My Parents and In-laws are in their early 60s and spending money like there is no tomorrow. Neither of them has a very solid retirement plan. My parents did have a good plan however in her 50's my mother began to take in dead beat relatives and basically has blown my parents security on trying to help them.
My In-laws have joined an international group to help orphanages in India. They fly there several times a year and are blowing their money on this calling that they have. A few years ago they fell into this group of wealthy philanthropists and are trying to keep up however my in-laws are not wealthy.
I can tell that both sets of parents are beginning to reach their financial end. The women still work however each is only one fall or medical event away from not being able to work anymore. The men have a collection of various ailments that prevent them from working much at all.
Outwardly their efforts are to be commended however few others stop to consider what is going to happen to them in old age. They have little to fall back on and I am personally sure that a day will come when I find them on my door step with suitcases in hand.
I have tried to politely suggest that they pull back and consider their future however it falls on deaf ears. It seems irresponsible to me of them to put themselves into this position. My parents and In-laws must think that I will come in and save the day however I have a lot of young children to think about. I do not need four more old demanding ones.
When the time comes my plan is to turn them away. It is a harsh thing to do however my first responsibility is to my children. Both my parents and In-laws have lead fairly irresponsible lives as of late. I can not afford to let their lack of planning threaten the peace, security and quality of our lives. I would not be surprised if subconsciously they are looking for an excuse to crash into our lives so that they can forget their worries play with grandchildren all day and let me and my wife pay for everything.
The issue that I keep thinking about is if I should clearly warn them of my intent or not? I have tried to subtly warn them however they just are not getting it. Do I have a responsibility to step in and intervene on their own behalf? Should I chase away all the relatives and shatter their ill considered dreams of helping others? I don't know what to do.
SkyHigh