re: A good buddy called me asking for money yesterday. Update 6/12

I understand your point to provide some coaching to your friend on reasonable and practical steps to take but I don’t think he was looking for that. You may not agree with his lifestyle choices but tough to change those at this point. He trusts and respects you enough to ask which says a lot. If you have it and can do it then don’t expect to be paid back just consider it a gift. If he pays you back great but money isn’t worth losing a friendship over.