@ 2009-08-06 – 10:37:29
do you agree with the idea that we should spend all our money (assuming we've got any) and not bother leaving any behind for our children or relatives (assuming we've got any)??
does that send out the wrong signal?
or is it actually a healthy attitude - i've earned it so i'm spending it on things i enjoy?
voting is now open!
Jenniebaby
kevinwilson
Pro thanks for that, jb - particularly with people living so much longer, it probably is fair that they should invest their money in paying for their own care.
isadora101
Of course i'm not talikng HUGE amounts of money here but unless there is really something that will make one really happy I do not believe that squandering one's savings for the sake of it is very 'productive'.
If I really desire or need anything then I will spend my money, otherwise I will take pleasure in the fact that anything left over for my daughters may ease their 'mortgage burden' slightly when i'm gone 
kevinwilson
Pro yes, i suppose spending money for the sake of it is pretty negative. but spending it to improve your own quality of life is ok, i think.
i also like to think that i could leave something for my children, but two out of three of them are better off than me already! x
Much will depend on so many variables.....
kevinwilson
Pro true, but what about the principle involved?
Certainly, I could not subscribe to the principle: "i've earned it so i'm spending it on things i enjoy"....
There is something intrinsically immoral about that position, however sensible it may appear to be..
kevinwilson
Pro thanks for that - it sums up the dilemma really well.
jenray
Pro I'd like to leave our son something but he says that we should spend it on ourselves because we've earned it and not to worry about leaving anything to him, but I'd feel really bad if we left nothing for him...he'll definitely get something...
GBHs...XXX
kevinwilson
Pro think i'll leave mine the gas bill!! only kidding...xx
jenray
Pro HLOL...oooh, you are naughty...
GBHs...XXX
kendersrule
Pro Why not avoid inheritance tax and spend it before you die, on yourself AND your relatives?
Jenniebaby
Have to be a wee bit careful - there's a whole 7 years thing...
Fairly easy to bypass/lie about though - I think that the Inland Revenue pretty much expect and accept that.
kevinwilson
Pro like jb says, the inland revenue is redhot on that sort of stuff, but i like your idea.
avenscent
I dont have much but i am going to have the things i want if theres money left they will have it if not they wont,they are probably already better of than i am now, after all they live there lives and i live mine they do nothing for me, god knows thats the truth, and i have cared for them, thats how i see it.
kevinwilson
Pro and that's fair enough, i think - maybe there are one or two sentimental things to leave behind, but each generation seems more financially comfortable than the last, so why not spend your money?!
avenscent
Yes why not, i always think that what you leave behind that you love is never thought the same of by some one else anyway,much of what is dear to you in your life will be cast away by the next generation, it dies with you sadly, perhaps its some thing to do with the fact that people dont want to feel sentimental anymore and move on faster than they used to, afterall you always live on in there mind anyway and as long as they know you loved them thats what matters most that is some thing they will keep forever.
brokendownangel
Pro I think they should make their own way in the world and we should enjoy what we have worked for, if there is any left then fine they can have it, but it shouldn't be saved for them to the detriment of our own enjoyment x
kevinwilson
Pro well put...by the same token, i don't see much point stashing large sums of savings away 'for the future'.. by all means keep something to one side, but life is too short in my opinion! x
pompeycaulkhead
I think we should spend it all. Everyone should make their own way in the world. Not rely on a relatives croaking to get them going!!!!!
i don't think we should expect our parents to leave us anything, then if it happens its a nice surprise.
at the moment I'm not a big fan of saving and will happily spend rathr than wait for a rainy day, but I guess my thoughts will change as and when Bump arrives/grows.
Interesting though, would rather have some 'thing' to remember mum by than her cash.
Artisam
I disagree as I'd feel guilty about not leaving any once I've gone! 
moonwoman
Why not do both? What a fence sitter I am. I don't believe my husband and I work as hard as we do just for the sake of our son and grandkids to inherit. We spend what we want for a quality of life for ourselves. The assets we build he gets to have. However my wise words of advice to my parents and now to my mother ... go and have a blast with the money you have earned. At 80 years of age she is doing just that. I'm so proud of her! Will there be anything left for me to inherit? Yes, the knowledge that she has freely chosen to give herself some awesome experiences and had some major fun in the last years of her life. Just my two cents worth!
ravingmad
Well I'm going to spend what I want on myself and family, and IF there's any left over when I'm gone, my children are welcome to it, but I don't think there's any point in saving money specially to leave to them. By the time I'm dead they probably won't need it anyway, so I'd rather spend it on them now, for birthdays and Xmas, buying them things I know they want but can't afford.
Neonjake
Definitely MINE. Two of my kids have a hell of a lot more money than I do, course they work hard for it. The other one could stay drunk for a while on my money...NOT.
jake
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Yes - I do!
Inheritance is an outdated concept, which just strengthens class/wealth divides and further breaks down society.
I can often be found ranting incandescently at those Daily Mail type stories about people who are devastated that their elderly parents should be called upon to use their wealth (or sell their property) to pay for for nursing care/sheltered housing etc (rather than it being paid for by the state) and 'eating into their inheritance' - nobody has a 'right' to inheritance!
OK - am done ranting now