THIS IS WAY OUT OF LINE Dear Dave , I ’ m trying hard to get control of my money and get out of debt , but I had a situation come up the other day , and I really don ’ t know what to do . I ’ m one of four brothers , and our parents ’ fiftieth wedding anniversary is early next month . My two oldest brothers got together and made plans for a party without consulting the rest of us . They want everyone to chip in $ 1,000 to help pay for things . I love my mom and dad , but the only savings I have is $ 1,000 in my beginner emergency fund . Will you tell me how to address this situation ? -Ronald
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Dear Ronald , I ’ m going to be blunt here , okay ? Since you weren ’ t asked about any of this ahead of time , and had no say in anything , fair would be for you and your brother who weren ’ t consulted to pay zero . Zilch .
Planning something that expensive without consulting everyone involved well ahead of time — and expecting them to lay out $ 1,000 without warning — is way out of line . And don ’ t let your older brothers lay a guilt trip on you , either . This has nothing to do with how much you love your parents , being greedy or anything like that . It has everything to do with consideration and communication , or in this case , a lack of these on their part .
If I were you , I ’ d let your oldest brothers know exactly what your financial situation is like right now . Explain what you ’ re doing and why you ’ re doing it , then let them know in a nice , but firm , tone you ’ ll give them whatever you can scrape up , but you won ’ t be chipping in anything close to $ 1,000 . Oh , and I ’ d tell them next time they hatch up a big , expensive plan like this , to check with all their brothers way ahead of time .
Best of luck , Ronald . I ’ m sorry you have to deal with this .
— Dave www . kidslifemagazine . com
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