Making a large purchase with an inheritance...

[drag n' fly]

It happened to me. I received a inheritance from my uncle. I took the money bought a vehicle (used). I renovated my old house and made 25,000 profit and plunked the rest down to build a brand new house. I am happily reminded of my uncles generosity and extremely thankful. He never married and nor had kids and he thought the world of his nieces and nephews He would of been proud of the way I had spent the money sensibly

 

[FoundMyPrince]

My mother received a nice chunk of money when her mother passed. And, now my parents own a little chunk of Disney through DVC. We'll thank Grandma every time we see Mickey.

 

[Dizzy4Disney90210]

My girlfriend's father died in a car crash when she was 3, there was a trust fund that was paid to her when she turned 18 for 25,000.00. She blew it all on nothing, and regrets it to this day, she has nothing to show for it - not a thing.

 

[PaulaSue]

Not sure what you mean by your first question.

Next question, it does remind me of the person. I know the person would be very happy with what we put it towards.

 

[quasar4legs]

I am sorry for your loss.

I think your Grandmother would be pleased that you did something with the money that gave you happiness.

Trish

 

[Colleen27]

Actually, that's how our first family Disney trip came about. We received an inheritance from a Disney-loving relative, and decided the best way to honor her would be to use the money to take the kids to her favorite place. So yes, we used it for a major purchase, and yes, it reminds us of her but in a very good way.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

One final note--people can do some funny things in grief. Some may appear odd to an outside observer. If I heard of someone, say, going on a cruise right after they lost their mom, I would be very, very slow to judge. You don't know the history or what drives them through the grief process.

I know this is not what you were talking about, but made me think of my experience...November of 2007, my grandfather was dying of cancer and he kept saying that if he could get better, he couldnt wait to take my grandmother, mother, father, and us on an alaskan cruise--he had gone on one years before and wanted us all to go. Unfortunately, he passed away. 4 months later, my grandmother told us we were going to go on that alaskan cruise---grandpa would have wanted us to!

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I know this is not what you were talking about, but made me think of my experience...November of 2007, my grandfather was dying of cancer and he kept saying that if he could get better, he couldnt wait to take my grandmother, mother, father, and us on an alaskan cruise--he had gone on one years before and wanted us all to go. Unfortunately, he passed away. 4 months later, my grandmother told us we were going to go on that alaskan cruise---grandpa would have wanted us to!

I had a similar experience. I'd been planning a trip to Brazil when my mom died. We had cousins there, and my mom (in addition to telling me to "have fun") specifically told me that I should still go, and that she and her already-deceased cousin would be watching us from above. So, I too, took a fun trip only 2 months after my mom died, and knew she wanted it that way.

 

[Buckalew11]

I have used some for a large purchase. It definitely reminds me of my grandparents. It reminds me of how hard they worked all their lives. It reminds me of how much they loved us that they saved the way they did. It reminds me of how grateful I am for their gift. I bought BCV points and every trip I say a prayer to the Lord of thanks for the opportunity to stay at such wonderful resorts because of them. When I die, I'll thank them myself.

Remembering someone who passed while enjoying life while you are here isn't a bad thing.

 

[Piecey]

We have kinda a different situation than what you're describing...

We inherited stock. It's worth quite a bit.. but we don't want to cash it in. Hoping it'll get even better!

We were trying to decide what to do with the dividends... and decided to let them collect into a brokerage account until the baby is born, when we'll open a 529 account which we'll then fill with the dividends/contents of the brokerage account.

DH inherited the stock from his dad, who he had an "iffy" relationship with. DH is the first in his family to go to college, and none of them really 'get' why he went. DH thinks this is an excellent use of the money... but I know in 18 years, when it comes time for the kid to go to college.. it'll remind him of his dad and probably cause issues.

 

[Galahad]

I guess I'll be the odd man out. I would not be comfortable making a purchase. But, DW and I are in our 50's. Anything we want we have worked to provide for ourselves. I sincerely hope that our parents are spending our inheritance. If we receive an inhereitance before our own kids are established, we'd just put it away for them in case something happens to us early. Otherwise, frankly I'm not sure I know what we'd do with it. Perhaps give it to a charity or foundation in their name.

 

[DebbieB]

My Mom bought a dining room set with her inheritance from her mother. I think she saw it as a "gift" from her mother. My mom has since passed and I am living in the house. I am hoping to move into a townhouse and the one thing I am definitely taking with me is that dining room set.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Would you be comfortable seeing the receipt of a financial inheritance as a context for indulging in one or more large purchases?

Sure. As long as it wasn't my inheritance, it's none of my beezwax and I just don't care.

If it is my inheritance, I might use a little for fun, but I'd bank the rest. You never know what is coming.

Also: Would or would not the things you buy with money from an inheritance "remind" you of the loss that brought about the inheritance?

Nope. It would remind me of the person who loved me enough to leave me a big chunk of dough.