Dear Suzie,
A friend of mine (let's call her A) recently started another job as one of those cosmetic sales ladies to make some more money. I supported her by buying a few products, but when she started becoming too pushy, I basically stopped returning her texts and stuff. That awkward moment in our friendship passed, and I thought everything was back to normal. Then yesterday, I heard from another friend—who had met A at my house—that A was contacting her as well as other friends A met through me in order to sell her stuff. The friend seemed a little put off by A's sales tactics and asked me to talk to her. Frankly, I'm a little torn because A is a friend who is trying to be financially proactive, but I'm also pretty annoyed that she's basically preying on me, and now my friends in order to make money. What should I do?

Signed,
-Confidante, not customer

Dear Confidante,
There should be an eleventh commandment out there stating that friends and money simply don’t mix. Anything having to do with making money off the important people in your life almost always leads to disaster. It’s nice that you supported A at the start of her new venture, but it was not so nice that you didn’t let her know what was bothering you, and instead just gave her that old elementary school-style silent treatment. Now that someone else has presented you with the opportunity to be a true friend and tell A the truth, you should take it. Thinking about how awkward it’s going to be is not going to help one bit. Bite the bullet and let the Avon Lady know that, as much as you love her and want to support her, your friends are unable to to shell out the extra money on her products right now. If she continues her behaviour after you’ve voiced your concern, then you really have grounds for some grown-up cold shoulder.

Sincerely,
Suzie