Would you accept a monetary gift from a friend?

[limewave]

In a recent post I mentioned I was bummed about having to cancel some family plans because our budget is tight. One of those was an annual girls trip I take with DD where we meet up with 2 of my very good friends, both who have daughters a similar age as DD. This is the only time we see each other all year. The trip, including lodging, expenses, meals, and misc would cost about $400.

One of those friends has offered to pay for DD and I to go. She has come into a bit of money and said she can't think of a better way to spend it than with her friends. She said it wouldn't be the same without us

This is very generous and thoughtful of her. I have some really great friends. But I just don't feel right about taking her money. We aren't destitute. We aren't starving. We have everything we need . . . I just think I would feel guilty the entire vacation.

[Veronica]

I would do it. Your friend would not have offered if it was not important to her. I'd feel a little weird, but friendship has no price, really.

Veronica

[Thorn]

She said

she can't think of a better way to spend it than with her friends

There's your answer....be a friend. Go. Have fun. Your friend's immediate payback is you and your daughter having a great time and sharing experiences.

Years from now when this time is a distant, happy memory and finances are more secure, consider doing something similar for someone else....or remind your daughter of the time so that in her generation she can payback the favor.

Yeah, I'd feel wierd, too, but, as my grandfather used to say when he'd give me something and I'd feel wierd, "Smile. Say, 'Thank you.' And do the same some other day."

[MartianDestiny]

She said

There's your answer....be a friend. Go. Have fun. Your friend's immediate payback is you and your daughter having a great time and sharing expenses.

Years from now when this time is a distant, happy memory and finances are more secure, consider doing something similar for someone else....or remind your daughter of the time so that in her generation she can payback the favor.

Yeah, I'd feel wierd, too, but, as my grandfather used to say when he'd give me something and I'd feel wierd, "Smile. Say, 'Thank you.' And do the same some other day."

I agree 100%. Well said.

[rocknrollgirl]

I would go without hesitation and either pay it forward, or return the favor someday. Good friends are a rare gift and you are luckyt o have them.

[Zen]

She can be my friend.

[SheFly]

I agree with the others. You have a great friend, and that is worth more than anything. As Thorn said, you can pay it forward later, when your finances are in a different place.

Go and enjoy.

SheFly

[moderncyclista]

She can be my friend.

She also, is welcome to be mine. LOL.

I don't think there is anything wrong with friends helping friends out. My mother ran into a tough spot and her neighbor gave her $200 bucks. Said she didn't have to pay it back if she didn't want to. My mother who is in her 60's scrimped and saved (it took her 8 whole months) but she paid her back. She understood she didn't have to, but she wanted to. The kindness was invaluable to my mother though. Enjoy the kindness of others. If you have an opportunity to pay it back, do so. If you ever have the opportunity to pass on kindness in other forms - do so also. You are blessed to have good friends.