Relatives who just don't get it

[AnnaGrowsAMustache]

I got a lottery ticket for Christmas. Mother-in-law says if I win, I need to add a room to my house. For months, she's been telling my wife things like "I think you'd be happier with some more room". We're all staying together for the next week and I'll need to bite my tongue from saying "OH I'M SORRY, IS MY 3-BR, 2400-SQ FOOT HOUSE NOT BIG ENOUGH FOR MY FAMILY OF FOUR? AT LEAST I DIDN'T LOSE MY HOUSE TO FORECLOSURE SIX YEARS AGO LIKE YOU DID. AT LEAST I DIDN'T REMOVE VALUE FROM MY NEW HOUSE BY COMBINING TWO BEDROOMS INTO ONE LIKE YOU DID. AT LEAST I DON'T HAVE THREE STORAGE BUILDINGS FULL OF CRAP LIKE YOU DO. AT LEAST I DON'T PAY 25% CREDIT CARD INTEREST LIKE YOU DO. AT LEAST I'M NOT SIXTY YEARS OLD AND WORKS LONG HOURS AND HAS A NEGATIVE NET WORTH LIKE YOU. IF YOU THINK ANYONE NEEDS ANOTHER ROOM FULL OF CRAP TO BE HAPPY, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPINESS IS!"

ahahhahhaha, love it! Funny how the financially dim always know what you need.

[Fi(re) on the Farm]

I got a lottery ticket for Christmas. Mother-in-law says if I win, I need to add a room to my house. For months, she's been telling my wife things like "I think you'd be happier with some more room". We're all staying together for the next week and I'll need to bite my tongue from saying "OH I'M SORRY, IS MY 3-BR, 2400-SQ FOOT HOUSE NOT BIG ENOUGH FOR MY FAMILY OF FOUR? AT LEAST I DIDN'T LOSE MY HOUSE TO FORECLOSURE SIX YEARS AGO LIKE YOU DID. AT LEAST I DIDN'T REMOVE VALUE FROM MY NEW HOUSE BY COMBINING TWO BEDROOMS INTO ONE LIKE YOU DID. AT LEAST I DON'T HAVE THREE STORAGE BUILDINGS FULL OF CRAP LIKE YOU DO. AT LEAST I DON'T PAY 25% CREDIT CARD INTEREST LIKE YOU DO. AT LEAST I'M NOT SIXTY YEARS OLD AND WORKS LONG HOURS AND HAS A NEGATIVE NET WORTH LIKE YOU. IF YOU THINK ANYONE NEEDS ANOTHER ROOM FULL OF CRAP TO BE HAPPY, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPINESS IS!"

That's an epic rant - if it was my MIL she'd want us to build an extra room because she wants someplace to live when she's broke.

[Dicey]

I got a lottery ticket for Christmas. Mother-in-law says if I win, I need to add a room to my house. For months, she's been telling my wife things like "I think you'd be happier with some more room". We're all staying together for the next week and I'll need to bite my tongue from saying "OH I'M SORRY, IS MY 3-BR, 2400-SQ FOOT HOUSE NOT BIG ENOUGH FOR MY FAMILY OF FOUR? AT LEAST I DIDN'T LOSE MY HOUSE TO FORECLOSURE SIX YEARS AGO LIKE YOU DID. AT LEAST I DIDN'T REMOVE VALUE FROM MY NEW HOUSE BY COMBINING TWO BEDROOMS INTO ONE LIKE YOU DID. AT LEAST I DON'T HAVE THREE STORAGE BUILDINGS FULL OF CRAP LIKE YOU DO. AT LEAST I DON'T PAY 25% CREDIT CARD INTEREST LIKE YOU DO. AT LEAST I'M NOT SIXTY YEARS OLD AND WORKS LONG HOURS AND HAS A NEGATIVE NET WORTH LIKE YOU. IF YOU THINK ANYONE NEEDS ANOTHER ROOM FULL OF CRAP TO BE HAPPY, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPINESS IS!"

That's an epic rant - if it was my MIL she'd want us to build an extra room because she wants someplace to live when she's broke.

Funny, I was expecting that to be part of Shivan's epic rant. Maybe fear of that is the fuel. Personally, I'd be very worried. Hell, I'd be looking into the Witness Protection Program.

[zolotiyeruki]

Family's weird, man. I'll give it another go, thanks for the suggestion @Roadrunner53. But that's my final try.

challenging their choices head on may produce more backlash than progress. A more effective approach may be to ask questions that will lead him to realize the folly of his path. "Wow, $1m is a lot of mortgage! What's the monthly payment like?" "Does that mean you'll have to pay for anything that breaks, like a furnace?" "Are there property taxes on it, too?"

[OtherJen]

Family's weird, man. I'll give it another go, thanks for the suggestion @Roadrunner53. But that's my final try.

challenging their choices head on may produce more backlash than progress. A more effective approach may be to ask questions that will lead him to realize the folly of his path. "Wow, $1m is a lot of mortgage! What's the monthly payment like?" "Does that mean you'll have to pay for anything that breaks, like a furnace?" "Are there property taxes on it, too?"

Or you could simply waste your breath and have the joy (sarcasm) of hearing them complain about those things 2 years later.

I have a couple of friends who recently bought a big first house that they really couldn't afford or manage even on two salaries. Because their parents gave them the full downpayment and they had a lot of lines of credit with which to fill the house with furniture, they waived off all of my kind suggestions (from more than a decade of homeownership) to make sure that they set aside money for taxes, insurance, and upkeep. Two years later, they're living on debt—although they "had" to hire a housekeeper because they're always working and because their neighbors all have housekeepers—and complaining about how expensive their property taxes are. Between the complaining, the fawning over perceived wealthier neighbors, and the condescending comments about my small house, I've definitely reduced the amount of time that I spend with them.

[Apples]

Family's weird, man. I'll give it another go, thanks for the suggestion @Roadrunner53. But that's my final try.

challenging their choices head on may produce more backlash than progress. A more effective approach may be to ask questions that will lead him to realize the folly of his path. "Wow, $1m is a lot of mortgage! What's the monthly payment like?" "Does that mean you'll have to pay for anything that breaks, like a furnace?" "Are there property taxes on it, too?"

+1,000,000.  This is the most effective strategy I've found for challenging ideas while in a public place and/or trying to socialize.  Make comments about "wow, you're so confident, you must have really sat down and looked hard at your budget", "is there anything you'll have to give up for the house?  I know that kind of thing can be worth it", "man, when the A/C breaks that's a lot of house to cool back down", "do you know who you're going to call for big repairs", "any idea, % wise, how much more utilities will be?"  All said in a polite, interested tone of voice.  Usually the other person changes the conversation when they start getting uncomfortable.  This doesn't work on jerks who would turn it around and call you weird for asking so many boring/money questions, just live life man.  Also works well to shut down the convo when MLM products come up.  Ask them what's in in and how it works.  Demand a specific answer.  All with enthusiasm, as if if you could only understand how it worked, you'd of course buy some.

[LPG]

Family's weird, man. I'll give it another go, thanks for the suggestion @Roadrunner53. But that's my final try.

challenging their choices head on may produce more backlash than progress. A more effective approach may be to ask questions that will lead him to realize the folly of his path. "Wow, $1m is a lot of mortgage! What's the monthly payment like?" "Does that mean you'll have to pay for anything that breaks, like a furnace?" "Are there property taxes on it, too?"

+1,000,000.  This is the most effective strategy I've found for challenging ideas while in a public place and/or trying to socialize.  Make comments about "wow, you're so confident, you must have really sat down and looked hard at your budget", "is there anything you'll have to give up for the house?  I know that kind of thing can be worth it", "man, when the A/C breaks that's a lot of house to cool back down", "do you know who you're going to call for big repairs", "any idea, % wise, how much more utilities will be?"  All said in a polite, interested tone of voice.  Usually the other person changes the conversation when they start getting uncomfortable.  This doesn't work on jerks who would turn it around and call you weird for asking so many boring/money questions, just live life man.  Also works well to shut down the convo when MLM products come up.  Ask them what's in in and how it works.  Demand a specific answer.  All with enthusiasm, as if if you could only understand how it worked, you'd of course buy some.

Ahahahahaha! Well, I think I've just learned that I'm socially awkward. I usually behave that way out of genuine enthusiasm and a desire to understand. And to even give it a chance, and consider it. I wonder how often I accidentally make people so uncomfortable that they back down, when really I'm just trying to make sense of it and hoping to get excited.

[Nederstash]

Family's weird, man. I'll give it another go, thanks for the suggestion @Roadrunner53. But that's my final try.

challenging their choices head on may produce more backlash than progress. A more effective approach may be to ask questions that will lead him to realize the folly of his path. "Wow, $1m is a lot of mortgage! What's the monthly payment like?" "Does that mean you'll have to pay for anything that breaks, like a furnace?" "Are there property taxes on it, too?"

+1,000,000.  This is the most effective strategy I've found for challenging ideas while in a public place and/or trying to socialize.  Make comments about "wow, you're so confident, you must have really sat down and looked hard at your budget", "is there anything you'll have to give up for the house?  I know that kind of thing can be worth it", "man, when the A/C breaks that's a lot of house to cool back down", "do you know who you're going to call for big repairs", "any idea, % wise, how much more utilities will be?"  All said in a polite, interested tone of voice.  Usually the other person changes the conversation when they start getting uncomfortable.  This doesn't work on jerks who would turn it around and call you weird for asking so many boring/money questions, just live life man.  Also works well to shut down the convo when MLM products come up.  Ask them what's in in and how it works.  Demand a specific answer.  All with enthusiasm, as if if you could only understand how it worked, you'd of course buy some.

these are great questions, definitely gonna use them!

[Shivan]

I got a lottery ticket for Christmas. Mother-in-law says if I win, I need to add a room to my house. For months, she's been telling my wife things like "I think you'd be happier with some more room". We're all staying together for the next week and I'll need to bite my tongue from saying "OH I'M SORRY, IS MY 3-BR, 2400-SQ FOOT HOUSE NOT BIG ENOUGH FOR MY FAMILY OF FOUR? AT LEAST I DIDN'T LOSE MY HOUSE TO FORECLOSURE SIX YEARS AGO LIKE YOU DID. AT LEAST I DIDN'T REMOVE VALUE FROM MY NEW HOUSE BY COMBINING TWO BEDROOMS INTO ONE LIKE YOU DID. AT LEAST I DON'T HAVE THREE STORAGE BUILDINGS FULL OF CRAP LIKE YOU DO. AT LEAST I DON'T PAY 25% CREDIT CARD INTEREST LIKE YOU DO. AT LEAST I'M NOT SIXTY YEARS OLD AND WORKS LONG HOURS AND HAS A NEGATIVE NET WORTH LIKE YOU. IF YOU THINK ANYONE NEEDS ANOTHER ROOM FULL OF CRAP TO BE HAPPY, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPINESS IS!"

That's an epic rant - if it was my MIL she'd want us to build an extra room because she wants someplace to live when she's broke.

I asked my wife if the MIL was pushing for a future room. The wife said no, MIL just thinks we need more space because our house is cluttered. Uh... how about we get rid of clutter instead?

Also, I thought of more things I want to say to my MIL:

IT'S FUNNY HOW YOU THINK I NEED A FOURTH BEDROOM WITH TWO KIDS, WHEN YOU HAVE THREE KIDS, YOU HAD THREE BEDROOMS, AND YOU COMBINED TWO BEDROOMS INTO ONE BECAUSE YOU'RE SELFISH AND UNHAPPY. NOW YOUR KIDS HAVE TO SLEEP ON THE COUCH WHEN THEY COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS. YOU BARELY SAW YOUR GRANDKIDS THIS CHRISTMAS BECAUSE YOU'RE ALWAYS WORKING OR SHOPPING WHEN YOU COULD'VE RETIRED TWENTY YEARS AGO IF YOU MADE BETTER DECISIONS. MY KIDS BARELY SAW THEIR GRANDFATHER EITHER BECAUSE YOU'RE MAKING HIM BUILD NEW SHELVES FOR SOME REASON. AND NOW YOU'RE PICKING OUT WHAT COLOR YOU WANT TO PAINT THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR BRICK HOUSE. YOU'RE PATHOLOGICAL AND INSANE!

[zolotiyeruki]

Painting brick? What is wrong with people these days!?!?

[markbike528CBX]

Painting brick? What is wrong with people these days!?!?

Agreed.

We had an rental apartment where the brick wall was painted flat white around the fireplace.   
DW repainted it to have brick-ish sort of colors, with "mortar lines" included.

[shelivesthedream]

Painting brick? What is wrong with people these days!?!?

Where we live, about every other house is painted. Most of them are painted... dark terracotta. You paint your bricks...brick coloured. An unpainted brick or stone exterior is on my dream house wish list. I have not got time to be painting things I don't have to.

[Roadrunner53]

Oh, no! Painting bricks and flagstone walkways are just wrong! The paint always peels off and it becomes an ugly mess. There will be areas where the paint will last forever and others that peel. We had a painted flagstone porch and it looked terrific when first painted a silver gray. Then with the heat of the summer and freezing temps of the winter it started to peel and pieces of paint would end up in the house. Finally, Hub got some kind of paint remover, let it sit and then power washed it off. Now it looks natural again. NO MORE PAINT on stones or brick! Removing it was a lot of work

[Dixie_Amazon]

Painted brick makes no sense to me either. and so many people have done it in our neighborhood. Nothing like ruining a low maintenance exterior.

[Threshkin]

I had a house that had old indoor-outdoor carpet glued to the concrete front porch.  Removing the glue was a nightmare!

[Just Joe]

Painting floors can last but $$$

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=66867

We had to remove glued down green outdoor carpet from a house we owned. Took a big grinder with a wire brush. Maybe a pressure washer would have worked.

[Threshkin]

Painting floors can last but $$$

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=66867

We had to remove glued down green outdoor carpet from a house we owned. Took a big grinder with a wire brush. Maybe a pressure washer would have worked.

We wound up using a chemical stripper.  Ugh....

[Linea_Norway]

My BIL and his GF used to be frugal people and get all the stuff for their child second hand. But I get the impression now that they have started to change the last year. They now own 2 cars, although only one of them has a driver's license. One is electric for work and one is petrol for longer distances.
They now have a house cleaner. They just went on a 4 week vacation to South Africa with their kids, last possibility to travel long and far before the eldest child started at school.

I hope it won't continue in the wrong direction.

[By the River]

Painted brick makes no sense to me either. and so many people have done it in our neighborhood. Nothing like ruining a low maintenance exterior.

My sister had a new subdivision built next to them.  The houses all have painted brick. A few of the houses were built with one section of red brick, another section of tan, etc. and then just painted.  So if (when) styles change and the new owners remove the paint, Surprise!

[zolotiyeruki]

Painted brick makes no sense to me either. and so many people have done it in our neighborhood. Nothing like ruining a low maintenance exterior.

My sister had a new subdivision built next to them.  The houses all have painted brick. A few of the houses were built with one section of red brick, another section of tan, etc. and then just painted.  So if (when) styles change and the new owners remove the paint, Surprise!

Do you mean that these are brand new homes with painted brick?  That makes no sense.  Brick costs more, so why would you install it just to paint over it? 

[Dicey]

Painted brick makes no sense to me either. and so many people have done it in our neighborhood. Nothing like ruining a low maintenance exterior.

My sister had a new subdivision built next to them.  The houses all have painted brick. A few of the houses were built with one section of red brick, another section of tan, etc. and then just painted.  So if (when) styles change and the new owners remove the paint, Surprise!

Do you mean that these are brand new homes with painted brick?  That makes no sense.  Brick costs more, so why would you install it just to paint over it?

I blame HGTV. Fixer Upper was probably the worst offender, but there are plenty of others. i suspect HGTV's corporate motto is something along the lines of "Change is Good". That's because leaving well enough alone doesn't generate any revenue.

[Dixie_Amazon]

Painted brick makes no sense to me either. and so many people have done it in our neighborhood. Nothing like ruining a low maintenance exterior.

My sister had a new subdivision built next to them.  The houses all have painted brick. A few of the houses were built with one section of red brick, another section of tan, etc. and then just painted.  So if (when) styles change and the new owners remove the paint, Surprise!

Do you mean that these are brand new homes with painted brick?  That makes no sense.  Brick costs more, so why would you install it just to paint over it?

I blame HGTV. Fixer Upper was probably the worst offender, but there are plenty of others. i suspect HGTV's corporate motto is something along the lines of "Change is Good". That's because leaving well enough alone doesn't generate any revenue.

I wonder how many people don't use masonry paint and learn to regret it?

[ysette9]

I pretty much hate the look of brick and so when my mother painted their old brick fireplace mantel thingie white, I thought it was a big improvement. Then again, it was indoors and only used to store family photos, so it wasn’t exactly going to wear.

[By the River]

Painted brick makes no sense to me either. and so many people have done it in our neighborhood. Nothing like ruining a low maintenance exterior.

My sister had a new subdivision built next to them.  The houses all have painted brick. A few of the houses were built with one section of red brick, another section of tan, etc. and then just painted.  So if (when) styles change and the new owners remove the paint, Surprise!

Do you mean that these are brand new homes with painted brick?  That makes no sense.  Brick costs more, so why would you install it just to paint over it?

Yes...new houses...new brick...painted!   I do not see the logic either. 

[Abundant life]

My mom is a bit too frugal, at times.  (I can't believe I am saying this... me thinking someone is TOO frugal...).

I asked my father for a Christmas present, a life-safety emergency item that was more than I can afford (well, it is 2 months of my personal expenses, so a stretch when I am buying presents for my kids), and more than they usually spend on me for Christmas.    I was hoping he would say yes for three reasons:
1) He really wants me to be safe and healthy, and this relates to an activity we do together. 
2) I have just put in a lot of hours for free, for his side business. 
3) He spends about 4x that every month just giving away cash and things to other people who randomly ask him (through his church).. in addition to his generous church donations.   

He called me up, and said that he would buy it for me, mainly because of 1) life safety device that he can afford, and 2) it would not be a Christmas present, and 3) he was happy to know something that I wanted (I never ask for things).     Yay! right?!

My mom calls 2 days later and says that she saw my request and they will get it for me, but it will be for Christmas plus birthdays for the next one or two years.  ..um... yay?

I should be happy because I normally do not ask for anything, and that I normally get  practical clothing (shirt, pants) as my gift and I am really happy with that.  So this is a bonus, right?  Ack.  Feels too frugal to me to parse it out over several events...

.... I think I would have preferred a straight-out "no" to this trickle-out plan.   Maybe I should rescind it, but then I may stir up an argument between my parents... ah.   First world problems.

Could it be that they have to 'match' the amount with your siblings, and want to be fair?

[kelvin]

When I was making min wage and taking handouts from my parents, I decided to be transparent with them about my expenses. So I was explaining to Dad about my bills.

Dad: Why are you so worried about an extra $100 here and there? You only need $3000/month to survive.
Me: Dad, I make min wage.
Dad: So?
Me: That's $1350/month.

His jaw hit the floor. The idiot honestly thought min wage was $3000/month.

My mother likes to make really emotional decisions - go back to school for a Masters in Arts, buy clothes and housewares on sale that she doesn't need, live paycheck to paycheck even though she's in her late 50s. Her favourite saying? "Money isn't everything".

True, money isn't everything, but if you found other ways to feel good that didn't cost so damn much you'd be in a much better place financially.

She's started using the phrase to guilt me for my choices. Things like moving across the province, having my own career, working two jobs to pay off student debt. According to her, I should work less, spend more, visit more often, and send her more gifts.

[wenchsenior]

Painted brick makes no sense to me either. and so many people have done it in our neighborhood. Nothing like ruining a low maintenance exterior.

My sister had a new subdivision built next to them.  The houses all have painted brick. A few of the houses were built with one section of red brick, another section of tan, etc. and then just painted.  So if (when) styles change and the new owners remove the paint, Surprise!

Do you mean that these are brand new homes with painted brick?  That makes no sense.  Brick costs more, so why would you install it just to paint over it?

Yes...new houses...new brick...painted!   I do not see the logic either.

Does brick cost a lot? Almost every house built 1950s and later in our city is made of brick.  Housing is super cheap here in general, certainly including all the brick houses.  And by now, a good third of them have been painted.  A lot of the brick is really ugly, IMO, though I like the multicolored brick of our house (and we haven't painted it).

[merula]

Does brick cost a lot? Almost every house built 1950s and later in our city is made of brick.  Housing is super cheap here in general, certainly including all the brick houses.  And by now, a good third of them have been painted.  A lot of the brick is really ugly, IMO, though I like the multicolored brick of our house (and we haven't painted it).

Brick is much more expensive now relative to other exterior options. Back in the first half of the twentieth century, brick was between cheap to middle-of-the-road; stone was the more expensive option and wood or stucco was cheaper. With the advent of aluminum and vinyl siding, average prices fell dramatically, partly because aluminum and vinyl are cheap and partly because they're lighter and so don't require as much support from the foundation and exterior walls.

If you wanted to build new, you'd be looking at around $5 per exterior sq ft for aluminum siding (installed), and about $15 per sq ft for brick veneer. If you wanted to do a full, real brick exterior, you'd be looking at more like $30 per sq ft, plus any additional structural costs, mostly because it takes about 100 hours of master bricklayer labor to do a 1,000 sq ft house.

Fun fact: in some states, your insurance can be required to repair or replace damage to your home with the same kinds of materials. My state, for example, is a "matching state"; the replacement material must be like kind and quality of the prior, AND must match any undamaged part. My house exterior is asbestos tiles, which they don't really make anymore. If I had, say, wind damage to the side of my house, my insurance would either need to find an exact match to what I have or replace all of the exterior to match what was damaged and replaced. (Luckily, asbestos tiles and brick are much less susceptible to many kinds of damage than aluminum and vinyl.)

[Sugaree]

Fun fact: in some states, your insurance can be required to repair or replace damage to your home with the same kinds of materials. My state, for example, is a "matching state"; the replacement material must be like kind and quality of the prior, AND must match any undamaged part. My house exterior is asbestos tiles, which they don't really make anymore. If I had, say, wind damage to the side of my house, my insurance would either need to find an exact match to what I have or replace all of the exterior to match what was damaged and replaced. (Luckily, asbestos tiles and brick are much less susceptible to many kinds of damage than aluminum and vinyl.)

I live in one of those states.  The insurance company was able to match my brick, but at my neighbor's house they had to remove and replace the entire exterior.  I was kind of surprised that it only took about a week and a half, maybe.

[accountingteacher]

When I was making min wage and taking handouts from my parents, I decided to be transparent with them about my expenses. So I was explaining to Dad about my bills.

Dad: Why are you so worried about an extra $100 here and there? You only need $3000/month to survive.
Me: Dad, I make min wage.
Dad: So?
Me: That's $1350/month.

His jaw hit the floor. The idiot honestly thought min wage was $3000/month.

My mother likes to make really emotional decisions - go back to school for a Masters in Arts, buy clothes and housewares on sale that she doesn't need, live paycheck to paycheck even though she's in her late 50s. Her favourite saying? "Money isn't everything".

True, money isn't everything, but if you found other ways to feel good that didn't cost so damn much you'd be in a much better place financially.

She's started using the phrase to guilt me for my choices. Things like moving across the province, having my own career, working two jobs to pay off student debt. According to her, I should work less, spend more, visit more often, and send her more gifts.

I have frequently found that people who say "Money isn't everything" use it as a defense mechanism to project their shame about being irresponsible with money onto those who are responsible with money.  It's almost a type of gaslighting. 

[Sugaree]

When I was making min wage and taking handouts from my parents, I decided to be transparent with them about my expenses. So I was explaining to Dad about my bills.

Dad: Why are you so worried about an extra $100 here and there? You only need $3000/month to survive.
Me: Dad, I make min wage.
Dad: So?
Me: That's $1350/month.

His jaw hit the floor. The idiot honestly thought min wage was $3000/month.

My mother likes to make really emotional decisions - go back to school for a Masters in Arts, buy clothes and housewares on sale that she doesn't need, live paycheck to paycheck even though she's in her late 50s. Her favourite saying? "Money isn't everything".

True, money isn't everything, but if you found other ways to feel good that didn't cost so damn much you'd be in a much better place financially.

She's started using the phrase to guilt me for my choices. Things like moving across the province, having my own career, working two jobs to pay off student debt. According to her, I should work less, spend more, visit more often, and send her more gifts.

I have frequently found that people who say "Money isn't everything" use it as a defense mechanism to project their shame about being irresponsible with money onto those who are responsible with money.  It's almost a type of gaslighting.

I say it quite frequently when asked why I don't apply for a certain job here.  The job would be about an 11% raise, but involves doing stuff that I'd rather gouge my own eyeballs out with a rusty spoon than do.

[aceyou]

I have frequently found that people who say "Money isn't everything" use it as a defense mechanism to project their shame about being irresponsible with money onto those who are responsible with money.  It's almost a type of gaslighting.

Yes.

And my response to that is usually along the lines of...

"Correct.  Money isn't everything.  For me, doing meaningful things with people I care about is what life is about.  The harder I save, the more time and money I have to do that." 

[accountingteacher]

When I was making min wage and taking handouts from my parents, I decided to be transparent with them about my expenses. So I was explaining to Dad about my bills.

Dad: Why are you so worried about an extra $100 here and there? You only need $3000/month to survive.
Me: Dad, I make min wage.
Dad: So?
Me: That's $1350/month.

His jaw hit the floor. The idiot honestly thought min wage was $3000/month.

My mother likes to make really emotional decisions - go back to school for a Masters in Arts, buy clothes and housewares on sale that she doesn't need, live paycheck to paycheck even though she's in her late 50s. Her favourite saying? "Money isn't everything".

True, money isn't everything, but if you found other ways to feel good that didn't cost so damn much you'd be in a much better place financially.

She's started using the phrase to guilt me for my choices. Things like moving across the province, having my own career, working two jobs to pay off student debt. According to her, I should work less, spend more, visit more often, and send her more gifts.

I have frequently found that people who say "Money isn't everything" use it as a defense mechanism to project their shame about being irresponsible with money onto those who are responsible with money.  It's almost a type of gaslighting.

I say it quite frequently when asked why I don't apply for a certain job here.  The job would be about an 11% raise, but involves doing stuff that I'd rather gouge my own eyeballs out with a rusty spoon than do.

Good point.  I don't think you're using the expression the same way Kelvin's mom is in the example above though!  Saying "Money isn't everything and therefore I won't do what you want in exchange for your money" has a lot more integrity than "Money isn't everything and therefore you should give me your money!"

[nnls]

When I was making min wage and taking handouts from my parents, I decided to be transparent with them about my expenses. So I was explaining to Dad about my bills.

Dad: Why are you so worried about an extra $100 here and there? You only need $3000/month to survive.
Me: Dad, I make min wage.
Dad: So?
Me: That's $1350/month.

His jaw hit the floor. The idiot honestly thought min wage was $3000/month.

My mother likes to make really emotional decisions - go back to school for a Masters in Arts, buy clothes and housewares on sale that she doesn't need, live paycheck to paycheck even though she's in her late 50s. Her favourite saying? "Money isn't everything".

True, money isn't everything, but if you found other ways to feel good that didn't cost so damn much you'd be in a much better place financially.

She's started using the phrase to guilt me for my choices. Things like moving across the province, having my own career, working two jobs to pay off student debt. According to her, I should work less, spend more, visit more often, and send her more gifts.

I have frequently found that people who say "Money isn't everything" use it as a defense mechanism to project their shame about being irresponsible with money onto those who are responsible with money.  It's almost a type of gaslighting.

my mum prefers "you cant take it with you" to try and get me to spend my money

[Dicey]

I have frequently found that people who say "Money isn't everything" use it as a defense mechanism to project their shame about being irresponsible with money onto those who are responsible with money.  It's almost a type of gaslighting.

Yes.

And my response to that is usually along the lines of...

"Correct.  Money isn't everything.  For me, doing meaningful things with people I care about is what life is about.  The harder I save, the more time and money I have to do that."

Great answer, @aceyou!

[TheGrimSqueaker]

When I was making min wage and taking handouts from my parents, I decided to be transparent with them about my expenses. So I was explaining to Dad about my bills.

Dad: Why are you so worried about an extra $100 here and there? You only need $3000/month to survive.
Me: Dad, I make min wage.
Dad: So?
Me: That's $1350/month.

His jaw hit the floor. The idiot honestly thought min wage was $3000/month.

My mother likes to make really emotional decisions - go back to school for a Masters in Arts, buy clothes and housewares on sale that she doesn't need, live paycheck to paycheck even though she's in her late 50s. Her favourite saying? "Money isn't everything".

True, money isn't everything, but if you found other ways to feel good that didn't cost so damn much you'd be in a much better place financially.

She's started using the phrase to guilt me for my choices. Things like moving across the province, having my own career, working two jobs to pay off student debt. According to her, I should work less, spend more, visit more often, and send her more gifts.

I have frequently found that people who say "Money isn't everything" use it as a defense mechanism to project their shame about being irresponsible with money onto those who are responsible with money.  It's almost a type of gaslighting.

I say it quite frequently when asked why I don't apply for a certain job here.  The job would be about an 11% raise, but involves doing stuff that I'd rather gouge my own eyeballs out with a rusty spoon than do.

Good point.  I don't think you're using the expression the same way Kelvin's mom is in the example above though!  Saying "Money isn't everything and therefore I won't do what you want in exchange for your money" has a lot more integrity than "Money isn't everything and therefore you should give me your money!"

Context is important. I do find that the majority of people who use the phrase are implying "... therefore you should give me your money and/or spend it on things that benefit me, particularly while I do nothing whatsoever in exchange to benefit you."

[zolotiyeruki]

Context is important. I do find that the majority of people who use the phrase are implying "... therefore you should give me your money and/or spend it on things that benefit me, particularly while I do nothing whatsoever in exchange to benefit you."

To which you could reply, "It seems money matters more to me than it does to you, so why don't you just give me some of yours?"

[TheGrimSqueaker]

Context is important. I do find that the majority of people who use the phrase are implying "... therefore you should give me your money and/or spend it on things that benefit me, particularly while I do nothing whatsoever in exchange to benefit you."

To which you could reply, "It seems money matters more to me than it does to you, so why don't you just give me some of yours?"

They never have any.

[accountingteacher]

Context is important. I do find that the majority of people who use the phrase are implying "... therefore you should give me your money and/or spend it on things that benefit me, particularly while I do nothing whatsoever in exchange to benefit you."

To which you could reply, "It seems money matters more to me than it does to you, so why don't you just give me some of yours?"

They never have any.

... and yet they never see that irony.  Years ago my SIL suggested to Mr.  AccountingTeacher that we jointly buy FIL's house to rescue him from a lifetime of financial foolishness.  I refused because I didn't want to effectively be in a joint venture with people who I knew could barely afford their own house, much less a second one, and I knew we would be left holding the proverbial bag. That's when I was first accused of only caring about money. 

[LWYRUP]

I actually like the look of brick houses that are painted and then the paint begins to slowly fade away in some places and so the house is partly the painted color and partly brick.  It works particularly well whitewashed, like this:



Or this



There's no maintenance as far as I'm aware.  You just let the house slowly fade from white to brick color over time. 

[Linea_Norway]

Context is important. I do find that the majority of people who use the phrase are implying "... therefore you should give me your money and/or spend it on things that benefit me, particularly while I do nothing whatsoever in exchange to benefit you."

To which you could reply, "It seems money matters more to me than it does to you, so why don't you just give me some of yours?"

They never have any.

... and yet they never see that irony.  Years ago my SIL suggested to Mr.  AccountingTeacher that we jointly buy FIL's house to rescue him from a lifetime of financial foolishness.  I refused because I didn't want to effectively be in a joint venture with people who I knew could barely afford their own house, much less a second one, and I knew we would be left holding the proverbial bag. That's when I was first accused of only caring about money.

You are right not to do that. Just read this thread to see why you shouldn't financially join family members who are bad with money:
https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/journals/playing-with-fire-is-getting-burned/

[shelivesthedream]

@kelvin Are you serious about your dad thinking minimum wage was $3000 a month?! Please tell me more about your conversation after he found out it wasn't.

[kelvin]

@shelivesthedream He was serious. I've rarely seen him struck dumb like that before.

He had a noticeable improvement in his attitude after that. He was more willing to help me with bits and bobs of money here and there, as he could afford, and stopped saying things like "well if you just budgeted properly...". He also stopped pestering me about buying a house, since he understands now that won't be happening for a bit.

He's still incredibly foolish with his own money, but he never tries to guilt me for my choices anymore.

Context is important. I do find that the majority of people who use the phrase are implying "... therefore you should give me your money and/or spend it on things that benefit me, particularly while I do nothing whatsoever in exchange to benefit you."

To which you could reply, "It seems money matters more to me than it does to you, so why don't you just give me some of yours?"

They never have any.

... and yet they never see that irony.  Years ago my SIL suggested to Mr.  AccountingTeacher that we jointly buy FIL's house to rescue him from a lifetime of financial foolishness.  I refused because I didn't want to effectively be in a joint venture with people who I knew could barely afford their own house, much less a second one, and I knew we would be left holding the proverbial bag. That's when I was first accused of only caring about money.

Mom thrives on constant guilt trips. Her entire family seems to think this normal, acceptable behaviour. I haven't figured out how to shut down this particular line of thought, but you're right, this is absolutely about power, control, being "the good child" etc. Nevermind that I'm in my 30s and moved out ages ago.

I'm currently working (getting paid overtime! To sit in my pjs infront of my work laptop!) and my SO's mother was horrified when she found out I'm working three weekends this month. I had shared the news as a good thing, because it is. Clearly I need to change my approach here. Anyone have any tips on how to politely talk around OT with suburban middle class folks? SO's family invite us out for things fairly frequently, so the fact that I'm working and can't go is going to be a recurring theme.

[Imma]

@shelivesthedream He was serious. I've rarely seen him struck dumb like that before.

He had a noticeable improvement in his attitude after that. He was more willing to help me with bits and bobs of money here and there, as he could afford, and stopped saying things like "well if you just budgeted properly...". He also stopped pestering me about buying a house, since he understands now that won't be happening for a bit.

He's still incredibly foolish with his own money, but he never tries to guilt me for my choices anymore.

Context is important. I do find that the majority of people who use the phrase are implying "... therefore you should give me your money and/or spend it on things that benefit me, particularly while I do nothing whatsoever in exchange to benefit you."

To which you could reply, "It seems money matters more to me than it does to you, so why don't you just give me some of yours?"

They never have any.

... and yet they never see that irony.  Years ago my SIL suggested to Mr.  AccountingTeacher that we jointly buy FIL's house to rescue him from a lifetime of financial foolishness.  I refused because I didn't want to effectively be in a joint venture with people who I knew could barely afford their own house, much less a second one, and I knew we would be left holding the proverbial bag. That's when I was first accused of only caring about money.

Mom thrives on constant guilt trips. Her entire family seems to think this normal, acceptable behaviour. I haven't figured out how to shut down this particular line of thought, but you're right, this is absolutely about power, control, being "the good child" etc. Nevermind that I'm in my 30s and moved out ages ago.

I'm currently working (getting paid overtime! To sit in my pjs infront of my work laptop!) and my SO's mother was horrified when she found out I'm working three weekends this month. I had shared the news as a good thing, because it is. Clearly I need to change my approach here. Anyone have any tips on how to politely talk around OT with suburban middle class folks? SO's family invite us out for things fairly frequently, so the fact that I'm working and can't go is going to be a recurring theme.

My other half works shifts and has a side hustle during weekends/holidays so he's often not there at family gatherings. My family have accepted this by now, but they still pester him every now and then about when he's going to get a "grown up job". He's in his 30s and happy in his current job and I can't imagine him working a 9-5 office job ever. He's just not the type. The downside is that often they don't even invite him anymore because "he's not going to go anyway". They seem to forget it's not by choice.

[faithless]

I'm currently working (getting paid overtime! To sit in my pjs infront of my work laptop!) and my SO's mother was horrified when she found out I'm working three weekends this month. I had shared the news as a good thing, because it is. Clearly I need to change my approach here. Anyone have any tips on how to politely talk around OT with suburban middle class folks? SO's family invite us out for things fairly frequently, so the fact that I'm working and can't go is going to be a recurring theme.

They'll get over it! If you're uncomfortable discussing it with them, just say if it comes up:
"I'm afraid I can't make that event, I'm working." Don't get drawn into it, it's none of their business how/why. You can add "I'm happy with the arrangement" if they start sympathising or asking questions.

Lots of middle class people wind up working weekends sometimes.
My husband is one of three brothers, and all three of the WAGS work some weekends, so all of my (solidly middle class) parents-in-law's daughter in/out laws do!

My SIL is upper middle class, and works weekends occasionally lecturing/writing exams/marking papers for a university (in addition to to her main career, on the same topic).

I'm working in a lower middle class career, occasionally there is overtime, and now I'm studying for a professional qualification at work as part of a promotion program, which means I'm often busy working/studying on weekends.

The youngest brother's girlfriend is in a creative (design) career and is sometimes out of the country for a week or so with work. She also has a creative side gig at conventions, craft fairs etc on busy weekends.

[Yanisimo]

This is about my friend. She and her husband are in a lot of debt. They have credit card debt, car loan debt, thousands in lawyer fees still unpaid...etc. They cannot afford the mortgage, and so the husband's family has been paying for their mortgage and monthly child support since the summer of 2018. They are apparently going to file the documents necessary to claim bankruptcy as soon as they can afford the trustee's $1,000 filing fee.

Despite their financial woes, they go out to eat (in nice, sit-in restaurants) every week. They went to Universal Orlando in December with their 3 kids, hired a professional photographer to take family Christmas photos, spent New Year's Eve in a fancy restaurant/bar located downtown in a high rise building overlooking the city fireworks show, and spent their 2 year anniversary in an even fancier restaurant. It seems their spending habits have not changed despite their high debt.

[Hula Hoop]

Yanisimo - I guess that's how they got into that pickle in the first place.  Some people never change.

[AnnaGrowsAMustache]

This is about my friend. She and her husband are in a lot of debt. They have credit card debt, car loan debt, thousands in lawyer fees still unpaid...etc. They cannot afford the mortgage, and so the husband's family has been paying for their mortgage and monthly child support since the summer of 2018. They are apparently going to file the documents necessary to claim bankruptcy as soon as they can afford the trustee's $1,000 filing fee.

Despite their financial woes, they go out to eat (in nice, sit-in restaurants) every week. They went to Universal Orlando in December with their 3 kids, hired a professional photographer to take family Christmas photos, spent New Year's Eve in a fancy restaurant/bar located downtown in a high rise building overlooking the city fireworks show, and spent their 2 year anniversary in an even fancier restaurant. It seems their spending habits have not changed despite their high debt.

Classic example of how money does not solve money problems.

[Cassie]

When the family members that are paying their bills find out they are spending like this it may very well ruin their relationships.

[AMandM]

I'm currently working (getting paid overtime! To sit in my pjs infront of my work laptop!) and my SO's mother was horrified when she found out I'm working three weekends this month. I had shared the news as a good thing, because it is. Clearly I need to change my approach here. Anyone have any tips on how to politely talk around OT with suburban middle class folks? SO's family invite us out for things fairly frequently, so the fact that I'm working and can't go is going to be a recurring theme.

Lots of middle-class jobs involved working on weekends, or working irregular hours, or working extra when there's a crunch. I would think you could simply say, "Sorry, I have work I have to do." When you don't have work, come to events and enjoy them so it's clear that your absences aren't due to avoiding the family.