Been there…………….done that. publicdefender hit the nail on the head. It’s o.k. to loan the money as long as you understand that most people will NOT pay you back. We live in a different world/times than the one I grew up in. It used to be that your word was your bond and the deadbeats were not so numerous.

p.s.
If you decide to loan the money, it will greatly benefit you to have an attorney (if it’s a large enough sum that you’re loaning) draw up a promissory note and add the cost for the lawyer to the amount that is to be repaid. If they don’t pay and you decide to pursue the matter, that document will greatly enable you to get a judgement.