But is it really that serious all the time? My brother borrows twenty bucks now and then, and we never even talk about it later. Same with chipping in for a group gift, it's just practical. As long as no one's taking advantage, it's just part of being family. People act like money is toxic, but it's just money.
I loaned my niece money for books and she paid me back with homemade cookies. @sanchez.simon, it's true that family dealings don't always have to be serious.