My family decided in November on not buying Christmas gifts this year as we are all adults and have what we need anyway. I get paid once a month and right now am living cheque to cheque. So I spent the money I had saved up on extra credit payments. Now they've changed their minds and all want gifts. I have 25 dollars to last me til the 30th. How do I get through this holiday without being as bitter as I am now? And not feel like a loser for no one having a gift? [more inside]
posted by beautifulcheese on Dec 12, 2009 - 27 answers

As a follow-up to this question I asked last week... What *practical* things have you done as a loved one of friends or family that were struggling financially or were stuck in a cycle of poverty. Have you loaned money? Paid bills? Helped them write a budget? Let them move in? Bought them groceries? Filled up their gas tank? There must be other things I'm not thinking about. What advice would you give to a parent whose adult child was floundering?
posted by jeffreyclong on Oct 22, 2009 - 14 answers

In twenty-five years i'll be retiring with my minimal social security benefits and medicare to keep me briefly going. I've got no savings right now, but I'm almost done paying my debts. I rent. I want somewhere tiny, a bungalow with a kitchen, perhaps a tiny garden, stonking bandwidth, maybe near a lake, maybe near a wood, but really not so much. I just want to whittle sticks, greet neighbours, not climb stairs, and hack on code. I don't mind renting again until i die. Where should I move in the US, and when? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 22, 2009 - 6 answers

Money and family. It gets sticky. Moving towards financial independence, and wondering how other people deal with money and their families. What's the rub? [more inside]
posted by Rocket26 on Aug 16, 2009 - 62 answers

An appeal to very patient people: Please help us plan our financial/academic future! [more inside]
posted by Tarumba on Jul 7, 2009 - 5 answers

How can my 18-year-old sister make enough money to move out on her own when she has no car or license, no job experience, and unsupportive parents? [more inside]
posted by logic vs love on Apr 27, 2009 - 34 answers

How to write a brief email to a disrespectful parent who stole money to try to get it back? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Feb 20, 2009 - 18 answers

What can/should we do to help my father-in-law? He's mismanaged his money, he's unemployed and he's in danger of losing everything. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 12, 2009 - 15 answers

I received a check for $3,000 from my mother who I have not spoken to for nearly seven years. Should I cash the check? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 29, 2008 - 45 answers

How to handle a retro-reduced inheritance? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 13, 2008 - 14 answers

A family member loaned me money a few years ago. I would like to pay it back with interest. How much interest should I pay it back with? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 17, 2008 - 21 answers

I have a business idea. For the last 8 month I have day-dreamed about making it happen. I find myself ironing out all the details that would make the business run, but I lack the funding and experience of running a business. There are also personal issues that I keep me from moving on to the next step (not that I know what the next step is). Come on in for the rest… [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 15, 2008 - 10 answers

How do I tell my husband about being representative payee for my sister's SSI payments? We've helped her before, and they don't get along. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 30, 2008 - 16 answers

Debt collectors are calling about a bill from 6-7 years ago. The bill actually belongs to my father whom I have redirected their inquiries. They keep calling and the billing information they gave to me is my fathers old address but for some reason they have my social security number attached to the bill. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 28, 2008 - 11 answers

My uncle recently sent me some money through my sister. And just as she always has done, she's frittered it away and I'll never see a cent of it. I don't really care because I'm used to it, and I don't care for the money either. But how can I warn my uncle without giving off a "Give me more money" message? [more inside]
posted by Xere on Aug 20, 2007 - 12 answers

How can I help my dad who has begun to lose all hope? My father has gone through a string of major life setbacks lately. I'm worried about his health, his mental state, and his future. And I'm wondering how best to help him turn things around. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 23, 2007 - 9 answers

FinancialFilter: I am going to help out a family member pay off some credit card debt (over the IRS 10K gift limit.) What is the bet way... [more inside]
posted by cowmix on Jul 22, 2005 - 9 answers

I'm moving into an apartment with my two brothers in about a week. The younger one has had major issues over the past year finding a job and paying rent. What can I do to help him? [more inside]
posted by bibbit on May 23, 2005 - 10 answers