Dear Queenie,
My brother and I are both in our 30s. I have a good job and make good money, enough to live well and build up a savings account, but he isn’t doing so well (he earns enough to live on, but doesn’t have enough for any special treats) and keeps asking to borrow money that he never pays back.
Queenie, I’m sick of helping him out, but how do I make it stop?—Fed-up Brother
Dear Brother,
Just say “no.” You do not have to give him any excuses or explanations, just say “no” (as politely and pleasantly as you can manage) and stick to it, and make it clear that there will be no more handouts. But it would be good if you can help him find a way of increasing his income.
