I shouldn't be jealous but...

[geojen]

Here's the story: My husband and I are living on a tight, tight budget (I'm a grad student and he is basically supporting the both of us) and we live 10 hours away from our families. We are always responsible for paying to visit them, etc. We don't complain about this to them, it wouldn't do any good. We are also saving to buy our first house, which leads me to my point: My grandparents just gave each of their children (my mom, aunt, and uncle) 10 grand. No reason. Just because. Now, I understand perfectly well that it is their money to what they want with etc. etc., but still...we actually could have used that money for something that matters!! My uncle bought a new camper, my aunt bought new patio furniture and a pool, and my mom is paying my brother to 10 grand to build a stinkin potting shed. Now I love my family, but it is so painful to me that we could have put this money to acutual good use!!!

[tgavin71]

I'd wouldn't be angry about your uncle buying a new camper or stuff that your aunt bought but its a bit rich that your brother gets $10,000 for a potting shed and you get nothing. If my mum was given $10,000 and decided to spend it on us girls I would expect nothing less than an equal share. I think you have every right to complain.

[autoxer]

The likely reason your Grandparents gave away that money was to reduce the taxable part of their estate before they die, so that their children get more of it and the government gets less.

Originally Posted by geojen

Now I love my family, but it is so painful to me that we could have put this money to acutual good use!!!

In their eyes it probably is a good use. Have you talked to your mother about what she did with her share?

I agree w/ tgavin71, don't be jealous of your Aunt or Uncle. They can do whatever they want with their money.

[boefixepa]

Yeah, I can see how that would be hard. But there really isn't much you can do about it. Just take heart that you are doing the best you can with what you have. They are probably looking at it as an early inheritance. BTW do they know that they have to claim that large of a 'gift' on their tax return...

[autoxer]

Originally Posted by boefixepa

BTW do they know that they have to claim that large of a 'gift' on their tax return...

You only have to file a gift tax form if you give more than the annual $12,000 limit to any one person. http://www.irs.gov/instructions/i709/index.html

[Duchesse]

Originally Posted by tgavin71

I'd wouldn't be angry about your uncle buying a new camper or stuff that your aunt bought but its a bit rich that your brother gets $10,000 for a potting shed and you get nothing. If my mum was given $10,000 and decided to spend it on us girls I would expect nothing less than an equal share. I think you have every right to complain.

MAMA MAY HAVE AND PAPA MAY HAVE BUT GOD BLESS THE CHILD THAT'S GOT HIS OWN, THAT'S GOT HIS OWN.

[Fizgig]

I understand your frustration, but you kind of have to pretend that the money doesn't exist. People all over the world are blowing money on frivolous things, but all we can control are our own actions.

About ten years ago my grandfather left a half million dollar estate to my brother. He was very old school and just left everything to the eldest male. To his credit, he used some of the money to pay for one year of my college, and to pay $15,000 of my financially irresponsible sister's CC debt, but that's it. Even though he's one of three children, he kept 95% of it for himself and gave nothing to my mother, who tried to contest the will. Yes, it's frustrating, but I love my brother for all of his good qualities and have to accept the negative ones (greed).

You'll do fine, and you'll do it on you own.