Simply..enough money?

27/11/2017

I've been re-reading my own posts about money (see sidebar). There aren't very many posts and they are full of photos of flowers and things - both of these facts probably tell you something about my attitude to the subject!

In my first post on the subject I said I had enough - and that still stands really. I have beautiful food and plenty of it, a safe home, warm clothing, and some to spare.

Changed circumstances bring new issues around the subject.

You have written a will haven't you?

21 Comments

Linda

28/11/2017 01:11:47 am

Errrr......no. We are legally married, and I know I am on his pension info. Property is in joint names. A few years ago we did probate/executor duties when my father-in-law died, so I would know what to expect. There's enough to see me through the sorting out period!
It would be more complicated if we both died together, say in an accident, but I have a very competent, very fair, older brother. I would trust him to sort it out, will or no will.
To be honest, I'm more anxious about enjoying our money while we can - the thought of it going on care homes makes me feel ill!

Freda

28/11/2017 02:12:20 pm

I think I read that only 3 or 4% of people end up in care homes in uk so the odds are quite good.....

Madeleine

30/11/2017 05:51:56 pm

What an encouraging figure! Like many I hope to die in my own lovely home.

Madeleine

Swissrose link

30/11/2017 11:04:28 pm

That figure sounds very low and surprises me, Freda. But perhaps it's just because I have been around a lot of older folk in the last few years that it seems many more do seem to end up in homes. Not something I have found very inspiring.
On the other hand, they said the other day that this year has been the first one where the numbers of people in care homes in Switzerland has gone down - they are doing a lot to help people stay in their own homes as far as possible (certainly a lot more and more efficient care possibilities than in England, as we sadly found with my granny and my friends with their mums).
You are all quite right, we should get on and deal with our wills and medical directives!

Swissrose link

28/11/2017 01:13:46 am

Another very interesting (and important) topic.
Do you know Cait Flanders' blog?

Freda

28/11/2017 02:13:01 pm

Thanks for the link - I enjoyed a browse there!

Mary

28/11/2017 02:04:00 am

I have a will, but it is very old and needs updating. Been on my to-do list for a bit.

As to your link post and having enough money to give to charities--it is interesting to note that (in the US) the poor and middle class generally give to charities at a far higher percentage of their income than the richest. Think it says something about values, eh?

Freda

28/11/2017 02:14:57 pm

i've heard the same said of uk - I wonder if it's partly because they know what it's like?

Julia

28/11/2017 09:48:58 am

Well, it’s possible that my husband and i are just older than your other readers, freda..:-) yes, we have updated our wills. And also medical directives. (To me, that is even more important.) amongst my friends, wills, legacies, and intracies of said, are current topics of interest for sure. I must have been out of town, for that spate of money posts in 2014..i missed them..but today, i sure did enjoy the ramble through your garden, the sweet peas...and what a pleasure to see all your vases and pitchers in one spot...i’ve suspected that you did have quite a number!

Freda

28/11/2017 02:16:25 pm

I had not thought about medical directives....(I love my vase cupboard).

Cristiana link

28/11/2017 09:59:44 am

No...I don´t think I need one, but I haven´t properly thought about that.
I know I will never be rich and my approach to money has always been to have enough so I don´t need to think about it, and I've been blessed with just that.
I also think there's no point in having money if you don't do any Good with it. On the subject of giving, here's an interesting approach to it : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/22/extreme-altruism-should-you-care-for-strangers-as-much-as-family

Freda

28/11/2017 02:19:44 pm

'Enough' is a wonderful word, but I'm not so sure about 'extreme'. Thank you for the link Cristiana. it was interesting. I think I am probably a 'moderation in all things' kind of person!

Cristiana

29/11/2017 06:07:05 am

So that's two of us. I found the article very provocative precisely because it's approach is opposite to how I intuitive give, which is more in helping as I can as the opportunity presents itself in my daily life. I find if you're open to it, lots of opportunities appear, but that article did make me think about the reasons behind my givings (I actually wrote a post about it but never published it because I was afraid of being misunderstood...)

To Cristiana from Freda

29/11/2017 07:09:20 am

The format doesn't allow me to place this comment below yours Cristiana so I hope you see i.! I thought the kind of thinking of the character in the article was very worrying and bordering on obsessive. I incline much more to your approach, and would be interested in reading your article if you ever decide to post it :-)

Lucille link

28/11/2017 12:21:51 pm

Well yes, but only just got that one sorted in the last six months. Very remiss. It was a lot more complicated than we expected. Powers of attorney especially. We had to think about things we didn't want to think about.

Freda

28/11/2017 02:21:12 pm

It's not easy to think about and talk about (but i am so glad we did).

Madeleine

30/11/2017 05:57:17 pm

"we had to think about things we didn't want to think about" - exactly, Lucille, that is why I put off doing my will for so long!

I finally did it earlier this year as my partner was moving in and I have kids - so important to have things organised if there are children involved. I have to say although it was hard to discuss some of the issues like medical directives, I am so glad I did it.

I feel quite 'grown up' now!!

Madeleine.x

Freda

2/12/2017 01:45:36 pm

Sometimes it is good to feel 'grown up' !

Viv link

29/11/2017 12:11:37 pm

Hi Freda - working in a Solicitors I think we have all made a will as we see the difficulties not having one causes - we have to sort out the complications arising when someone dies especially when often through doing it themselves they are sometimes not even valid. We also have to deal with the growing numbers of contested wills.

We always thought my dad had made a will - when he died we found he hadn't - you would think all his money would have automatically passed to my mum who survived him - under English law it doesn't so any one reading this beware.

Freda

29/11/2017 02:26:06 pm

Beware indeed! So stressful at a difficult time. Thanks for sharing these warnings Viv.

Simply..enough money?

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