One of my best friends from high school is texting me more often to make tall requests for financial favors.

He hasn’t been as needy as some of my other friends, who have persisted in making unreasonable demands even when I said no. But after reconnecting with him recently after a lull in communication, where he gave me updates about growing his family and invited me to be a grooms man for his upcoming wedding, he then transitioned to contact me more than half the time only to ask me for the jobs in question. First time it was for borrowing a loan of 300 for his rent. Another time he wanted to use me as a reference to help him build credit. Then the breaking point for me was when he wanted me to borrow 30 for fixing his van, and also asked me to come to his area where COVID cases were peaking.

Each time this guy contacted me for a favor requiring a payment I had to tell him no since my former part time job was sporadic, so I didn’t have much wiggle room with my budget. I said I could help him with a reference but even then it was a forced yes since it could quickly evolve into over reliance on me for financial help when it’s not convenient or appropriate.

Since I keep telling him no and he still keeps on with requesting money from me, I may go to the next step of non-responses to his texts that start with “could you do me a favor”. I’m at a bit of a loss though, since he looks up to me as one of the only people he still considers a friend from high school. But just like when my family didn’t answer unknown/junk calls on our former landline, I also don’t want to stay constantly connected 24/7, especially to people who take advantage or who I want to distance from.

Of course I wouldn’t ignore this guy forever, but I do stay busy with outdoor chores around the house, and I’m preparing to enter the work force, which could legitimize sluggish or no responses from my end. Do you agree? Or can you give me any other perspectives on handling his unreasonable demands?