Based on your financial expertise, provide your response or viewpoint on the given financial question or topic. The response format is open.

Someone asks you to co-sign a loan. How to reject & say “no” nicely or politely?
I really don't feel co-signing this loan is in the best interests of either of us.  Lets talk about the amount of money you need and perhaps I can assist you in another way. I would be honest and tell them it isn't a good deal for anybody, especially not me.  I would then offer an alternative "loan" of some amount of money to help them get financing on their own.  The key here is the "loan" I offer is really a gift and should it ever be returned I would be floored and overjoyed.  I wouldn't give more than I can afford to not have. Part of why I'd be honest to spread the good word about responsible money handling.  Co-signed loans (and many loans themselves) probably aren't good financial policy if not a life & death or emergency situation.  If they get mad at me it won't matter too much because they are family and that won't change.