My 87 yr old mother-in-law has plenty of money because she is by her own admission "cheap". She doesn't spend much, saying "that money is yours." Yet, she watches as her 3 young adult grandchildren struggle to get established in expensive California. I admit I get frustrated and want to say "if it is ours then give it to us for our kids now!"

On the other end of the spectrum, my mother believed in helping everyone through the years. She is 93, has little money, and there will be nothing left for some of my siblings who have taken "gifts" against their inheritance when we finally sell mom's house.