Arguing with my friend

My best friend often gets me to drive her places (she doesnt drive yet) and when she was unemployed I was happy to buy her lots of drinks when we went out clubbing, and cover taxi fares, and lend her my things, sometimes not getting them back. She didn't...

ever pay me to cover costs of fuel and drinks and I've let it slide until today - she asked if I could pick her up after work so we could go to the gym together, and I said sure, but only if she fills up my car with fuel. She whinged about it, and reluctantly offered $10. I need triple that amount to fill my car. I ignored her request and didn't pick her up. I then found out via her a social site account that she had bought a luxury item she didn't need for $350. That made me angry so I send her a text msg saying 'Oh so you can afford crap you dont need but you cant pay me back what you owe, after everything I've done to help you?' And she got really angry at me calling me petty saying I was trying to start sh*t! She said its her money she can buy what she wants with it and since I have a job I shouldnt be in any urgent hurry to get the money back. What do you guys think about all this? Im ignoring her calls at the mo cause im too angry, but I duno if I should just get over it and wait for her to pay me back?

The way I see it, there should never be any IOU's between friends. When you give something to a friend, you offer it with no strings attached, and no expectations of getting it back.

This friend has obviously taken advantage of your giving nature, but you allowed it to happen. You should have put a stop to things long ago.

Now what you need to do is ask yourself which is more important - the materialism of the situation, or your friendship.

It's nice to do things for friends when they need it but in this case I feel that she should show how much she is thankful and buy you stuff from time to time. I would be very upset if this happend to me. If she cant do things for you in return, then she must not be much of a friend.