That's Not Yours...So Don't Worry About It...

Okay, so I was watching Dr. Phil today. Yeah, yeah...spare me the rhetoric.

This particular episode was about Inheritance and Pre-Nuptuial Agreements. I don't really care about the pre-nup...it's the inheritance thing. And something the lawyer-woman said. "Intended Inheritance." It means you may or may not get anything. It should really have said: "Ed's money". You know...ED or BOB...yeah, anyway...IT'S NOT YOUR MONEY TO BEGIN WITH!

Seriously...my children know there's no money...and if we get any money...it belongs to US. Mom and Dad. Not them. And we get to spend our money any way we choose. And, in the end...if there's any left, they can split it up any way THEY choose. And, trust me...Chief and I will probably being doing our best to spend whatever money we have on US.

Selfish? Probably. Rude? Not really. I was frustrated with this woman who was really upset with her father because he had invested money in business ventures with her brother, his son, and he lost everything. Including his wife. All told...probably over $1,000,000. Still...it was HIS money. Her name wasn't on any of those President-portrait-ed pieces of green paper. Daddy earned that money all on his own and he did as he wanted with it all. Wise? Ummm...no...BUT...none of her business, really.

I do not want my children to "butt-in" where our money is concerned...and I do not "butt-in" on their choices, either. We all make money mistakes...and we learn from them and grow from them. (Well, hopefully!)

HOWEVER...I do appreciate that my children have been very protective of Mom and Dad concerning some money PROBLEMS during the past couple of years. And supportive. They are the best, and we could never have imagined such encouragement from these fine adults. I do believe we need to look out for one another, offer advice...when it's asked for... and give silent support and encouragement at all times. But, if we make mistakes concerning our money...then we suffer those consequences. If we do something awesome with extra money, and it proves lucrative in the long run...then THEY reap those benefits right along with us...and after, if that be the case.

Worrying about the way my parents are spending "my inheritance" is selfish and disrespectful. I certainly do not want my parents to worry about what money they can leave behind...they should be living out these years to the fullest and having a most beautiful, rewarding life! And if that means spending all the money THEY have EARNED...then so be it.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:25-34

Preach it. Thank you.