<prompt> Human: Ive got a very close friend whos in the process of selling one house and simultaneously buying another. I know hes riding the line fairly close in terms of timing, amounts of money, and everything else, but turns out its even more brinksmanshippy than I thought: he needs 1 of his new mortgage 5000 as earnest money, and if he puts it on a credit card, his credit rating will drop just enough that his financing will fall through. Wow.So, while it embarrassed him to do so, he did come to me and ask to borrow the money. Hes shitty with finances, spends way too much in my opinion and Ive told him so, because Im a judgmental prick. That said, we work at the same place, both make good money, and I have absolutely no worries about him paying me back.Still, its taking me a little low myself, thanks to the fact that I _just_ transferred a bundle of money over to Vanguard, leaving my cash-based emergency fund at its periodic minimum and awaiting replenishment. I could always transfer some back out of my brokerage account if I needed it suddenly, but that will take several days during which Ill be relying on a credit card. Not so uncomfortable, just a little greasier than Mr. Frugalpants over here likes to keep things.Anyway, the actual questions: 1. Is there some minimum safety measure I should take, just in case the unfathomable occurs? Would a signed sheet of paper stating I O U 5000 hold up in court? I dont expect it would ever come to that, but I want to be prepared. Its not personal, because I dont mix friends and money: hes a borrower right now.2. Am I going to encounter any difficulty withdrawing 5000 in cash at my credit union? Ive never held that much paper money in my hands before, but I cant think of another way to avoid an interrogation about whether its a loan or a gift, etc. Whenever Ive made a large transaction in the past, its been with a cashiers check. Id rather keep this under the table, because it has to happen quickly and smoothly.3. Am I being a curmudgeon by worrying about any of this? Is a 5000 loan the sort of thing people just _do_ for each other without a second thought? rhowtonotgiveafuck  <response>: A friend loaned me several thousand dollars to help me get out of debt. He wrote up a contract, with payment amounts and schedules, etc. I signed it, and we had a friend witness it. I went out of my way to make sure hes gotten paid on time every month, and Im now two payments away from being done. It can be done, but youve gotta treat it like business. 