When I was in my early 20's, leaving Citibank's ATM one night after getting paid. Can't recall, but I had pulled out 3-5 $20 bills. As I'm walking to the car where my now-hubby is waiting, a woman came up to beg. Big sob story about the kids at home without food, and how anything could help. Hubby was about to reach in his pocket, but he had way less money than I did (he owed me $$, lol!), I felt a wave of pity and compassion for these starving children, sitting in a cold and unfurnished apartment. Out came one of those crisp $20 bills, and in an even dumber move, we even agreed to drive her to the grocery store! When we got about 1/2 block from the store, she thanked us and insisted to get out right there. We let her out, and watched her run away, in the opposite direction of the store. Guess I helped finance a drug habit that night.
A week later, same Citibank ATM. Same woman, same sob story! I told her she wasn't going to get me for a second time, but she clearly had no recollection of the incident. I stopped going to that ATM.
As for hubby and his loan to me, I kept a spreadsheet to track it all over the many years we dated. It was a considerable amount, but once we got engaged, I destroyed the spreadsheet. 21+ years later, I can say that was one of the best investments I've ever made. :)