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I am amused

August 2nd, 2017 at 03:59 pm

Yesterday i was catching up with someone and learned something I find amusing.

Years ago I became friends with an older lady at church. She was always careful with her money. We did things together. When I went to college we kept in touch. When I returned home, we would do things together. One summer we attended plays at the local university.

A few years ago she became unable to take care of herself and her meds so she entered a nursing home. I visited her each week and would bring her things that she would say she missed. I knew she and her late husband had worked and she said they had invested in savings bonds, but she was always very careful with her money. I took her out once (I had to get permission) and we went shopping and she said she wasn't sure she had the money to buy something and I told her if she didn't, I would pay for it. She did, but I did treat her to a snack at a place of her choosing.

She died and I knew her house was for sale and I had heard the only family she had left was in another country. I didn't think anything of it. Each Memorial Day I put flowers on hers and her husband's grave.

Well, yesterday the person I was catching up with happened to mention her dad was the executor of the estate and that my friend had money. Lots of it. Like over a million.

Here I thought she was broke and she had over a million. Wow, looks can be deceiving. I am quite amused at this because she certainly fooled me. But I know there have been more instances of this that I've read about people living frugally and then when they die, having quite a bit of money accumulated. I'm glad I didn't know she had this money. I would never want people to think I did anything for any gain.

10 Responses to “I am amused”

  1. CB in the City Says:
    1501690893

    What's odd is that she didn't think she had the money for small purchases. Do you think she was trying to fool you? Or was she unaware of her wealth?

  2. rob62521 Says:
    1501691246

    CB, as smart as this lady was, even in the nursing home, I'm sure she was aware. I think it was just the way she grew up and even into adulthood.

  3. ceejay74 Says:
    1501697890

    That's a cute story.

    I sometimes say that to friends, that I can't afford to do something. Knowing full well that I have more in savings and less in debt than they do and they're going to buy the tickets or go to the restaurant anyway. I assume they know that I really can afford it in the sense that I have the money. But maybe some people would be surprised to find out how much I do have since I always sound like I can't afford stuff.

    I kind of assumed my parents were poor because we had so much used stuff and they scrimped on weird little things like the price of a pair of shoes. Now my dad has more money than he knows what to do with, and it was really due to that attitude of not being able to afford things that he really could! Big Grin

  4. rob62521 Says:
    1501719902

    I think I've said the same thing, but I'm not am millionaire ceejay. Smile

  5. patientsaver Says:
    1501720523

    I find it kind of sad that she didn't get to enjoy that money.

  6. rob62521 Says:
    1501768713

    You have a point patientsaver. But my friend never seemed unhappy so maybe she was satisfied she had a "nest egg."

  7. ceejay74 Says:
    1501794856

    That was my thought too, rob. Some folks just enjoy being thrifty, so that IS enjoying their money! Wink

  8. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1501986956

    Maybe she didn't have money for it in her budget that month? I'll wait three or four days to buy something - not because I don't have money in the bank to cover it, but because the money budgeted in that category is gone.

  9. Thrifty Ray Says:
    1502161740

    Some folks who amass money, do so by being extremely frugal. So much so that they forgo minimal comforts. It is hard to know why your friend lived the way she did...but knowing your heart, your kindness was genuine and likely brought your friend great joy. Flowers on Memorial Day....speaks volumes friend.

  10. rob62521 Says:
    1502219183

    Thank you, Thrifty Ray. You warmed my heart!

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