How do I tell people I am poor?

Question

I've been doing without for years. Now my siblings who resorted to credit cards are begging me for money I don't have. I'm the only one who is not in debt--- yet.

Answer 1

Tell them the truth - that you don't have the money to pay for their debts.  Offer them your emotional support and advice, but keep repeating that you do not have any money to give/loan to anyone for any reason.

Do not be fool enough to give or loan them any money - you will never see it again, and you are not ethically required to harm yourself to help another.

Answer 2

do u spend more than you earn

Answer 3

Tell them no.. your not in debt and don't want to start.. it has nothing to do with blood but it has everything to do with common sense.

You can't enable them unless they sign a pay back agreement and adhere to that agreement but not much chance they will.. so on second thought skip that part all together.

Answer 4

Just tell them you were smart enough to not get in debt in the first place but you don't have the financial ability to support them.

Answer 5

You tell em you are broke.

Answer 6

You have some really great answers here, bottom line which is the advice most have given, stick to your convictions, stay out of debt, you can't give what you don't have and if it's credit, well that is someone elses money not yours.......

Answer 7

Just tell them. And tell them you don't have credit cards either. You can't give what you don't have. Don't go into debt to bail them out (or for any other reason if possible). And don't co-sign anything for them. The debt collectors come after the co-signers FIRST.

Answer 8

Change your name like the guy using mine for some sly reason

Answer 9

Best to be at zero than in the negative.

Aside from that, just tell them that you're not in the financial position to loan money... it's not wrong to not want to s***w yourself over.

Answer 10

they are not just people, they are your family and should respect you enough to not ask you for money. do not give in- you have to put yourself first. tell them you are in a financial bind and are unable to help- it's simple, you cannot give what you do not have and cannot spend beyond your means. just be smart.

Answer 11

You don't have to tell them you're poor.  You don't have to divulge any details of your own personal finances, unless you choose to.  Its none of their business how you manage your money.  Just tell them, "I'm really sorry you're having such financial trouble, but I can't help you."

If they continue to pressure you, stay calm and just keep repeating, "I'm sorry, no.  I can't help you."

Answer 12

Tell them you can't give what you don't have....end of story.  

Answer 13

Just say no.  Say that you would help them if you could, but you do not have the financial resources to help them. Avoid them if they start arguments about it or hound you for money.

Answer 14

Well done and a round of applause for remaining out of debt.

Simply tell them you have a poor credit rating (if you have never had credit, you are NOT lying! You will have a poor credit rating because no-one will have a credit background on you!) . So, you have to live without credit cards and go without instead. Tell them you have done this for years and you can only support yourself.

Simply say you would love to help, but are in no better position than they are. If we all lived within our means, what a happier place this would be...