He said he would pay me back $500 a month.
Well, he couldnt handle that because he kept losing his job.
Then he started paying me $250 a month.
He paid me up to $8,000 and then stopped when he owed me the last $2,000.
After that, he never tried to pay me back.
I feel like I was cheated and used.
Is there anything I can do about this?
-Feeling Used
Dear Feeling,
Move on.
Let go of the hope that youll ever collect that final $2,000.
But 14 years have passed since you made this loan.
The laws vary by state and whether you had a written or oral contract.
But its likely that the statute of limitations has long passed by now.
Maybe hes changed in the years since you broke up.
But the odds of getting him to voluntarily pay up seem extraordinarily slim.
I dont think $2,000 is worth the price of opening old wounds.
Your Email AddressSend Your Question
DISCLAIMER: Questions will appear in The Penny Hoarders Dear Penny column.
We are unable to answer every letter.
We reserve the right to edit and publish your questions.
But dont worry your identity will remain anonymous.
Thank you for your question!
Your willingness to share your story might help others facing similar challenges.
While we cant publish every question we receive, we appreciate you sharing your question with us.
Ask Another Question
Is this really about the money?
Or are you seeking closure for your feelings about this relationship?
Keep in mind that plenty of people walk away from a relationship feeling used even when money isnt involved.
The $2,000 he still owes you is easy to focus on because its quantifiable.
No Interest Til Almost 2027?
That doesnt absolve him of responsibility, of course.
Its just that in tough times, you were probably easier to blow off compared to his other creditors.
Think about what this experience taught you.
Are there any takeaways you’re free to apply to current or future relationships?
Are there any boundaries about lending money that, in hindsight, you wish you set?
With the money off the table, theres no reason to contact your ex again.
Youve closed that chapter of your life.
Chalk this up to an expensive lesson learned.
Robin Hartill is a certified financial planner and a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.
Send your tricky money questions to[email protected].
(Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)
You know which ones were talking about: rent, utilities, cell phone bill, insurance, groceries…
