I have a strong sense of fairness and justice (which sometimes makes it hard to exist in this world). But I'm also quite pragmatic and getting more ruthlessly so over time.
Which is why I've made the conscious choice to write off certain sums of money over the past few years. To move on and look forward. Let go of the expended stress and energy, and devote that time and headspace into productively making that money back even quicker. And of course, to not get into the same situation again.
Heinous flatmate (approx $1000)
Blood from a stone. He was a terrible person to live with and is terrible with money/being employed/adulting in general. I've written off the money he owes for bills and damage and moved on.
Tax refund
Can't really remember the amount - maybe $500? Anyway, T was due a tax refund a few years back that went into limbo somewhere between the IRD and his bank account. Endless back and forth never resolved it and we've moved on. (Subsequent refunds have made it through fine.)
Work expenses
Again, the exact amount has faded from memory and I'm certainly not going to check and dredge it up, but a couple hundy? Suffice to say toxic boss #2 in this post was a nightmare from start to finish. T chatted to someone from the labour department but ultimately, not enough proof of the context and it being a work expense. Live and learn.
Unpaid freelance invoices (approx $1000)
Loved the work. Hated the chasing of payment. I did a series of features and was paid for about half. Struggling magazine, new editors, tardy accounts ... just one big clusterfuck.
Unrefunded bond (approx $700)
Our last tenancy was a nightmare. Anything to put that memory behind me.