How to deal with Freeloaders?

“If your friendship consistently makes you feel drained, put-upon, used or stressed, it is time to move on.” — Levine

In a close-knit group of friends, each one of you is very well-versed with everyone’s habits and attitude. Then comes people who have diverse financial personalities. And nothing else really kills the vibe of your night out when you have someone always dodging on the payment bills onto someone or the other.

So, it is not difficult for anyone to recognize who is the moocher of your group, especially when you are the one paying their share each time. Therefore, there are several ways to deal with freeloaders and here is how to get rid of a moocher.

Friends Who Are Freeloaders — Signs To identify One

#1. The simplest way you can spot a freeloader is when they start convincing you every time to pay their part of the bill on almost every occasion.

#2. Whatever is yours is also theirs, even if you don’t feel so. They absolutely have no sense of boundaries and just stay entitled to your property.

#3. Even if people are bringing things, it takes some cost to invite them over for celebrations. A freeloader friend will always be your guest and never manage the part of being a host.

#4. He/ she is the one who will keep relying on favors from you. They know how to take advantage of your kindness and gradually start expecting favors from you.

#5. In case they are asked to make a contribution where they cannot escape, it will always be insignificant. For instance, if a group of people ask them to get an alcohol, they will just get the cheapest one!

Read More: Signs of Freeloaders

How To Deal With Moochers?

This is how you can unload the freeloader and stop being abused by their acts.

#1. Start Communicating Your Expectations

It is very important on your part to let all the rules of friendship be very clear. You have to make sure that your kindness isn’t taken for granted. Therefore, before you and your moocher friend go for an outing, ensure that you have made clear where he/ she needs to spend and where it will be possible for you to do the same. But not just your mooching buddy, make these rules clear to everyone in the friend group accompanying you. Either everyone is going to pay their own bills or there would be an equal contribution or whichever fairway you can think of. It effectively gives the moocher an idea that he/ she cannot rely on others every time. And when you are targeting each and every person, your communication would not even become difficult. You are not aiming the message at just one person but everyone. And believe us, somehow all your friends understand the reason behind such rules expect the moocher.

#2. Learn To Say No

How to deal with moochers? Learn to say no! The power of no is tremendous. And you should actually have a set criterion for the thing you will be saying yes to and the things you wouldn’t agree with. Moochers are programmed to get their work done. However, you need to play the other way round. And a no means, “This is who I am, this is what I value and this is what I don’t along with this is how I choose to act in a situation.” Simple! We as humans somewhat like to please others and cooperate with them in every situation but at the core, we are our own distinct selves. And, a no helps us carve out the required support and that space. It also makes you recognize that such people should not enter your boundaries. You are wholly responsible and powerfully in charge of your acts and the way others behave. It is an effort turned towards yourself for developing the ability to respect your personal identity.

Read More: How To Deal With Moochers?