He lives paycheck to paycheck, yet family and friends ask him for money, and he gives. His emotional post goes viral

A user on the Personal Finance India subreddit recently shared a frustrating personal story about being persistently asked for money by relatives and friends. In his post, he explained how his sister called and straightaway requested half of his monthly salary, promising to repay the amount by the end of the week. Trusting her word, he transferred the money without hesitation. However, the problem didn’t stop there—over the last couple of weeks, several of his friends also approached him for portions of his income, ranging between 10% and 20%, and he complied each time.

Living Paycheck to Paycheck

Despite being financially responsible, the Redditor confessed that these repeated requests had left him struggling to stay afloat. He described his financial situation as precarious—barely surviving between paychecks, with most of his income tied up in what he humorously referred to as a “Schrödinger’s cat state,” meaning uncertain and inaccessible.

He noted that while he considers himself disciplined when it comes to money, he finds it incredibly difficult to turn down such requests, especially when they come from loved ones. He added that old acquaintances, even those who hadn’t spoken to him in a decade, were suddenly reaching out with emotional stories, seeking loans. Saying no to distant friends was easy, but refusing family and close friends left him feeling guilty and conflicted. He admitted he didn’t want to appear like a pushover, yet feared damaging relationships by declining financial help.

Reactions from Fellow Redditors

The post quickly drew reactions from other users who advised him to set firm boundaries. One commenter bluntly told him to develop a stronger spine, adding that helping immediate family is acceptable if they genuinely repay the money—but lending to long-lost friends is a definite mistake. Another user warned that even family ties can turn toxic when finances are involved, stressing that lending money to anyone, including siblings, is often a bad idea.

Several others echoed that real relationships should bring support, not emotional or financial exhaustion. They urged him to value his self-worth, recognize toxic patterns, and restrict access to anyone who drains his energy or resources.

How to Set Limits

Some practical advice followed: tell people that your salary is locked in a recurring deposit, or that you’ve realized your savings are at risk and are working to rebuild financial discipline. If the pressure continues, simply respond that you have no money left in your account. Helping in genuine emergencies is fine, they concluded—but constant borrowing crosses the line and only encourages dependency.