What would you do?

Your close friend's Dad just died. (Her Mom died years ago.) He left her $80,000. She is 38, single, debt free except for owing $90,000 on her condo and $15,000 on her car. In your mind it would be a great opportunity for her to put a huge payment on her condo, or max out her retirement savings, or pay off the car, put some on the house and go on a nice vacation. She wants to give the whole amount to her Dad's favorite charity. She says she feels guilty for taking his money. You are thinking if he wanted it left to charity, he would have given to charity in his will. He gave it to her (and her brother who also got $80,000). Do you stay out of it and let her do whatever she wants? Or do you try to convince her otherwise?

What would you do?

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I would stay out of it. It is her choice. It does not sound like she is struggeling financially.

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~Happiness is a large family~

I have a friend like this! I figured it was her money and she needed to do what she wanted with it. Of course she is an accountant for the IRS - I pretty much figure when it comes to advice on money that I am the last person she wants to hear from.

I would stay out of it. Its her money and her choice. Hopefully she will be smart about it.

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Mom of one kangaroo!

Because it's my close friend, I will ask her to keep a portion of it and give the rest to the same charity after a few years.

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And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Phil:4:7

I would totally support her decision. There are too few people in the world that would donate that amount money. She could be the answer to many people's prayers.

I remember a couple years after 9/11 there was a huge news story about some of the wives that were given millions of dollars when their dh's passed in the attack. They blew through the money (MILLIONS!) in a short amount of time.
Think about your friend the same way. Why would she want 80,000 reasons to think about her dad in the form of things and money? To me it would be 80,000 reasons to miss my dad and feel guilty that we were not together any more.
Just a thought.

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a
"The best things in life are not things." ~Unknown
a

She seems financially responsible, so I wouldn't say much to her unless she asked for my advice. If she did, I might suggest that she should do whatever she thought that would make her Dad happiest with the money left from his estate.

Michelle

Wow, this is what she said almost word for word! My parents (and both my in-laws) are still living so I haven't ever experienced this feeling.

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I would stay out of it. If she is not struggling financially and has no children to worry about their future, then she has no need for the money really. She was blessed, in an unfortunete way though, and she is blessing others.

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Jenifer
Proud wife to one amazing man
Proud mom to four awesome kids

Fall is my favorite season!
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight." Proverbs 3:5-6