Too embarrassed to ask for money you’ve lent out? Maybe that’s not such a bad thing…

Money shouldn’t be a taboo subject, says Rachel Pearce, but lending to others without expecting repayment is a biblical precept.

A new survey from Moneyboat suggests Brits are so afraid to ask for money back from friends and family after footing the bill that we’re ending up hundreds of pounds out of pocket each year. Added to this, we’re shelling out for social events we can’t afford because we can’t bring ourselves to admit that money’s tight. Sound familiar?

I have a cousin who frequently leaves her purse at home, then conveniently forgets to pay me back. I once paid for an expensive dinner she invited me to – including a full bottle of wine she drank alone. Another time she asked if I had any spare Christmas gifts she could buy for my kids, as she’d left it too late. I wrapped a couple of toys and my littles were made up by her generosity. I never received a penny or even a thank you.