How do I ask my Uncle if he will borrow me money?

megmay2591
megmay2591 Posts: 621 Member
My boyfriend and I have been in a tight money situation for the last couple months, just barely skimming by till our next paychecks, paying rent late, and my boyfriend having to pay for my half of the rent. I've had my job for almost a month, but it's only 15 hours a week and I have to drive 30 minutes there and back! So I'm spending a lot of my income on gas. I've been searching for a second job, and just had an interview on Friday.

This month, my boyfriend can't pay my part of the rent and hardly his own because he has insurance and car payments to make. I'm tired of the stress from not having enough money for my necessities and I really need help financially.

About a year and a half ago my Uncle was driving me home from a family event and he told me that if I ever needed to borrow money, I could just ask him for help. So now I need money but I don't know how to ask him! Help!?
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Replies

  • KatieMae75
    KatieMae75 Posts: 391 Member
    Just say "Hey, do you remember that time you told me if I needed money, you'd borrow it to me? We're in a tight spot, can you help out?".
  • ironanimal
    ironanimal Posts: 5,922 Member
    Twitchy_46d91a_2042890.gif
    Now that's out of the way (it's lend!)...

    Just be upfront and honest. Tell him you need help, or you'll have to skip rent this month.
  • SMJ1987
    SMJ1987 Posts: 368
    If he brought it up on his own I think it's fine to go ahead and tell him that you would really appreciate taking him up on his offer. Keep in mind he may not be in the same financial position as he was and try to come up with a second option.

    Also, not to be a grammar nerd, but it's lend, not borrow, in this case.
  • onedayillbeamilf
    onedayillbeamilf Posts: 966 Member
    Just say "Hey, do you remember that time you told me if I needed money, you'd borrow it to me? We're in a tight spot, can you help out?".

    This
  • ScottFree_66
    ScottFree_66 Posts: 200
    send him a link to this post ;)
  • Drenched_N_Motivation
    Drenched_N_Motivation Posts: 1,004 Member
    Never borrow money from a relative. I suggest you find other means some how some way.
  • megmay2591
    megmay2591 Posts: 621 Member
    Never borrow money from a relative. I suggest you find other means some how some way.

    I can't imagine what that would be....
  • mikek333
    mikek333 Posts: 78 Member
    How many hours a week do you work? If it's less than 80, get a part time job.
  • drmerc
    drmerc Posts: 2,603 Member
    How do I ask my Uncle if he will *loan* me money?
  • srp2011
    srp2011 Posts: 1,829 Member
    How many hours a week do you work? If it's less than 80, get a part time job.

    ^^^^This^^^^ And please don't use the 'I can't find a job' line. You could babysit if nothing else, assuming you are honest, reliable and dependable. If you have those qualities and have any gumption whatsoever, you'll have a clientele built up in no time and be able to make quite a killing. If you don't have those qualities, or you're waiting for the perfect job that pays great but doesn't interfere with your life or require much effort, well good luck to ya...
  • Drenched_N_Motivation
    Drenched_N_Motivation Posts: 1,004 Member
    Maybe you could get a job as a Michelle Williams impersonator. :drinker:
  • megmay2591
    megmay2591 Posts: 621 Member
    How many hours a week do you work? If it's less than 80, get a part time job.

    ^^^^This^^^^ And please don't use the 'I can't find a job' line. You could babysit if nothing else, assuming you are honest, reliable and dependable. If you have those qualities and have any gumption whatsoever, you'll have a clientele built up in no time and be able to make quite a killing. If you don't have those qualities, or you're waiting for the perfect job that pays great but doesn't interfere with your life or require much effort, well good luck to ya...

    Did you not read my original post?! Wtf?! I said I was looking for a second job, and just had an interview on Friday. I'm not some freeloader, I'm a broke college student!
  • jillica
    jillica Posts: 554 Member
    Never borrow money from a relative. I suggest you find other means some how some way.
    ↑↑↑ This! It will effect your relationship - he will no longer be your uncle but the guy you owe money to. Anytime he sees you, if you happen to have a new outfit, new jewelry, or be eating out at a nice restaurant, he will be thinking, "WOW! They have enough money for that, but cannot pay me back."
  • megmay2591
    megmay2591 Posts: 621 Member
    Never borrow money from a relative. I suggest you find other means some how some way.
    ↑↑↑ This! It will effect your relationship - he will no longer be your uncle but the guy you owe money to. Anytime he sees you, if you happen to have a new outfit, new jewelry, or be eating out at a nice restaurant, he will be thinking, "WOW! They have enough money for that, but cannot pay me back."

    Well, I guess I'll just move my stuff to the street now, because I need to pay rent somehow!
  • ironanimal
    ironanimal Posts: 5,922 Member
    Never borrow money from a relative. I suggest you find other means some how some way.
    ↑↑↑ This! It will effect your relationship - he will no longer be your uncle but the guy you owe money to. Anytime he sees you, if you happen to have a new outfit, new jewelry, or be eating out at a nice restaurant, he will be thinking, "WOW! They have enough money for that, but cannot pay me back."
    That's crap. I'm assuming the OP will pay him back ASAP rather than frittering away the money she owes. Just be quick about paying him back and he'll respect you for it.
  • Deedsie
    Deedsie Posts: 348 Member
    I have never once lended money to family or friends. I have several times given money to family and friends in a tight situation, but in order to do so I had to know that they were struggling. Does your uncle know you are in trouble financially? If not, start there. Call him or go see him and say, my boyfriend has been paying my rent and he can't this month. I am looking for a second job but I feel very sunk right now. If he does know that you are in a tight spot then he probably can't help. If so, I suggest donating plasma, walking the highway and picking up cans to turn in at a local recycling place, and paying what you can on your rent along with presenting a plan on how you will get the rest (the second job and pawning possesions.) These are all things that I did during college to make ends meet. Sorry you are in a bad spot now, but try to stay positive and hopeful.
  • jillica
    jillica Posts: 554 Member
    Never borrow money from a relative. I suggest you find other means some how some way.
    ↑↑↑ This! It will effect your relationship - he will no longer be your uncle but the guy you owe money to. Anytime he sees you, if you happen to have a new outfit, new jewelry, or be eating out at a nice restaurant, he will be thinking, "WOW! They have enough money for that, but cannot pay me back."

    Well, I guess I'll just move my stuff to the street now, because I need to pay rent somehow!

    Sorry, I didn't mean to offend. Just something similar that happened in my family and the people avoid each other now. Good luck.
  • EBFNP
    EBFNP Posts: 529 Member
    I wouldn't lend any family or friend money EVER again. I lent my sister 2000 so she can pay her tuition bill. I am still waiting for it, and I don't talk to her anymore and we live in the same house! Be careful before you proceed is my warning....Family and money do not mix unless its a gift!
  • lour441
    lour441 Posts: 543 Member
    Borrowing money from family can become a bad situation. That said, I have had to do it and I have payed the money back. I have also been on the lending side and was paid back. I went into it never expecting to be paid back and that was fine. I was pleasantly surprised when it happened.

    If you ask for money I suggest you have a plan on how much money you need to get you through your rough spot.and what you are going to spend it on. I would also suggest you provide a payback plan in advance. Asking for just enough money to pay your share of the rent and having no plan to pay next months rent will leave you in the same position next month.

    Oh.. you might want to consider different living arrangements if you guys can't afford rent.
  • Drenched_N_Motivation
    Drenched_N_Motivation Posts: 1,004 Member
    Never borrow money from a relative. I suggest you find other means some how some way.
    ↑↑↑ This! It will effect your relationship - he will no longer be your uncle but the guy you owe money to. Anytime he sees you, if you happen to have a new outfit, new jewelry, or be eating out at a nice restaurant, he will be thinking, "WOW! They have enough money for that, but cannot pay me back."
    That's crap. I'm assuming the OP will pay him back ASAP rather than frittering away the money she owes. Just be quick about paying him back and he'll respect you for it.

    What do you know about it? You dont even know how much money she needs to borrow. What if she needs 1,500 dollars? She works 15 hrs a week and they cant make ends meet but shes somehow supposed to just give the money back in no time? I dont think so pal.
  • megmay2591
    megmay2591 Posts: 621 Member
    If you ask for money I suggest you have a plan on how much money you need to get you through your rough spot.and what you are going to spend it on. I would also suggest you provide a payback plan in advance. Asking for just enough money to pay your share of the rent and having no plan to pay next months rent will leave you in the same position next month.

    Oh.. you might want to consider different living arrangements if you guys can't afford rent.

    I was going to come up with some type of plan for how much I need. I do have a plan for next month, which is having a second job and getting caught up from being in a tough spot.

    Yes, find different living arrangements, that makes sense?! Wtf, really? I've never in my life had problems paying my rent before now. People get caught in jobs that don't pay well or that I must spend 1/3 of my paycheck on gas. I don't want to be in this situation, but right now I'm really behind.
  • megmay2591
    megmay2591 Posts: 621 Member
    Never borrow money from a relative. I suggest you find other means some how some way.
    ↑↑↑ This! It will effect your relationship - he will no longer be your uncle but the guy you owe money to. Anytime he sees you, if you happen to have a new outfit, new jewelry, or be eating out at a nice restaurant, he will be thinking, "WOW! They have enough money for that, but cannot pay me back."
    That's crap. I'm assuming the OP will pay him back ASAP rather than frittering away the money she owes. Just be quick about paying him back and he'll respect you for it.

    What do you know about it? You dont even know how much money she needs to borrow. What if she needs 1,500 dollars? She works 15 hrs a week and they cant make ends meet but shes somehow supposed to just give the money back in no time? I dont think so pal.

    I don't need $1500. I only need $150. I'm making some money, I just don't have enough!
  • ironanimal
    ironanimal Posts: 5,922 Member
    Never borrow money from a relative. I suggest you find other means some how some way.
    ↑↑↑ This! It will effect your relationship - he will no longer be your uncle but the guy you owe money to. Anytime he sees you, if you happen to have a new outfit, new jewelry, or be eating out at a nice restaurant, he will be thinking, "WOW! They have enough money for that, but cannot pay me back."
    That's crap. I'm assuming the OP will pay him back ASAP rather than frittering away the money she owes. Just be quick about paying him back and he'll respect you for it.

    What do you know about it? You dont even know how much money she needs to borrow. What if she needs 1,500 dollars? She works 15 hrs a week and they cant make ends meet but shes somehow supposed to just give the money back in no time? I dont think so pal.
    ASAP is just that...as soon as possible; not a fixed time constraint. Use good sense when you borrow money from ANYONE - pay it back, monthly if you have to borrow a lot of money, but don't expect anyone to forget about their money. I've borrowed and loaned to and from friends and family and never had any problems because I trusted people to pay me back, and they did, and the same goes for when I've borrowed.
  • Bahet
    Bahet Posts: 1,254 Member
    You're extremely defensive when someone gives a suggestion you don't like. That won't go over well with the uncle if you start the drama queen "I might as well move to the streets now" stuff with him if he dares make a suggestion.

    There are a million ways to make/save money. Sometimes it's not about making more but spending less. Don't eat out. Set the thermostat higher, unplug things, turn things off, cancel cable, don't spend money on frivolous things like hair and nails, etc. You can also make money by selling things you already own on Ebay or in a garage sale. Look for a plasma center and sell your blood. Babysit. Pet sit. Mow lawns, walk dogs, weed yards, clean houses/businesses, tutor, type papers, etc.
  • megmay2591
    megmay2591 Posts: 621 Member
    You're extremely defensive when someone gives a suggestion you don't like. That won't go over well with the uncle if you start the drama queen "I might as well move to the streets now" stuff with him if he dares make a suggestion.

    There are a million ways to make/save money. Sometimes it's not about making more but spending less. Don't eat out. Set the thermostat higher, unplug things, turn things off, cancel cable, don't spend money on frivolous things like hair and nails, etc. You can also make money by selling things you already own on Ebay or in a garage sale. Look for a plasma center and sell your blood. Babysit. Pet sit. Mow lawns, walk dogs, weed yards, clean houses/businesses, tutor, type papers, etc.

    The people I am "defensive" to are saying to not ask for money. The title of the thread asks how to ask him.
    I don't spend on hair or nails, I don't have cable, or even an antenna for tv. I have some old lady dishes to sell. Plasma probably won't be a good idea considering I work a very physical job and the only time I am near a Plasma center is when I am going to and from work. I haven't searched for any of the other work and I should, but I would also like to just have my thread question answered and not try to have my mind changed.

    Thanks!
  • shaynak112
    shaynak112 Posts: 751 Member
    You've obviously started doing some of the right things.
    Looking for a second job is obvious, but the economy SUCKS. With a college diploma and 4.0 GPA, I couldn't find a job for 4 months after graduation either. And then, it was still a part time job (although I'm getting 30+ hrs a week now so it's all good). Anyway. I know how hard looking for a job can be.

    Make sure you're applying to all jobs. Fast food. Retail. Customer service. Libraries. Yeah, the ones that pay minimum wage - better than nothing!
    See if you can babysit. Look after animals. Dog walk. Cleaning for a friend?

    Have a garage sale if you have some extra items.

    Can you do crafts? You can always try to sell some of your crafts as well.

    Have you thought about moving into a cheaper place? Even if it's a really small place, if you can afford it between the two of you, it's better than nothing.

    Do you keep in touch with your parents? Can they help you ask your uncle at all?
    How much are you hoping to ask your uncle for?
    Can you ask your parents for anything?
    WHEN you ask your uncle for a bit of money, let him know that you will pay it back ASAP.
    Let's say you're asking for $500 (I don't know the amount, so I'm just saying this.) When you have an extra $50, send it to him asap. That way he will know you're serious about paying it off and it will make you feel better too, trust me.

    I had to borrow money from my parents, I borrowed $400 I believe. I paid them off $50 by $50 whenever I could. It made me feel better to owe them $50 less. They kept saying "are you sure you can afford it?" I made sure I could, but I wanted to pay back what I could!
  • megmay2591
    megmay2591 Posts: 621 Member
    And if you would all really like to know, I'll tell you how much I make right now! I make $10.50 an hour and work about 15 hours per week. My first check was only $89 because it was short training days. My second check was $125 and my third was $135. I drive 25 miles to get to the job because it was the first place to call me back, and I needed a job. So since I've started I have made $349. I spend $30-$40 a week on gas so about $135 towards gas, then groceries for my boyfriend and I $100, then utility bill $25, and then not have enough money to buy deodorant and taking toilet paper from random stores. Trying to save up what's left over for rent, which is $235 for my portion. I want to make my own money, I'm just considering options in case I really NEED the money. I still have two weeks till rent is due (at the latest) so I could get another paycheck from my new job, in the meantime I'll search for something.

    I'm considering my options people.
  • megmay2591
    megmay2591 Posts: 621 Member
    You've obviously started doing some of the right things.
    Looking for a second job is obvious, but the economy SUCKS. With a college diploma and 4.0 GPA, I couldn't find a job for 4 months after graduation either. And then, it was still a part time job (although I'm getting 30+ hrs a week now so it's all good). Anyway. I know how hard looking for a job can be.

    Make sure you're applying to all jobs. Fast food. Retail. Customer service. Libraries. Yeah, the ones that pay minimum wage - better than nothing!
    See if you can babysit. Look after animals. Dog walk. Cleaning for a friend?

    Have a garage sale if you have some extra items.

    Can you do crafts? You can always try to sell some of your crafts as well.

    Have you thought about moving into a cheaper place? Even if it's a really small place, if you can afford it between the two of you, it's better than nothing.

    Do you keep in touch with your parents? Can they help you ask your uncle at all?
    How much are you hoping to ask your uncle for?
    Can you ask your parents for anything?
    WHEN you ask your uncle for a bit of money, let him know that you will pay it back ASAP.
    Let's say you're asking for $500 (I don't know the amount, so I'm just saying this.) When you have an extra $50, send it to him asap. That way he will know you're serious about paying it off and it will make you feel better too, trust me.

    I had to borrow money from my parents, I borrowed $400 I believe. I paid them off $50 by $50 whenever I could. It made me feel better to owe them $50 less. They kept saying "are you sure you can afford it?" I made sure I could, but I wanted to pay back what I could!

    I wish I could borrow from my parents, but they are also in a tight financial situation right now.
  • weighlossforbaby
    weighlossforbaby Posts: 847 Member
    Hey. I am going through the same thing...kinda. I was on ssi disability since I was 20 years old and it was terminated 7 years later after my husband came home from Iraq in 2010 when he got military unemployment so social security said I lost it because I am married and they go by his income. He got laid off last monday as an apprentice plumber and all the apprentices did too cause work was slowing down. His unemployment (which is less than half what he was getting) doesn't kick in til the 16th. His last check from his former job will just cover July's rent. We are rationing our food but my sis offered to send us a wamart gift card for food so the money we have left can go to other bills (utilities). I understand what you are going through and how the economy sucks. It's quick to judge before walking in their shoes. Good luck with the job search. Just be honest with your uncle and ask him if you could borrow some money, he's the one that offered.
  • foxyforce
    foxyforce Posts: 3,078 Member
    fulltime work is 40 hours per week

    and you are working 15

    why aren't you working fulltime?