What should I do?

@susieq223 (3742)
United States
March 7, 2007 10:29pm CST
I am so worried. My daughter and her husband are up to their ears in debt. Things are so bad they have considered filing bankruptcy. I don't have much money except for a little bit in my retirement account. Should I try to help them? I don't know what to do.
3 people like this
7 responses
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
8 Mar 07
To begin with your daughter and her husband got them selves in this situation all by them selves. Now they will have to grow up. but they can't if you take your retirement and help them out. There are all kinds of finanical counclers out there to help them. It's hard to watch your children struggle. Struggling make one a better person. You should never lend your children money nor should you cosighn for them. I have been there and done that. We all trust our kids , but sometimes that trust back fires. Believe me I know.
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
9 Mar 07
I think you are right. Thanks for your input.
• United States
8 Mar 07
No. And quit worrying about it, you'll make yourself sick. If you bail them out, they learn nothing. You have apparently worked all your life, enjoy what you have, you have earned it.The only way you learn is to hit rock bottom. Sometimes the best leasons in life are painful.
2 people like this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
9 Mar 07
Thank you for your response. Sure something to consider!
• United States
8 Mar 07
If you can why don't you cosign a loan for them and help them find a payment option they can afford
2 people like this
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
8 Mar 07
This is a bad thing to do because if they can't make the payments you have to. Loans are what got them in this situation in the first place.
1 person likes this
• United States
8 Mar 07
Being worried is not to good for your health.Do like my parents did, No money, make it on your own. You probably need your money to survive, who will give you money when you have none. Hunh! Is that a good answer./:
1 person likes this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
9 Mar 07
It is a good answer. Thanks.
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
13 Mar 07
I don't want to sound hard but I don't think you should. If God forbid there was an accident or emergency in the family I can see you going into your retirment money to help. Not for a debt that they owe. If you use that money there is a good chance they will be in debt again and you might never get that money replaced. Let them file, it will erase all their debts and they get a chance to start fresh and you get to leave your retirement money alone.
1 person likes this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
13 Mar 07
I feel a little guilty at not helping, but I think you are right. I did work for that retirement money and managed to save it. They need to learn that, too.
@pravda1 (288)
• United States
21 Mar 07
My family has help me out of debt problems so if you can then do so. You need to address the root of the debt problem...It sounds like they need to learn how to repair and stay out of debt. Visit my profile page and there you'll find a link to my Credit Repair business. Do them a favor and purchase it for them so they can learn everything they need to repair their credit!
1 person likes this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
22 Mar 07
Thanks for your response. I appreciate it!
@kyle930 (763)
• United States
8 Mar 07
Dont give them any money you cant do without. And even if you dont really need the money only give it to them if you trust they will eventually pay you back. They need to work it out for themselves or they will have bad money management skills forever. You should help them by sharing information instead of money. Tell them how important it is to pay off credit card bills each month to avoid the huge intrest rates. Also you should encourage them to make a budget and follow the budget. There is more information about making and saving money on my blog http://ifihadamilliondollarsidberich.blogspot.com/ I update it regularly so check back often for new stuff.
1 person likes this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
9 Mar 07
Thanks for your input.