As a resoundingly poor person about your age, I have little to nothing worth an inheritance. Albeit I do have some rare old books that might be valuable some day. But if I had, I'd consider which family members would actually appreciate and benefit from a sizeable inheritance.
Albeit I do have some rare old books that might be valuable some day.
You would have loved the neighbor across the street when I was growing up. She had an old book store in the front rooms of their farmhouse, would buy and sell. She was well read and used to hit the thrift stores looking for quality books of value every week until she was no longer able in the 1970s. She helped me out in elementary, middle and high school by giving me books about whatever I was learning at the time. She was like a surrogate grandmother to me. Wonderful woman. She also taught me how to play cribbage and took us candle pin bowling ... my folks weren't into bowling but I loved it. Later in life I was either the cribbage champ or close to it in every competition.
Unfortunately I hardly know my cousins kids. I should try to get to know them before it's too late. I think everyone of them would appreciate an inheritance, and given most of my cousins kids are in their 40s, should be mature enough to spend the money wisely. None of my cousins are wealthy, so their kids were raised to be frugal and to make do with what they had ... just like me. Hunting, fishing, gardening, integrity, hard work, family and making due is the lifestyle they were taught. Knowing I mproved their lives into the future would make me rest easy as I someday drift off into the abyss. If my folks were still alive I think that they would emphatically agree with my plan.
That's the neighbor a kid like me would have adored.
Sounds like a fantastic way to grow up! Your cousin's kids are very lucky; as hard as these financial times seem to be an inheritance can make the difference between living day to day and being able to plan for the future.
That's the neighbor a kid like me would have adored.
She let me count and roll their change jar every year - because I was into coin collecting. She told me I could keep any valuable coins I found. I did find many to help fill in my coin collection books. After I got a bit older, she found a younger neighborhood kid to do it, same story. Great neighbors!
Neighborhoods aren't nearly as connected as they were back in my day. It would be fantastic if society could someday recapture that friendly cohesion.
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