Harriette Cole: Step up, speak up, pay up

Wed., May 2, 2007

Harriette Cole United Feature Syndicate

Dear Harriette: I borrowed money from a friend, and I have every intention of repaying him in full, but I am late. I gave him a date by which I would pay up, and that date has passed. I don’t want to be a jerk. I want to honor this commitment. How can I let him know how sincere I am, even though I don’t have it all right now? — Ben, Salt Lake City, Utah

Dear Ben: Speak up. Too often when people owe money to others they hide rather than set the record straight about what’s going on. Don’t leave your friend wondering when or if he will ever be repaid. Contact him immediately. Explain your situation honestly and tell him you intend to pay him back in full. Ask if you can set up a revised payment plan.

Come with ideas written down for a realistic repayment deadline; bring along a check for partial payment. Don’t consider whatever amount you may have today is too small. It represents a good-faith offering that will definitely go over better than a promise and a smile. Show dates on a calendar that you will honor. Each time a payment is due, according to your schedule, make the payment or let him know when to expect it.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.