BD,

Wow, I thought that I was the only one that this happened to!
I'm probably more then a bit older then you are....I say that because I'm more then a bit older then most people I've met in our industry, and I've had good success in other businesses. I have a nice townhouse and a car. My partner has his own business and we don't believe in using credit cards just for the sake of immediate gratification. People who meet us think "these guys have money". Just like you I would do almost anything for a friend but when one of them asks us for money for a new camera, and one askes for $$ to have the hot tub fixed or a piece of artwork they just need so desperately....I really have to question that friendship. Do I look like Bank of America? I had two people ask me to bring them something specific from Berlin that they just had to have and did not offer to give me the $$ up front and didn't say a word about giving me the $$ when I got home. What's up with that???

Take heart and know that there are just folks like that in the world. Clear the rolodex of your life of these folks phone numbers and you'll be better off.

This is true: I have a friend who has no health ins. He has his own one man very successful biz and is from a wealthy family. He just refuses to spend the $$$ on the ins. Sure enough he had an emergency...kidney stones. Goes to hospital emergency room....gets A+ care and when they send him the bill he calls them and says he does not have the $$$ can he pay HALF over 12 months! They took half. He was so proud of himself he told everybody what a good negotiator he is. Oh did I mention he drives a brand new Lexus and only shops at the best shops!

Ok, you can see that your post pushed one of my buttons....enough venting for me!

"Never a borrower or a lender be." Denny Crane

Hugs,
Neil