Roommate Fails to Repay Loan for Kids School Trip - AITA?
AITA for not giving my roommate money for his kid's school trip after he promised to pay me back? Mixed feelings on financial agreements and responsibilities.
It started with a simple loan, and it turned into a full-blown roommate stress test over $500. OP, a 27-year-old woman, agreed to lend her 29-year-old roommate money for his kid’s school trip, because he promised it would be paid back in a month.
On paper, it sounded straightforward. In real life, the timeline evaporated. First month passes, then another, and he keeps dodging the repayment with vague “I’m low on funds” energy, leaving OP to cover her own budget like nothing happened.
Now she’s stuck wondering if she’s being patient or if she’s getting played.
Original Post
So I'm (27F) sharing an apartment with my roommate (29M), and we usually split expenses evenly. Recently, my roommate asked to borrow $500 for his kid's school trip, promising to pay me back within a month.
I agreed, assuming he'd stick to the timeline. Fast forward a month, he hasn't mentioned the repayment at all.
When I brought it up, he said he's low on funds but will reimburse me soon. Another month passes, and still no payment.
I'm starting to feel used and annoyed because it's affecting my budget. I know it's for his kid, but I feel taken advantage of.
So AITA?
The Weight of $500
It's easy to overlook how much $500 can mean in a tight financial situation, especially for the Reddit user in this story. This isn’t just about a loan; it's about trust and the expectations that come with it. Her roommate's promise to pay back the money within a month quickly turned into a vague timeline that left her in a lurch. The emotional toll of lending money to a friend or roommate can be heavy, especially when it involves a child's school trip, which adds an extra layer of guilt and responsibility.
The fact that the roommate seems to take this lightly raises questions about whether he truly values their friendship or is simply prioritizing his own needs over a commitment he made.
When the roommate asked for $500 for the school trip, OP probably thought the “one month” promise was the whole point.
Comment from u/Sleepy_Panda247
NTA, it's unfair for him to disregard your agreement and put you in a tight spot financially.
Comment from u/partygirl99
Honestly, they should've kept their promise. Kids or not, money is money. Maybe remind them firmly about the repayment.
Comment from u/MemeMasterX
YTA. Kids' activities can be expensive, and he's trying to provide for them. Cut him some slack and give him time.
Comment from u/CuriousCat_18
NTA, he should've been more responsible about keeping his word, especially when it involves your finances.
After the first month went by with zero repayment talk, OP had to start bringing it up instead of just waiting.
Comment from u/Bookworm87
OP, you're justified in feeling frustrated. Financial agreements should be honored, regardless of the reason behind them.
Also, if you’re thinking about rent pressure after a roommate blows money, read the AITA about luxury vacation overspending and demanding rent payment in advance.
Comment from u/LoneWolf55
I get helping out, but if he promised to repay, he should stick to it. You need to address this situation before it strains your relationship.
Comment from u/TeaLover_123
ESH - Communication is key in these situations. Talk openly about how this situation is affecting both of you.
The second month dragged on, and every “soon” excuse started feeling less like timing issues and more like disrespect.
Comment from u/TravelBug_01
NTA - Your roommate needs to understand that agreements, especially financial ones, should be respected and fulfilled.
Comment from u/MusicFanatic22
You're definitely not wrong for expecting repayment, especially when it's impacting your own finances. NTA.
Comment from u/SunflowerDreamer
He should've been upfront about any delays in repayment. NTA for expecting him to stick to your agreement.
With the kid’s trip still in the rearview mirror and her budget getting squeezed, OP is ready to call out the real problem, not the reason.
How would you handle this situation? Let us know in the comments.
A Divided Community
The community's reaction to this financial dilemma highlights a fascinating spectrum of opinions.
This story underscores the complexities of financial agreements between friends, especially when children's needs are at stake.
In this situation, the Reddit user is understandably frustrated with her roommate's failure to repay the $500 loan for his child's school trip. His initial promise to repay her within a month turned into a two-month wait, leaving her feeling taken advantage of and financially strained. The mixed reactions from the Reddit community reflect broader societal struggles with financial accountability in personal relationships, raising questions about how far empathy should stretch when it comes to money.
Nobody wants to float $500 for a school trip while their roommate acts like the calendar doesn’t apply to him.
Want another take on refusing to cover a flatmate’s expenses, see the AITA story where someone says no to rent relief.
