Asking for support from a friend is normal and ok when you have that type of relationship. However sometimes getting support from friends can take a wrong turn and stir up confusion between them. Support such as borrowing money, clothes, cars and other personal belongings can hurt a friendship. What are your thoughts about supporting friends and do you think there are certain limits as to where you should cut the support?

I am always very careful when it comes to asking friends for support as it should be handled with care. It is necessary to establish a clear boundary so as to avoid straining the relationship. Borrowing money or personal belonging can create confusion and destroy the friendship if care is not taken.

To ask a friend for support you have to know what kind of friendship you have and the level you are on for asking for support. You don't want to ruin a relationship with asking for to much or make them feel pressured as a friend. So I say it depends on the support needed and the friend you're asking. How well do you know their capabilities to come through or understand your asking.

When I need support and someone to vent to, I’ll reach out to my friends for support.

My mom taught me early on in my teenaged years to not loan money to friends because it rarely ends well. So I don't. If they need money, I might give them $20 which is affordable, but I don't want to be taken advantage of and there are some friends who would easily do that. I have a few friends who wouldn't get a job but were broke...so the $20 helped them but didn't enable them.

I think support is very important especially during difficult times, however, sometimes it seems like some people are always having a difficult time (and sometimes it's their own fault in my opinion) and at that point I have a difficult time being empathetic and helping them. I am HUGE on supporting friends and helping them when I can, but I also know my friends would do the same. I also really don't mind helping out my friends because I know they truly appreciate it, and they are usually pretty self-sufficient so if they are asking for help it's usually because they have no other options.

In the past I have helped and bent backwards for people who honestly, looking back didn't deserve that kindness and help. I would always be there for them but if ever I needed something (which wasn't often at all) it seemed like I was asking way too much even if I was just asking for support or their opinion on a situation. I think it's extremely important to create boundaries and make sure that people respect them, if not I just don't allow them in my life.

Another thing I will add is when I lend friends money, I never expect for it to get paid back. My good friends have always paid me back or never asked for money, but I have had some friends in the past that never seemed to have any money to spare so they never ended up paying me back. Due to that I am VERY picky with whom I will lend money to.

Being able to ask people for help and support shouldn't be a hassle or even embarrassing if you're surrounded by the right people. Though, I've noticed that a lot of people are self-centered and really don't deserve the time, effort, help and support I've given. My boyfriend has been a huge help in helping me find my voice, back bone and boundaries as I seem to be someone who is overly agreeable and tend to put others before myself (which I'm working on).

The most important thing to keep in mind is that you need to have the proper supportive people in your life. People who are only around when you can offer things are not worth being around.