I'm back. This whole thing really blew up. I have read all the posts, all the advice and nice comments and all the harsher one. Yikes! Hah. Anyway, I didn't abandon the thread. The intent was just to ask for advice on how to deal with criticism from my family. I got a lot of sound, great advice but also quite a bit of commentary on my character and how much I probably suck
Thanks to all.
Okay, bit of backstory: Grandpa came from money but also created jobs and his own wealth. Mom was well taken care of as were her siblings. Growing up I was grandpa's favorite, as was mom since she was his youngest child/daughter. Grandpa and I were close up until he died. I always knew I would get an inheritance but the will was shocking to quite a few family members, including my mom and me. Basically we got everything while my mom's remaining three siblings and my cousins got next to nothing (other than a property and a few acres of land split). All of them at one point had trusts though I don't have a lot of details of how much they were (my aunts and uncle). It did create ~drama with that part of the family but to be honest I was the only grandchild my grandfather was truly close to.
My parents both worked, even my mom has had a successful career and had money to fall back on. Yes, my parents encouraged me to work growing up but I always was busy with sports and other competitions and the time was just not there.
Once I came into the inheritance my mom assumed nothing would change and that I would start looking for a job. They were truly surprised, though not angry like my grandmother. They have worked their whole lives and thought it was only natural I do the same. They are concerned and worry about me becoming bored. My mom worries that because I have never struggled ( really, in any sense) that I won't become a well rounded person. It's true that next to nothing awful has happened to me, apart from losing my grandparents and having a close friend die.
I actually am happy. When I was younger I stayed with my grandpa during the summers and by then he wasn't actively involved in his businesses anymore but he still got up at 4:15 am every day and made phone calls and worked. He had gotten up at that time and worked well into the evening for over fifty five years prior to that, resting only on Sundays. He never took a vacation because working WAS his hobby. He always encouraged all his kids and me to travel because he never did.
I don't work, never have. But I don't think I'm a drain on society. I do what I like but I don't have an unpleasant attitude. I am carefree and I enjoy cooking. I like going places when I want to and not having to be a certain place at a certain time. It makes everything so much easier to plan for. Since I don't need the income and keep myself busy (travel, cooking, gardening, helping and visiting friends) I don't see the point in taking a job from someone else. Plus in order to keep a job I would have to settle down somewhere and right now I bounce around. That time I spent traveling I couch surfed, stayed in nice hotels but also hostels. I partied a bit but also learned to cook different foods and I cooked for others I stayed with
I loved it! I was able to go to Oktoberfest and went nearly every day. I spent three weeks at Disney World and flew my friends down for a week when they could take time off. I may not be working- but I do fill my time up.
Right now I'm enjoying my house and am doing nothing. Like today I just had ate lunch and am on the internet all day. But my days vary and I just try to entertain myself. Baking pies IS my idea of fun, though to some of you it may not be. Fixing up my house was also fun and something that made me feel productive.
To answer a few more questions:
My financial advisor helps me so that my money WILL last. I haven't even dented the budget for this year. Through small investments I will continue to grow my money. With my parents help I'm trying to be smart and make educated decisions. keyword is trying, haha. But luckily I have people behind me.
-I'm not currently interested in volunteering (only because I keep busy) but that could change. I have considered Girl Scouts or something with kids. Maybe a camp counselor? That might be a paid position though
-I would love to start a business and create jobs but I just don't know what I would do. I have kept it in my mind and if the right opportunity comes along I might go in but as for now, no.
-A bar I will consider more but I would need to do serious research or take on a partner who knows the business.
-My parents paid for my education and it was their gift to me so no, they don't want me to pay them back.
I'm happy with my life and I feel like my grandpa would be proud of me. I do the things I want. I feel like I'm a good person.
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