Kelvin said:This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...My mate recently lent me £5. Last week he came over for dinner in the garden, and I'd bought us both fish and chips. He asked if I had the £5 I owed him, and I said that was what I'd spent on his meal. He got upset about me "charging him for food", and said he'd do the same when I next visit him. But we usually cook for each other and don't make each other pay. Was it wrong to pay him back in fish and chips?
And this is yet another example of why we shouldn't lend or borrow with friends. Or anyone, if you can help it. Not even such small sums. Trouble ensues.
Give him his fiver and let's never speak of this again.Please note - taken from the Forum Rules and amended for my own personal use (with thanks) : It is up to you to investigate, check, double-check and check yet again before you make any decisions or take any action based on any information you glean from any of my posts. Although I do carry out careful research before posting and never intend to mislead or supply out-of-date or incorrect information, please do not rely 100% on what you are reading. Verify everything in order to protect yourself as you are responsible for any action you consequently take.12 -
Lover_of_Lycra said:Yes and where can you get fish & chips for £5?Please note - taken from the Forum Rules and amended for my own personal use (with thanks) : It is up to you to investigate, check, double-check and check yet again before you make any decisions or take any action based on any information you glean from any of my posts. Although I do carry out careful research before posting and never intend to mislead or supply out-of-date or incorrect information, please do not rely 100% on what you are reading. Verify everything in order to protect yourself as you are responsible for any action you consequently take.3
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It's not for you to decide what the money you owe is used for.Lost my soulmate so life is empty.
I can bear pain myself, he said softly, but I couldna bear yours. That would take more strength than I have -
Diana Gabaldon, Outlander0 -
Lover_of_Lycra said:Yes and where can you get fish & chips for £5?0
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