I got to thinking about this, Donna, and I can tell you that several people have asked me to make purchases for them w/my wholesale discount and that they would repay me. I've refused them every time because that isn't what my wholesale license is for and your employee discount is for you, not anyone else. If you buy a gift w/your discount, that's one thing but if you feel obligated or guilted into it for whatever reason, then that's something else entirely. Besides, your friend could use the 20% BB&B discount coupon that we all get in the mail and pay for it herself. She has more options than you do, her husband for one; whether or not they live together is irrelevant. You're living alone (except for your fur clan) and working, so you have to take care of yourself.

Y'know how they tell us on an airline flight to put on our oxygen mask before we attempt to help the person next to us? Same rule applies here. Take care of yourself first. You won't have any money left for yourself if you keep helping others first. Take care of Donna first and if you can help others w/out feeling a pinch, by all means, do it. Hopefully, she'll repay you quickly and then you can put this all behind you and consider it a lesson learned. But don't continue to beat yourself up over it. Your heart was in the right place, as usual.

P.S. Sorry that I missed your call. I had the phone ringer turned off until this morning but I'll be home all day today if you want to call back after work. I wanted to call you but I don't want to disturb you at work.