Friend Still Owes $8,000 For Move
DEAR HARRIETTE: My friend owes me $8,000 and hasn't been able to pay me back for a year. I have been asking her for so long, and every response I get is her telling me she will have it for me "soon." I loaned this money to her a year ago, and she moved to the state I am also located in. She used the money for her security deposit, first month's rent and additional moving expenses. At the time, I was happy to help, but now I wish I hadn't given her that kind of money. I trusted that she would pay me back, and I never imagined that a year later, I would still be waiting. I have tried to be patient because I know moving to a new state and getting settled can be expensive, but I am starting to feel like she is taking advantage of my kindness.
I don't want to ruin our friendship, but I'm afraid this has already made me not want to be friends with her once I get the money back. I worked hard for that $8,000, and there are things I could have used the money for this past year. How can I get my friend to pay me back without anything legally binding her to do so? -- Payback
DEAR PAYBACK: You may not be able to force your friend, but try another approach. Ask her to pay you back in monthly installments. Stress that you need the money and you don't want her negligence to destroy your friendship. If that doesn't work, try small-claims court. Even without a contract, you may be able to argue your point effectively.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I have friends who joke that now that they are of a certain age, the date they go on the most is with the doctor. That seems to be true for me, too. I am over 65, and I have frequent doctor visits for all kinds of things. What I am discovering is that most of my doctors are retiring or have already retired. It is so frustrating to work with the same doctors for years and have to start over again. One of mine just retired and didn't even say anything. I called to make an appointment and got word that he no longer worked there. Same happened with my dentist. A medical group actually bought him out, but he didn't bother to let me know. How can I make the transition to a new doctor smoother? This is difficult for me. -- New Doctor
DEAR NEW DOCTOR: Start talking to the doctors that you still have and ask them for referrals. Press them for recommendations on who might be the right doctor for you. Make sure you have copies of your medical records so you can have agency when it comes time to share your medical history with new medical professionals. If your doctors acknowledge that they will be retiring soon, try to get a timeline -- and then get busy finding a new healthcare provider before you have to fill a void.
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(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)
Copyright 2026, Harriette Cole
COPYRIGHT 2026 Andrews McMeel Syndication. This feature may not be reproduced or distributed electronically, in print or otherwise without the written permission of Andrews McMeel Syndication.
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