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AIBU?

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Wealthy MIL hoarding money

687 replies

hoardingwealth · 19/04/2026 09:03

MIL is worth a few Million. Lives in a 6 bed, 6 bath mansion. Has multiple cars. Takes several long haul holidays every year, always business class. Lots of investments. Lots and lots of properties that she rents out. She's in very good health and in her mid 70's. Most women in the family live until 95. I'd say she's on track to do the same.

Now here's the rub. She was given a property and a business by her wealthy parents. She also inherited substantially. But she has effectively pulled up the ladder behind her, and has not given any such help to DH or his brother. We are ok for money, however BIL is on the breadline. He has young kids too. They are crammed into a tiny ex-council house and live pay cheque to pay cheque. They have no treats or niceties, no meals out, no holidays etc, as the money just won't stretch.

Obviously when MIL passes, unless she needs care, DH and BIL will receive a very nice inheritance, but if she does indeed live until 95, DH and BIL will be in their early 70's by then.

How would you feel about this? I'm struggling to wrap my head around it, tbh. DH and I have adult children, and we have helped them financially to get on the housing ladder, to get married etc, even though we don't have anything near this kind of wealth.

AIBU to think that MIL should have done the same as her parents did for her, and given DH and BIL a leg up, just like she had?

Has anyone else experienced this?

OP posts:
HermioneWeasley · 19/04/2026 09:11

Even if she was gone a business to keep it successful will have been hard work. Perhaps she feels she’s entitled to enjoy her retirement? Perhaps she disapproves of BIL’s choices and feels he should make changes/earn more? Perhaps she’s worried about care home fees which can easily be £100k+ Pa and can’t afford to give away any income generating assets?

if you’re comfortable and BIL isn’t why don’t give him some of your money?

Mosaic80 · 19/04/2026 09:10

Yes, it think that’s just bizarre to have benefited from the help yourself, have the funds and still offer nothing - not even a wedding payment? Did she pay for private school, first cars, driving lessons etc? Do you all get on well with her aside from this?

Of course you can’t dictate what others do with their money but it doesn’t seem normal imho to not want your DC to live comfortable lives if you can.

Nowvoyager99 · 19/04/2026 09:10

You will get a pile on about how entitled it is to expect MIL to share any of her wealth with BIL.

Meanwhile, 90% of us would take great pleasure in being able to lift our DC out of a difficult financial situation.

AngryHerring · 19/04/2026 09:09

She has 2 sons. Notoriously they don't provide adequate care for aging mothers. (I KNOW! no need to say it)

Beamur · 19/04/2026 09:08

I think when you would make different choices yourself, it's hard to understand why a wealthy parent wouldn't do more to share that with their children. But ultimately she can see for herself that her son is financially struggling and doesn't offer any support. Her choice. But not one I would understand either.

AngryHerring · 19/04/2026 09:08

honestly? of COURSE she is "hoarding" her own money with family like that she is going to have to rely on paid help until she finally carks it and you can all make whoopie on her dime.

WhatAMarvelousTune · 19/04/2026 09:08

YANBU. Obviously no one should expect help and people can spend their money how they like, but that doesn’t mean watching your child struggling and not helping when you could isn’t a bit shitty. I would offer help if it was needed and I could.

MagpiePi · 19/04/2026 09:07

She can do what she wants with her own money.

PoppinjayPolly · 19/04/2026 09:06

Is a mil a dragon? “Hoarding” her own money?

TheBeatlesWhoarethey · 19/04/2026 09:05

There is nothing you can do about it, so the best thing to do is focus on living your own life.

I guess with your BIL all you can do is be hopeful that his children will benefit from the inheritance.

PassTheCranberrySauce · 19/04/2026 09:05

Can your DH sit her down for a chat on behalf of his brother?

araiwa · 19/04/2026 09:04

It's so easy spending other people's money