The 5-Rand Mistake That Taught Me to Never Lend (or Borrow) Money Again
You’ll want to read this before you say “sure, I’ll pay you back.”
You’ll want to read this before you say “sure, I’ll pay you back.”
At 11 years old, I ruined my entire summer with one dumb decision.
It all started with chicken feet, a crush, and a 5-Rand coin burning in my pocket.
I thought I was being smooth—spending my pocket money to impress a girl. But what I didn’t know was that I was about to learn the most expensive lesson of my life… with the tiniest amount of money.
Here’s how that innocent 5 Rand taught me more about money than any adult ever did:
Flashback to Grade 5: The Rise of Our Pocket Money Empire
Every day, my mom handed me 5 Rand. What did I do?
- Spent it on chicken feet to impress girls
- Spammed it at arcade machines like they printed money
- Saved exactly… nothing
Enter: the genius idea.
One of my friends suggested we start saving our pocket money. At the end of the term, we’d split the pot and each go crazy with our dream purchases. For me, it was a TV game console.
To my surprise, I was elected Treasurer. Why?
> Probably because I was the quiet one—and quiet kids look trustworthy.
I took the job seriously. I walked home instead of taking a taxi. I stopped buying snacks. I stopped flexing for girls. I was laser-focused.
Discipline? Check.
Responsibility? Check.
TV games? Loading…
Desire Is a Sneaky Little Devil
Then one day, I cracked.
I missed the arcade.
I missed the thrill.
I missed the buttons, the beeps, the blinking lights.
So I borrowed from the savings.
“I’ll just take a little,” I told myself.
Before I knew it… the coins were gone. All of them.
Panic.
Guilt.
Sleepless nights.
How was I going to explain this to my crew? How do you say, “Hey guys, I gambled away your money pretending to be Ryu in Street Fighter”?
Enter: Mom, The Unexpected Hero
My mom noticed something was off. I wasn’t myself.
One day, she sat me down and asked what was wrong. I confessed everything—ready for the lecture of the century.
But she surprised me.
She paid the money back. Then she looked me dead in the eye and said:
> “Let this be the last time you take what isn’t yours.”
That hit deeper than a beating ever could.
Fast Forward: The Lending Trap
Years later, grown and wiser (or so I thought), I broke my own rule.
An ex I hadn’t spoken to in months hit me up, desperate for help.
> “Just till month-end, I promise. Please.”
I lent her the money.
Month-end came. Nothing.
Month two? Still nothing.
Month three? Money finally showed up—no message, no explanation, nada.
And just like that, I was livid. Not even about the money. About the disrespect.
Here’s What I Know Now (So You Don’t Have to Learn the Hard Way)
💣 Borrowing feels easy, but paying back is hard
💣 Lending seems kind, but it can ruin relationships
💣 Money doesn’t ruin people—people ruin people when money’s involved
💣 Trust is fragile, especially when cash is in the mix
💣 Your peace > their “emergency”
Final Word?
Don’t borrow.
Don’t lend.
Not unless you’re okay with never seeing the money—or the relationship—again.
Let 11-year-old me take that L so you don’t have to.
BONUS: Want to Avoid These Money Mistakes Forever?
Grab my “Money Boundaries Toolkit” – a quick-start guide to:
- Saying “NO” without guilt
- Recognizing emotional manipulation around money
- Scripts to use when someone asks to borrow
- Peace-preserving ways to deal with friends & family and still keep your money