A year ago I was left alone. After my husband’s funeral, I gradually came to my senses and realized that in addition to loneliness, I had another problem. I became catastrophically short of money. I live very frugally, I do not allow myself anything extra, but still there are unforeseen expenses, for the same drugs and doctors visits.
My husband and I raised two children, we always tried to help them, we gave them every penny we had. Much of the money for home purchases came into the children’s families because of us. I don’t know how much fate has meant for me, but in any case, my apartment will be inherited by my son and daughter, unless I decide otherwise in my will, which I’m not going to do. They are literate people, they understand how much real estate is worth, as well as the prospects for inheriting a home.
A couple of times I tried to hint to my kids that I was having trouble making ends meet. If they would take care of the ever-growing utilities, I wouldn’t have to think about where to get the money until my next retirement. My daughter pretended not to understand what I was talking about, and my son’s wife is in charge of all the income in the family, so my hints and requests just hung in the air.
I know roughly how much both my daughter and son make, I’m happy for them, for the fact that they can afford to have cars, fly on vacations. My grandchildren always have enough money for pocket expenses, and seeing how easily they spend amounts comparable to my pension, I often wonder if we raised such indifferent children that they don’t want to see me literally poor, don’t try to help in any way. After all, my husband and I have always served as a good example to them in this regard, visiting our parents with bags full of groceries, buying them medicine, paying for doctors, etc.
My friend suggested an option of moving in with her son or daughter, without even asking for their consent, and renting out her own apartment. I would not want to solve the problem this way, but obviously I will have to, if another conversation with the children will not lead to any positive change. I just can’t live on my pension, and all my savings have gone to my children…
