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Do I tell dsis that I've had enough of her asking for df's money?

7 replies

amigababy · 07/09/2014 16:33

I'll try to summarise - dsis is approaching retirement age, her dh is well over retirement age (my point is they should have got the hang of money by now)

They are moving house (down-sizing to release some equity) and have now realised they are short of cash. They have already asked df for £2.5k which I didn't know about. And have now asked for a further £4k. Df is 80, and only on a state pension. He has some savings, so could afford it, but lives in sheltered council flats, spends very little on himself - that's why he has savings. He has told me about it today, isn't very happy and isn't sure if he's being "taken for a mug". The total would be about 30% of his total savings.

Dsis always fits out her houses (she has moved a lot) very nicely, buys a new car every 2 years, has foreign holidays etc. She did not come to visit df for his 80th birthday as she couldn't afford it (she is in Europe) but shortly after, bought a pedigree puppet. Df has just recovered from cancer, during which she hasn't been to visit at all, despite anguished contact at the start about which airport she should try to fly to if needed. Df has all his marbles, is financially astute, but I can tell he feels torn as to what to do when it doesn't sit easily with him. (All through her marriage she has asked for "top-ups" from df (and dm when they were together). Her own dh hasn't worked for 25 years though he has a pension.)

I've tried not to colour df's choices as in the end it's up to him. But as usual when she asks for cash, I am now at home fuming at her cheek/inability to manage money at her age.
My wwyd is that as I am tired of playing the naive little sis, do I call her out on her treatment of df? Or do I carry on with saying nothing, as in the past? I'm nearly 50 myself and sometimes think I get a bit tired of being too nice and hiding my feelings Sad

OP posts:
amigababy · 07/09/2014 16:34

sorry, she didn't buy a puppet, it was a puppy!

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AMumInScotland · 07/09/2014 17:03

It sounds like your Dad is clear enough that he's being taken for a mug, so I would just reassure him that Yes, he is being totally reasonable not to give her any money. As you say, she ought to be able to deal with her own budget by now.

It sounds like your Dad just wants someone to tell him he's not being nasty.

I don't think you should really get directly involved though unless it comes up in conversation - it's between the two of them, so long as he is not mentally or emotionally unable to deal with difficult situations, which doesn't sound the case.

sykadelic · 09/09/2014 23:41

Agree with AMumInScotland that I think he wants someone to agree he's not being mean by saying no.

I would let your Dad deal with it but if she puts pressure on him you might need to step in if he needs you to.

Why does DSis know his financial situation? I'd suggest that he tie the money up in an account he can't access for a while or something. Or lie.

Or tell her the truth "I'm sorry I'm not comfortable loaning you that amount of money".

notapizzaeater · 09/09/2014 23:44

I agree too, sounds like he wants backup if it gets nasty.

Would they be borrowing the money or giving it back ?

amigababy · 10/09/2014 19:21

thanks for all your replies. He does talk about his finances I think just because he doesn't see it as secret. I suggested him saying no to the big amount but offering a further 500 to cover their first years interest, as they'll have to borrow from a bank without him. That way they realize they are still responsible for the capital. I don't know what he decided to do in the end. ( if he gave it all it would definitely be a gift!)

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tobysmum77 · 13/09/2014 08:50

omg that's awful I assumed he was well off Shock .

If it was my brother I'd tell him myself. asking for 4k off someone who only has 12k in the world? absolutely shocking imo.

amigababy · 13/09/2014 16:57

An update , I just called him and he's given them another £2.5k. Of the £4k they asked for. I think he was just trying to find a middle ground between what they wanted and what he felt comfortable with. Dsis has only emailed me her new address and said the move has been a nightmare. I suspect she'll gloss over the money side of it with me. C'est la vie.....

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