My dad (who is in his 60,s) will not spend any money what so ever, He has a fair bit of money in the bank (tens of thousands) I went to visit him the other day and his house was like sitting inside of a fridge because he is so mean he would not put the heating on etc etc. He eats 9p tins of beans from netto stuff like that. Why is he like that, it gets on my nerves. I like most people live for the day and have credit cards and bills.
2007-02-21 23:41:47 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
His house is totally paid for outright as well.
2007-02-21 23:48:34 · update #1
Yeah - my parents are similar. It used to get on my nerves too - I mean my mum has a washing machine that has been broken for the past 10 years but rather than get a new one she manually drains the water out with a hose!!!! I think its because the time they lived in during the war they didn't have anything and they HAD to scrimp and scrape and make do, they didn't have anything new and they just had to get on with it. I think people of their generation got so used to doing this it has been in-grained in them and they can't bear to 'waste' money as they see it. Our generation is a 'throw-away' generation its easy come easy go to us and I guess that can be as equally annoying to our parents and grand-parents who see it as just pure wastefullness.
2007-02-21 23:50:27 · answer #1 · answered by Sunshine Smile 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He grew up in a different age when there were no credit cards, rent to own, and you couldn't file bankruptcy. If you didn't have money and something bit you in the @ss you were SOL unless you had a relative to turn to for help. I'm probably your dads age and that was the way I grew up. I don't buy anything on credit unless it is 0% on the purchase for 12 months and I pay it off by that time. I figure I can draw interest on the money I could have used out of a savings account. No way am I going to pay 18+% for a credit card. By being frugal my wife and I were able to retire a lot earlier than we could have otherwise and enjoying every minute of it and we haven't had to sacrifice anything important to do it.
Leave the old man alone and accept the way he has chosen to live his life. You can't change it anyway.
2007-02-22 08:53:56 · answer #2 · answered by Ret68 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's his money, if he wants to save it, its up to him. As long as he is not putting himself in any danger (by having a cold house, no eating properly etc) I don't see that there is anything you can do. He is obviously of the generation that looked after their money once they got it, because they were used to being poor. I think he should be applauded for not "living for the day and having credit cards and bills" Perhaps if this generation learned a bit more from your Dad's generation, there would be fewer young people in debt and going bankrupt.
2007-02-22 07:58:28 · answer #3 · answered by lululaluau 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing you can do about it - it's his choice, his life. Just make sure his will is good...
Seriously though, it's not uncommon in his generation, although that's a bit of a bad case. Is his mortgage paid, his bills covered, and will he have any further income other than a state pension? If so, try and show him what he's mssing out on - appeal to his likes. If not, he may have a better idea about how long his money will last than you think...
2007-02-22 07:46:20 · answer #4 · answered by cuddles_gb 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont get it either, my nan is like that, she thinks she's skint if her bank balance falls below £20k, my grandad owns a company that makes a mint, and every christmas they say they have no money for pressies so they are not bothering.
i'm hoping they are saving it all to share with all the family when they eventually pass away, but i think they should spend some of it enjoying themselves before that happens.
2007-02-22 07:46:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Nan is similar. She scrimps and saves, and complains about how she cannot afford anything. Then she gives thousands of pounds away to relatives. We've just realised that she ENJOYS doing this, so we leave her to it. Maybe your Dad is similar - maybe he enjoys having the money in the bank more than he enjoys Heinz beans.
2007-02-22 07:45:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is probably worried that his money will last until the end of his life.
You don't mention how much income he has, does he own his house and is he responsible for repairs? Is he generous in other ways? Perhaps he wants to help you and your children in the future.
2007-02-22 07:47:33 · answer #7 · answered by Mark J 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask him what his childhood was like??? A lot of times, the things you do stem from certain things that happened in your childhood. Good Luck.
2007-02-22 08:06:26 · answer #8 · answered by winona e 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes he does sound like you have described him but you have to remember Brian times have changed since when he was your age and money wasn't so plentiful as to-day and he had to watch the pennies and as lots of people his age and older find it hard to change their ways
2007-02-22 07:49:13 · answer #9 · answered by srracvuee 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go easy on the old man! You might one day inherit the earth. That's assuming he doesn't leave it all to charity!!!
2007-02-22 07:46:51 · answer #10 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋