To the Reader,
Have a wonderful year ahead.
Were you able to avoid any bad cash situations? What did your family do? Were they bad? This blog turned 10 years old in November, and it’s been a busy year. Being able to read people’s questions and hear about their lives is a luxury and an honor. Remember that you have no idea what someone is going through. This is something I try to remember if I don’t agree with the letter writer, which our readers and I do sometimes.
It can take some mental gymnastics and a bit of imagination to put yourself into the shoes of the other party. Financial problems do not exist in a vacuum.
The good thing about having written a piece for 10 years: More and more people are beginning their letters with “long-time reader, first-time writer” or “I never thought I’d end up writing to you.” It’s really stood out to me in the last year. People write in based on how you answered earlier letters. This makes it even more important to give a fair and balanced answer. Readers may need legal help from time to time, but the first thing they should do is ask for it.
There are two sides to every story, both in the Moneyist and in real life. Since we only get to see one, it can take some mental gymnastics and creativity to connect with the other side. Money problems don’t happen in a vacuum. Relationship problems, fear, ego, and acting without thinking can all lead people in bad directions. Your bank account and your mental health often go hand in hand, even if we don’t notice it at first.
1) “He always found time to play golf.” My 14-year-husband never worked, and now we’re getting a divorce. He wants half of my $1 million house. What should I do?
It was the Moneyist’s most-read column of 2024, and it was about a husband who picked golf over work. From Wisconsin, a woman asked if her husband would have equal rights to her home if they got a divorce after 14 years of marriage. He liked his golf cart more than an office and didn’t help pay for their marriage. Most importantly, she bought the house before they got married.
2) My grandpa helped pay for my cousin’s college. My cousin left town after my grandpa died. Do the heirs have to pay the debt?
If a grandfather co-signs on a student loan and then dies, what happens? What if the borrower leaves town after that? The second one happens quite often: One-fourth of people who co-sign a loan end up paying at least one bill. It’s easy to think that the renter is a bad person, but you could also get in touch with them and help them deal with their issue.
3) “Our loyalty isn’t worth anything”: I paid $70 for a seat with more legroom, but two women took free seats that were similar to mine. Is that fair?
This letter caused a lot of disagreement. Who was right? The person who paid full price for premium economy and then saw a mother and daughter leapfrog to better seats in his area? Or the mom and daughter who wanted to stretch out for the rest of the flight? Some people who care about airline etiquette were angry about the gray area, while others thought the letter writer should pick his fights more carefully.
They said they would hire a lawyer. My in-laws gave us $300,000 and are on the deed to our house. They now want us to give our niece $125,000.
When your in-laws come over with gifts or ask to have their names put on the deed to your home, be wary. There are many times when “I wish they had written before they accepted their in-laws’ offer.” This was a lesson for people who are thinking about taking a gift (with strings attached) and a case of fixing what went wrong. It would be best if they could get their money back as soon as possible.
5) “He’s 70 years old and pretty rich.” I met the love of my life three years ago. What is the right way to ask him to include me in his will?
What’s mine is mine, and what’s yours is ours. When one partner has more money than the other, especially in a relationship that started later in life, it can lead to awkward requests. For example, this woman thought it was right for her husband of three years to include her in his will. Because she is seven years older than her partner, she is worried about how they will handle their shared estate and inheritance.
Happy New Year, everyone. Thanks for riding along with us.
