DH and I have worked really hard all our lives and have always lived quite sensibly, I wouldn't say frugally but more camping holidays in France than big trips to Disney.
We both grew up really poor. We are retired with the mortgage paid (our house is worth around £800k), we have a couple of hundred thousand in savings and a decent monthly allowance from defined contribution pensions (not much short of what we were earning when working).
Our kids are financially independent and also very sensible, no worries there.
The problem is our extended families on both sides are financially struggling. Over the years they have spent their cash on living well! eg; cars, amazing holidays and the latest tech. Their children have the same outlook and there are debts and CCJs in the mix.
My brother in law's family are really struggling to the point of being on the verge of losing their home. The thing is no one really knows our financial position at all.
Would you offer to help out or would you just remain quiet? We are fairly close to both sides of the family and it's killing a little bit of me not to offer to help. But if we help one side we'll have to help the others and then our little best egg that we worked so hard for will be gone.
Selfishly, I love the peace of mind that goes with financial security but I hate the guilt.