Yes, I did it once but never again. The sum wasn't large and I never got it back - any part of it. We parted ways, not because of the loan, and years later we met again one day and I said: We'd better forget about that loan, Bill, and he said: Thanks, whew, that's been worrying me for years. Never lend money to friends - it's been said already, but if you do you must make it a gift. These days, if I help someone, I just say look it's a gift, I don't expect it back but if, one day, you are in the position to . . .. Then write it off in your own mind and you can both live with it. However, your question suggested a more serious sum, and in that case, unless you can afford the financial loss, the friendship lost and the hassle, probably better not to do it.
