A woman is considering gifting 5,000 euros to friends struggling to buy a house, but is unsure if mixing money and friendship is wise. Her own financial situation is significantly different due to early homeownership aided by family wealth, contrasting sharply with her friends’ difficulties in the competitive housing market.

Various perspectives offer different approaches to this dilemma. Some advocate for unconditional giving, emphasizing that generosity without expecting anything in return strengthens friendships. Others caution against it, suggesting that it can create an unequal dynamic or lead to further requests.

Alternative suggestions include offering a loan at a friendly interest rate or providing support in less direct ways, such as frequent gestures of goodwill like covering expenses at social gatherings.

One person shared a story of anonymously receiving money after a disaster, using it for something valuable without ever discovering the giver’s identity. Another recounted a negative experience where offering a loan ended a friendship.

Some respondents highlight the importance of avoiding judgment regarding the recipients’ spending habits if one chooses to give. Another suggested gifting anonymously. One person recounted donating after inheriting money.

The article also poses a new dilemma for the next installment: A man seeks advice on how to support his best friend whose wife has a mental illness that is negatively impacting his family life. Readers are invited to share their thoughts on this issue.