 If I'm lending money, I'm assuming it's a gift. I'm assuming it's not going to get paid back. And so then from my end, I have to know that that's money I'm willing to lose. Which brings us to takeaway two. Make this decision based on your own finances, your own budget. Don't let guilt be the main driver here, which means, well, first off, you should have a budget. Know what's coming in, what's going out. Know what's in your emergency fund. And then, says Michelle, have a little miscellaneous life happens fund.