I just don't get it - parents + money

charlie792

Sometimes I just want to tell my parents that I think they are making stupidly big mistakes but I know they wouldn't listen to me anyway...

My folks have had financial problems on and off in the past, when I was growing up they ended up in a lot of debt as my dad was self employed and his business had to close so they lost my dads salary. It took my folks a long time to get out, but about 6 years ago everything worked itself out and they've finally re-built things, moved to the country and a few years bought a new house.

They've complained on and off how they never have enough cash, and that I shouldn't expect much for birthdays etc (Not that I do anyway) but they say they don't have enough money and yet then go and buy something stupidly expensive.....

I mean last year whilst at uni my computer died, I couldn't afford a new one and I never expected them to buy me one, but did ask if maybe they could lend me a bit towards it that Id pay back when my next loan came through. They said they didnt have any money so I made do, a few weeks later I went back home to find they'd both bought themselves brand new (ridiclously expensive) laptops....

A few months later, again they say they have nothing and can't afford to even buy oil to heat the house, but they bought a Wii with loads of games and a dog (which cost a lot but don't even get me started on that)

There is so many things that they seem to buy etc which they either don't realistically need....

My mum was made redundant on Monday, and although was given a pay-off to leave its not huge, a couple of £K etc.... My mum was the main earner in the house, my dad earns half of what she does...baring in mind they need to somehow pay the huge mortgage on the place Id have thought the logical option would be to save all the money they can, especially from what my mum was given - except I phoned her this afternoon and she said she was out shopping, planning on what to spend her money on, amongst her list is an Ipod....

They have finally accepted that sky has to go, they pay over £60 a month just for that which they don't watch anyway, plus another £40 on phoneline and internet.... But I told them to get rid of this years ago...heck I pay £30 a month for everything....

Don't get me wrong I know its not my place to tell them where to spend thier money but it just seems that their priorities are totally wrong, it makes me glad that I no longer live at home sometimes

Becles

It's their money and up to them what they spend it on.

My parents go on expensive holidays every year and joke that they are spending my inheritance. They have a fantastic time and enjoy the travelling and it's nice to see them happy and relaxed.

VfM4meplse

Different priorities, that's all - two people who obviously think life is for living in the present. They are however both adults, so what they choose to spend their money on is their business and shouldn't bother you.

Be grateful for your more mature outlook.

Jinx

I know what you mean....... I learnt my own lesson the hard way and have spent years paying for it; yet I see my mum splashing the cash on her credit cards knowing that they arent clear and I worry about her....especially when she starts talking about working until shes 72!!!

She also does the 'I'm skint' thing then goes on a skiing holiday or buys herself a Wii for example. Drives me nuts - especially as when she is skint she'll borrow money off me and while I always get it back I worry about being able to say 'no' to her when I do actually have money. Soooo difficult......

puddy

sounds like they'll soon be in trouble again financially, probably lose the house. nothing you can do about it, except dont plan on inheritance providing you with a pension, cos thats not going to happen

Errata

Why worry about it, they aren't.

charlie792

Well to be honest it seems crazy to even decide to continue living where they are, they don't need the same size house now (although I know they wanted this to be thier forever home kind of thing) but I mean, Ive moved out, my sister will probably be moving out in the forseeable future, on top of that they live in a rural location where jobs are pants anyway and house prices are HUGE.
I know where I live isn't exactly great but they could get a 8 bed house here (not that they'd need it) for what they pay for their 4 bed, as it is they'll be paying thier mortgage off well into thier 70's

bluenoseam

Hey, it could be worse - trust me on that!

RAS

Mum

Hope everything is going fine.

Know you are cancelling Sky, thought you might find this helpful http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html

There is also this really good web-site called http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com where people seems to have lots of ideas and freebies.


????????????

Jinx

RAS wrote: »

Mum

Hope everything is going fine.

Know you are cancelling Sky, thought you might find this helpful http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html

There is also this really good web-site called http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com where people seems to have lots of ideas and freebies.


????????????

Yep, Im working on that one and my mum has improved slightly but not enough! lol

pigpen

swap you!?

My mother comes round with a bailiffs letter and a bill for £590... from a parking ticket unpaid from April.... Muppet here gets to pay that. how much have I had back? .. not a brass farthing.

I bought 90% of the christmas presents from her to my children

And she owes £700 on MY credit card.. another saga...

She is clueless when it comes to money.. I offer to help.. she blubbers on me says I shouldn't have to yadayada... and does not a thing about it...

So when she rang last week.. couldn't find £125 I aid 'oh' .... not what she was expecting