 We are not, as individuals, in the business of lending money. We don't know how to do it. We do it with a lot of feelings and emotions involved. And that's why it should be left up to financial institutions. And I recommend to people, if someone's coming to you in need and you have the money, just give it to them. That's Washington Post personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary. She and her husband used to lend money to people with the expectation of being paid back.