 Before you loan money, determine if it would put a strain on your finances, but if you have a sizable emergency fund, little or no debt, and a steady paycheck, making a loan might not be as difficult, depending on the size. It's also important to think about how likely you are to get the money back. If the person is responsible about paying their bills and experiencing a one-time financial crisis, being paid back might not be an issue. However, if it's someone with a history of being financially irresponsible, that could be a bigger risk, so loaner beware.