Dear Queenie,
My parents have always been careful about money, but now that my Dad has retired he has gotten downright stingy. He complains all the time about the cost of everything, even in public places. It’s embarrassing.
Queenie, how can I get him to lighten up?—Scrooge’s son
Dear Son,
Is it possible that your parents, now that Dad has retired, have less money to live on than they did before and, what with inflation, than they had expected to have in retirement?
If you can afford it, perhaps you could offer to help out, or even take over some of their expenses like utility bills. And if you cannot afford to do so, at least make certain that you do not cost them money they cannot afford; for example like taking them shopping in expensive stores or out to dinner at expensive restaurants and expecting them to pay their own way.
And learn from their example – start saving now for your own retirement.
