Would you lend your car?

It's a sticky question at the best of times, and even more so when you met the person you're dating through an internet dating service. Unless you have friends in common who can vouch for them, you're basically left to trust your own instincts. Internet dating or personal introduction, you're really testing the boundaries of your trust when you're asked to lend your car to someone!

It can be very difficult to say no to someone when they're in a jam and need to borrow transportation, especially if the transportation they want to borrow is yours. There are a couple of things you need to consider before you even think about saying yes.

How's their driving record? Have they racked up hundreds of dollars of speeding tickets? Are they accident prone? What about insurance?

What it comes down to is this; it's YOUR car, and ultimately YOUR responsibility.

Too many of us feel coerced when approached by a friend to borrow our car for a couple of hours. But if that car is parked illegally and then towed, and worse, is involved in an accident, you can bet that your act of kindness will come back to haunt you.

So think twice before lending your car. I'd rather take a few hours of my time to take them where they need to go than surrender my keys. Mind you, not too many people ask to borrow my car; it has a standard transmission!