Asking for a loan is about as icky as rolling around in a patch of poison ivy. Except instead of enduring just a few days of the swollen itchies, a bad borrower can mess up a good relationship for life. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s clothes, cars, or money – the power imbalance created by the lender/lendee dynamic puts a strain on even the best friendships.

We’ve all been there – you need to borrow a fancy formal for a black-tie soiree, your car breaks down and you borrow your pal’s jalopy to get to work, an unexpected bill forces you to grovel. Obviously it’s best to avoid borrowing from loved ones whenever possible, but if you find yourself in an unavoidable loan sitch, here are some tips to keep in mind.