It is Njaa-nuary: There’s nothing like a free lunch

 It is 2017 people! [Photo: Courtesy]

It is 2017 people! It is time to unload the freeloaders! I am talking about the moochers who never pay their fair share of expenses.

 From stiffing their drinking buddies with the bill, 'borrowing' cigarettes or bumming rides, moochers have an uncanny way of cajoling their friends so they can get out of paying for something.

 I know exactly how it feels to be saddled with a deadbeat friend.

I have a mooch of my own who has taught me that mooching isn't limited to conveniently 'forgetting his wallet' on friends night-outs, or taking a calculated bathroom break just before the bill is brought.

No, my mooch is always in need of a ride somewhere and usually calls me to help. However, he has never offered to fuel the car or even to pay for the car to get cleaned.

I didn't even realise I was being taken advantage of until I read an article somewhere about friends who like to bum rides from others but never offer to pay for fuel.

 I was being taken for a ride. My 'friend' is nothing but a financial vampire and I made a decision to end the free ride.

It is not so much about the money as it is about the principle. It is an unspoken rule of courtesy that when you borrow someone's car, you chip in with the fuel.

Not to mention the fact that I have been sacrificing my time to chauffeur him around from one part of town to another. But the tightwad just acts like it is my obligation as his friend to do for him these favours.

Most moochers get away with living off their friends because most people feel embarrassed about bringing the issue up and would much rather let uncomfortable matters slide.

It is especially difficult if it is a person you have been friends with for a long time, so you figure you will just ignore the mooching to prevent putting a strain on the friendship.

Do not enable them. No matter how long you have been friends, a friend who mooches isn't really a friend.

He or she is selfish and self-centered individual who will happily drain your hard-earned cash, not to mention your patience. He will test the limits of your generous spirit and goodwill. Learn to say no to them.

Do not give them loans, do not offer to pay their part of the bill because they have 'forgotten their wallets,' and do not give them rides!

If you have a mooch in your group of friends, it is time to let him know that you are onto him. The next time you want to go out, make it clear beforehand that everyone will pay their own bill or you will all contribute equally to cover the bill.

Before you give a mooch a ride, let him know that he will be paying for fuel because cars are expensive to own and operate, not to mention the fact that it is 'Njaa-nuary' when everyone is strained on finances.

Nobody has that kind of money to throw around.

@roxannekenya