Are you being used? When to watch your back

It’s all about her

If you're always adjusting your schedule to fit your friend's needs -- and there's no sense that he or she does the same, watch out, says Masini. "Real friends balance the need to take care of themselves with being generous and taking care of you, too," she explains. "Compromise is part of any healthy relationship, and if your friend isn't compromising or adjusting his or her schedule as often as you are, there's not equality and there's not generosity, and there's every reason to believe this is a friendship that hinges on your friend's terms, not a mutual back and forth."

She’s unreliable

When your friend invites you to do things -- and then un-invites you when someone better comes along, it’s not a good sign. It means you're a place-holder, not a friend, explains Masini. "Your friend thinks you're OK for now, but not a life-long, through thick and thin friend," she says. "This isn't someone you can call if you're sick and need soup or a ride to the emergency room. This is someone who's great for shopping and lunch -- as long as he or she doesn't have anything better to do or [anyone] better to do it with."

You always come in second

Rethink your loyalty to someone who makes plans with you for the weekend and drops you as soon as he or she has a date. "Even if it's a first, second or third date, you're second fiddle to the date -- not a friend," notes Masini. "Real friends can have romantic relationships and still respect their friendships. Men and women who put their dates ahead of their friends every single time without fail have a very clear priority that puts you second," she explains. "Who wants to be second best?"

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She always wants something

We all like to share with our friends, but if it’s your stuff, rather than you that your "friend" is more interested in, you might want to steer clear. "This friend likes your stuff more than you, and always wants to bring other friends along whenever you've got something like the car, free passes to something or are hosting an intimate party," explains Masini. "You happen to be lucky or resourceful enough to have a lot of money to spend, a great place or a terrific car, and you're beginning to think your friend never has time for just you, but is using you for your stuff," she adds. "Trust your instincts. Gold-diggers aren't just women looking for sugar daddies. They can be friends digging for opportunity."