[Jon Westfall]

I find myself facing a hard choice when I am asked to help a friend (or even friend of a friend) with a computer issue. On one hand, I don't want my friend to take up my valuable time (This is really an issue when its friend of a friend who I really don't know). On the other hand, I don't like to see my friends go out and tell me something like "<some electronics store> charged me $40 for a modem and then $50 for the install". I find myself feeling like I could have popped in a new modem for them and saved them the $50, which I feel is too high for a modem install most of the time anyway.

So my new solution? I usually help someone one time. If they bring up compensation, I ask them how much money they feel my services were worth (Which is usually higher than I'd rate them). They pay me that and we're happy. If they don't bring it up, then I don't come back.