As a widow, the choice is mine on whether I spend my resources on taking my grandchildren on culturally enriching trips or being more conservative now and leaving more financial security for future college or business opportunities.
2007-05-24 19:09:04 · 11 answers · asked by One Wing Eagle Woman 6 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
I am spending quality time with my grandchildren now. The oldest is off to college on a full scholarship, and my granddaughter lives with me. I bought both of us horses last year, and at 8 she is showing great promise as a competition rider. We are actually breaking one of the horses together. Two other grandchildren are in more financially stable homes. If my girl pulls off the grades that my grandson did, no problem, but at 8, if she needs help, I am afraid to guess what tuition will be in 10 years, or if I will be around. My son is 100% disabled, and though he is a good father, he is unable to care for her needs full-time.Her mother is a drunk who seems unwilling to get help but would love to use her daughter for a meal ticket. That is what she did for a living until I went to court. Hope this explains my fear of making a wrong decision. My girl will remember a grandmother crazy enough to mount an unbroke horse, and the spunky gal climbed on after be and handled herself like a star.
2007-05-30 13:07:52 · update #1
Do a little of both without hurting your chance for a good quality of life during your retirement. Sounds like you have a heart of gold and you will be remembered.
You don't need to spend much for children to think fondly of you. I remember my grandmother because she always served me a cold glass of milk with a decadent slice of homemade chocolate cake. She lived rather modestly. Many of her things were old but in pristine condition like her antique lounger in the sitting area. Her floors were almost always spotless. I would discover a handful of peppermints in my jacket pocket when it was time to go and I knew she put them there. She never gave any of us large quantities of money but I will remember her as the most quaint individual I have ever met.
2007-05-31 03:29:27 · answer #1 · answered by reeksofhoney 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow, what a wonderful grandparent you are. I say go on the 20%, 30%, 50% plan. Take 20% and put it into a trust for each grandchild to take out for college or business. Take 30% of the total to go on wonderful, enriching trips with just you and the kids (how fun!). And take 50% to help yourself pay for expenses that you will need to have a long life. You sound like a spunky and healthy grandparent who is going to live many years. You will need to allow yourself some extra money, just to pay bills. If you have extra left over, you can always leave it to your children. Have fun!
2007-05-25 01:39:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why not do both? Spending time with your grandchildren does not mean having to break the bank. There are things that can be culturally enriching, yet not so expensive as to cut too deeply into the funds that you would like to leave them. The most important thing is to enrich them with knowledge, and let them know how much you love them. In my community there are ballets, concerts, museums, theaters, etc... One important trip, such as a trip to the country of their heritage, would enlighten them as to the importance of knowing about the culture of other countries. They will carry that memory, and will create their own curiosity, during and beyond their college years.
It is so encouraging to know that there are still grandparents that realize how important it is that they are involved in their grandchildren's lives. You have so much to offer.
2007-05-24 19:38:03 · answer #3 · answered by PEGGY S 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Spend time with them now. You can't replace your hugs and kisses with money when your gone. I know from experience. Yes they will want to spend time with you but it doesn't have to be expensive. Make it memorable. That is better than anything a big expensive trip could ever do. Being conservative doesn't mean you cant enrich their lives... what about all the childhood memories you have? Not when they were kids... when you were a child! THAT is priceless!!
2007-05-24 19:24:35 · answer #4 · answered by angiee631 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can still take your grandchildren on trips and make memories and leave money for them. The trips dont have to be extravagant. Its more important to just be with them rather than taking them to some exotic location. It would be nice for them but it would sure be nice to have money for college later on also. If I had a choice, I would rather have a grandmother or grandfather that spent tons of time with me and left me money for college rather than taking me to places that were enriching when I was a kid. The more time you spend with them, the more fond memories they will have of you.
2007-05-24 19:15:20 · answer #5 · answered by Amanda 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make the memories now,the grand kids will love them more then anything else. I can remember things I did with my grandmother's and can still laugh about things. Isn't that more important to them. So go for it take them places or just go out in the back yard and play a game with them. Life is short for everyone.
2007-05-24 19:20:25 · answer #6 · answered by JR2003 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it all depends. How old are your grand kids? If you were my grandma I would much appreciate your thoughtfulness to save for my education, to make my life a bit easier, rather then on a trip to ____, that I don't really remember.
They probaly wouldn't care if you went to china or china town. You spending time with them is all that matters to them, really.
Which will be more helpful and beneficial to your grand babies being that money can be hard to get and school can be so expensive. Being were I'm at, I think I would be even more inspired and touched to do something extraordinary with my life knowing you placed college money there for me.
you would be passing on something much more in my opinion
2007-05-24 19:24:39 · answer #7 · answered by eirama 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you can do both. you don't have to spend oodles of $ to make good memories. go to the zoo, an art museum, pack a picnic lunch and head for the nearest park, rent movies and make popcorn start doing some arts and crafts with them
2007-05-30 11:00:04 · answer #8 · answered by cheri h 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Monetary things aren't going to last forever, memories do. My memories of my grandparents are still near and dear to me.
2007-05-24 19:15:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think for me it is better for you to spend time with them. Teaching them with their culture, share your knowledge and wisdom. Bonding with your grand kids is most important than precious metal or stone.
2007-05-24 19:15:10 · answer #10 · answered by Sun Valley 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋