Jada Pinkett Smith was serious about lending money to friends and family.
In a recent episode of Red Table Talk, Jada, along with daughter Willow Smith and mother Adrienne Banfield-Jones, talked about strange social interactions. They also answered questions from viewers, including a Queens woman named Samantha, who wondered about saying “no” to loved ones when asking for money, especially after she worked hard for her current success.
Jada urged people who didn’t grow up with a lot of money to abandon any guilt for refusing someone – something she admitted to having struggled with herself. “I spent so many years feeling guilty, and my guilt made me feel that I owed everyone and was not allowed to say ‘no’. And that is not true, right? So I came up with some rules for myself. First, I don’t lend money. I only give money that I am willing to give – like, this is a gift ”, admitted Jada.
The actress also explained that lending money can lead to other problems, including the expectation that people will pay back. As a result, she only offers financial support when she is sure that money can be a gift to someone.
“When someone really needs help, I really assess to see if they are ready for that help. Do you feel me? “Jada continued.” So it’s like … ‘I want a new house’, but they don’t have a job to support the house they’re trying to buy … It’s like, well, you’re not ready to So I’m not about to help you get into something that, in the end, will make it more difficult for you, right? And then, I really had to look at it. So, I also learned to help people with resources, with education ”.
Jada reiterated that the most important thing to remember is that people shouldn’t feel bad about saying “no” to a friend or family member who asks for money because they owe nothing to anyone. “And people will make you feel like, ‘You owe me. I was standing beside you. I grew up at home with you. I did this and that with you I met you when, ‘ she said. “And at the end of the day, you owe nothing to anyone.”
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