Money Moral Dilemma: What should I do with the inherited money that I feel guilty about spending?

silverwhistle

You're not alone in feelings of guilt and there's no rush. My 96 year old mum died just over a year ago and in late spring I received my share of her (and dad's) estate which considering the nursing home fees rather surprised me. No rush to spend but I did buy a slightly more expensive Irish whistle at around £100 which I could have afforded from my own money, but sort of ascribed it to the inheritance as something which I'll keep and give me pleasure.

Now a year later I'm planning a new kitchen which should basically see me out, so the shock at the cost of kitchen quartz worktops is not what it once might have been. Showing off a new kitchen to mum won't be possible but I do know she'd have been so pleased for me and would have encouraged me to do so.

I'm a bit sniffly typing this, but you can grieve, smile at the memories and spend that money, maybe in a way that you otherwise wouldn't have. Whoever it was won't have remembered you just to make you feel guilty.

Cantandrex

People make bequests in wills to people that they love and care for, in the hope that the reward will be used for for something they would like or need or maybe couldn't afford. In a similar situation it took nearly 5 years after my late fathers death to accept the more privileged position I found myself in, and yet another 2 years to accept that spending the money was OK. Maybe set yourself a timeframe after which you think you will feel OK about spending the money, but only when you feel OK about it!