Reckless brother demands sister co-sign on new luxury car after driving himself to bankruptcy: ‘I’m scared he’ll ruin my good credit. I have my own bills to pay’

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Etai Eshet • Editor
Jan 21, 2025 6:00 PM EST

Family and finances… finances AND family! The ultimate recipe for awkward conversations, simmering resentment, and the occasional shouting match. 
You really need to be a seasoned adrenaline fiend to take the kind of gamble that is mixing money with siblings. Sipping on this edgy and potent cocktail of love, guilt, and tiptoeing around asking for your money back takes courage.

Add in a dash of entitlement and a splash of poor financial decisions, and voilà—you've got the perfect storm, a cocktail I like to call: Debt on the Beach.

The sister at the center of this story is rightfully, less adventurous; a responsible, budget-conscious teacher who's spent years dodging financial disasters and dutifully paying off student loans. Her brother, on the other hand, well, let's just say he's living out his financial fantasies one flashy car at a time. Having already driven himself into bankruptcy, literally, he now needs a new "dad car," because apparently, Pfärrenthüd is a luxury brand. And naturally, he decides his sister's solid credit score is the solution to his debt-driven dreams.

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  • "AITA for telling my brother no to co-signing for a car?"

    "I told him no as his financial track record is concerning" BANKRUPTCY
    via geralt
  • I recently received a text from my older brother simply asking "Do you have good credit?" When I replied to him and answered that I do, he proceeded to ask me to be a co-signer on car. Another Mercedes. He has wasted so
    via SackuvPotatoes
  • much money on different cars over the years and has put himself into debt because of it— so much so that he had to file for bankruptcy. He has a child now and his current Mercedes is too
    via SackuvPotatoes
  • small to be a 'dad car' so he wants to upgrade to another one. As much as I want to be a good sister and try and help him out, I told him no as his financial track record is concerning.
    via SackuvPotatoes

  • Sorry bro, you'll have to settle for a Reäsonabël Zeh-dän, Seköndhändt Ess-Û-Veh or a Schëpper Haütschbäk this time.

  • Now let me tell you, he's got a great job and makes good money. He's in the trades. I'm a teacher and I make far less than him but I am good with my finances-student loans and all.
    via SackuvPotatoes
  • When I told him no he got aggravated and has been pretty much annoyed with me since, saying it's of me to not help out when I have a good credit score but the fact of the matter is.. I'm scared he'll ruin it. I
    via SackuvPotatoes
  • have my own bills to pay. I need to keep my credit up to par for when I'm ready to buy property since I've been saving to do so. And when I explained this to him and the fact that I do have so
    via SackuvPotatoes
  • Cheezburger Image 10457269760
    via dmitrynaumov

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • And when I explained this to him and the fact that I do have so many other monthly bills I pay for on top of paying off student debt, he still couldn't
    via SackuvPotatoes

  • When she says no, citing completely reasonable concerns like protecting her credit and not wanting to co-sign herself into financial ruin, he's amazed, shocked! Because what's a little credit score destruction between siblings, right?

  • comprehend my reasoning and sort of just scoffed it off. AITA for telling him no for my own financial safety?
    via SackuvPotatoes
  • Mission Being8058 NTA. Bad credit and he drives a Mercedes?!?!? Huge red flag. I still wouldn't co- sign with him, but you could do your brother a favor and show him a Toyota dealership.
    via MissionBeing8058
  • Cheezburger Image 10457270016
    via triloks

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • badpandacat NTA. He's clearly already ruined his own credit. Under no circumstances should you allow him to ruin yours. If he's not underwater, he could sell his current Mercedes and buy a good used car large enough for
    via badpandacat
  • his family. But then, that would be the mature, financially responsible option, and it doesn't sound like your brother is ready for adulting. Stay strong and protect yourself.
    via badpandacat
  • GratuitousS@d1sm NTA. He's not entitled to your financial support. He should be grateful that he even has a car in the first place. That's a privilege in itself.
    via GratuitousS@d1sm
  • Any-Split3724 You are absolutely NTA. Do not entangle yourself financially with your brother. You will regret it. He has zero right to be pissy, trying to use your good credit to buy something he can not
    via Any-Split3724
  • afford on his own, especially for something that is an expensive and extravagant "want to have" not a "need to have." Let him act like a big baby and pout. You don't need that kind of family member around.
    via Any-Split3724
  • MinnGranny Another reason not to co- sign for him is that it would go on your credit report. When you are ready to purchase your own home, his debt would negatively affect your debt-to-income ratio that determines if you qualify for a mortgage or not.
    via MinnGranny
  • Prettyricky27 NTA, no means no. Simple, he'll get over it. I'm not co- signing a thing for anyone
    via Prettyricky27
  • FlanSwimming8607 He's an idiot. He needs to go and buy a more affordable car. You don't need to co sign anything. Nor feel guilty about it.
    via FlanSwimming8607
  • Antique-Zebra-2161 NTA! Please don't let him ruin your credit since he ruined his own!
    via Antique-Zebra-2161
  • zinorita NTA. Tell him to buy a cheap used car and pay it full. Then he doesn't have a need for co-signer.
    via zinorita
  • HotRod Homebody It's not like borrowing your mower. You're married to the loan and tied to the anchor with him in case he sinks. (again). NTA
    via HotRodHomebody
  • RogueAxiom No no NO! You don't need r/ for this anymore than a dad in the trades needs a Mercedes to drive. His credit is already trash and if he screws up you'll go down the drain with him.
    via RogueAxiom
  • Performance_Lanky NTA Other than ego, there's no reason that he has to have a Mercedes. And you're correct, he'll screw up your rating and would be likely to leave you on the hook for the payments.
    via Performance_Lanky

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