I'm in a little bit of a pickle with my mom. The thing is, if I don't really care, I could be just fine...and she probably wouldn't be starving either. Story goes...
She's been disabled since 1993, diagnosed with fibromayalgia. She had a $250k settlement in ~1995 with her disability insurance company (since spent), plus monthly payments until she's 65. She's 61 now. She's collecting some form of social security right now (must be SSDI?), plus disability payments.
A few years ago, she must have been up watching infomercials and got into a day-trading thing, learning Forex trading and options...paying for classes to the tune of about ~$40k (which she didn't have) and immediately bought a new computer and triple monitors on credit for, I'm guessing, $3-4k. She's been bankrupt before, and right before this, she was debt free. Her plan was basically to go pedal to the metal to learn this stuff so she can trade at home when she turns 65 and loses her disability.
Currently, I believe she's debt free again...maybe? At least she said she was months away from it. Must have had some leftover from her SSDI or Disability, because she hasn't made a cent in Forex/options...and has no real money ($10k+) to put towards it, really.
The problem is, she's currently living in a carpeted, heated garage (it's a nice one, trust me!)...in her sister's house. My mom lost her house because she couldn't afford the mortgage payments (several mortgages or something I believe? It was once paid off, but was used for another loan. I'm not sure?). At the time, my aunt's garage was the only option. Of course, mom is a bit of a packrat and my aunt isn't...and they clash hard on that. Like mom's stuff took over her garage, attic, basement...and now my aunt is trying to get my cousin in that house, since SHE'S going through a divorce. Long story short, too many people in that house who do not get along.
Since the other half of the duplex I own wasn't leased for a full year, I offered to move her in with me...in the other apartment. Figured I'd help her out, give her her own space and such. Rent is $650. I must charge that to be at "fair market rent" to be considered a rental property for tax purposes. I also must charge that, to, you know, make the profit I was expecting so I can continue along my goals. Most of my money is in that rental property. If she were to pay less than $650 (not to mention 3% annual increase), the property will always be a loser.
I asked her plans were for when she turns 65, and she said "forex, forex, forex." I asked what her plan B was. She said nothing. Coaxed more, she said food stamps and Medicare. She's unwilling to research or do anything else...like proofreading, writing, Etsy and the like that she could do from home...since she wants to focus on Forex.
Am I just going to have to say "sorry I need the full rent no matter what, get along with your sister"? Are there other programs out there that are reliable?
Asking what her budget is would be fine and she'd probably offer it...but critiquing it would unleash the fiery hell of 50000 suns upon me. I can tell you that she likely doesn't spend much anymore. She can't really leave the house and seems to only buy somewhat necessary things (not how it used to be).