Perhaps. On the other hand, how many 31 year olds do you think have saved up an emergency fund? Most guys his age just don't plan for a downturn - they make hay while the sun is shining and forget about the coming storm. It just makes him...normal. I mentor a number of young people at the office and this is one of the first things we discuss. If he was a regular of mine, I would consider helping him out. Yes, I am probably a bit of a softy....