Parents in a pickle.

LegacyUser

Hi, if you can offer me any constructive advice on my problem here I would most appreciate it

Story is, the parents are really after screwing up their finances gradually over the last 10 years and it's such a mess now that I dont know where to start.

Essentially, they sold up in Dublin and moved to the country. Made a nice profit from the process but that profit seemed to vanish. My dad is self employed, now I cannot fault my dad for his work ethic or skill as he has an extremely loyal and lucrative customer base but he just dosent run his outfit like a business and therefore just treats all the cash earned as his, I try tell him thats not how it works but although he will listen, he wont act on any advice.

For me, my mam is the main culprit to their problem. Shes turned into a kind of a WAG but without the funds to facilitate the lifestyle.Shes cash hungry and will pester my dad non-stop for money for this, money for that...she'll say it's for bills but really 40% is probably going on bills and the rest is for a dress or shoes.

In the past 6months, the tv has been cut off, phone and internet followed close suit. Now money was never in a great supply but the bills were always paid at least, these events have really made me worry.

I have a great relationship with my dad, we can talk openly about this whole kerfuffle and he openly admits that he's 100% to blame along with my mam and we hash it out and I tell him he needs to start paying himself a set wage for stability but I dont live at home so I cant keep the momentum going and the old routines reemerge.

At this stage now, theres more letters unopened then opened in the house. Serious 'head buried in sand' syndrome going on. What frustrates/infuriates me is that when Im home they're crying poverty (mam especially), yet theres always a new dress or pair of shoes etc (mam again is the main culprit).

Im just at a loss as its a case where the money is there but the priorities and the management of the money is abysmal, it may or may not sound crazy but maybe being brought to court by a creditor may just be the wake up call that they need.



They're in their mid 40's now and they will be penniless come their retirement age...thats if my dad lives that long as he has stress etched into his face due to all this.


Please Halp

silverharp

wow , it sounds like you have more life skills then your parents. mabs.ie is probably a good place to start. It seems unfair that your should need to take on the Eddie Hobbs role in your house but fair play to you for being able to understand whats going on.