This isn’t something I like to think about. I do support my mother somewhat and have for as long as I can remember. To say my mom is bad with money is the understatement of a lifetime. I have paid for various things for her throughout the years. It’s better to pay some of her bills vs. have her inevitably screw up and ask for $.

She’s only in her 60’s but isn’t the picture of health and has zero savings. BUT, my feeling is I will only help her up to a point. I won’t sacrifice the life I’ve built with my husband and children because she has failed to be responsible her entire life. To make matters worse, she takes care of my brother who is handicapped so if anything happens to either one if them it’s a big, big issue.

Basically, my husband and I have run through various scenarios and what we’re willing to give via $ or actual help for each one and for how long. I expect little to no help from my siblings so I’m not counting on them. So we will have to see what the future brings and I plan to stick to the plans we’ve set forth. That may sound cold but when it comes down to it, this is a very emotional issue and I don’t want my emotions to cause me to make an irrational decision that would jeopardize my immediate family. So for example, someone said a nursing home for 18 years at 5K a month? Kudos to you but that ain’t happening with me.