'AITA for asking my struggling friend to return the money I lent her after she went on luxury vacation?'

Friendship is one such relationship where people tend to do anything for the other person if they need anything. However, at times, if the friendship is one-sided, then the future of such a relationship is short and it often ends on a bad note. There have been many times that money does end up spoiling good friendships.

Recently, a 28-year-old woman on Reddit's popular "Am I the A**hole" forum shared an incident where she asked her "struggling" friend to return the money she lent her after the friend went on a luxury vacation.

Woman asks 'struggling' friend to return money after she felt betrayed

The original poster (OP) wrote on the AITA forum that she has been friends with 30-year-old Jess for more than 5 years and lent her $1,500 to help cover some bills as the latter hit a rough patch financially. She added that they made a plan for her to pay her back in installments over the next few months.

She wrote in the forum, "However, two weeks after I lent her the money, I saw on her social media that she went on a lavish vacation to Hawaii—staying at a fancy resort, posting photos of expensive meals, and enjoying excursions."

She continued, "I was shocked and felt betrayed. I texted her and asked if she planned on paying me back soon, explaining that I was struggling financially and could really use the money."

She added that Jess got defensive and said she was being too harsh and mentioned that she (Jess) had already planned the vacation months before asking her for help.

She wrote on the post that Jess told her she was overreacting and that she would pay her back when she could, but for now, she was "enjoying her life."

The woman concluded, "I’m frustrated. I understand that vacations were probably planned in advance, but it feels like she’s prioritizing luxury over paying me back. I’m really torn because I don’t want to lose the friendship, but I also don’t think it’s fair that she’s spending money on a vacation when she still owes me. AITA for asking her to pay me back?"

Internet sides with woman who made the AITA post

Several internet users sided with the woman who made the Reddit post. They said she was "Not The A**hole" (NTA) for asking for the money back.

One Reddit user commented on the AITA post, "NTA. Unless you’re rolling in dough at 26 …. Loaning someone $1,500 is a lot more taxing than loaning $20. I would be mad too."

Another wrote, "NTA. I had something similar happen to me with a roommate in college (not exact, though), so I can understand how angry you are. The person's response is typical for someone who was caught doing something wrong and trying to make you feel guilty for you completely legitimate feelings." 

"If they can go on a luxury vacation, they can pay you back. And, if they needed $1,500, then they should have cancelled the vacation. Enjoying her life is not a priority," they added.

One individual remarked, "Nta. But may be an expensive lesson you learned, never ever never lend money without a written and signed agreement that it is a LOAN and that there is a repayment plan. And never ever lend out money you you can't easily afford to never see again. There are too many people that never pay borrowed funds from friends or family back."

Another added, "NTA, I would be livid. Even if it was planned in advance, she should have made sure that the bills were paid first."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.