How would you describe the difference between your financial responsibilities and those of your mother? Contrast the way you and your mother handle the emotional side of dealing with money. Is there anything different between our generation of older women and our mothers’ generation?
Quote of the Week
A wise woman adapts herself to circumstances as water shapes itself to the vessel that contains it.
~ Chinese Proverb
Join the Conversation
This is a discussion site for women 60 and older. You are invited to help shape the stories in my upcoming book.
I try to post a new question for discussion every Monday and look forward to your comments.
Women & Aging 
My mother married young, never worked outside the home, was an excellent home maker and mother of 5. My father adored her always, though was a very domineering, controlling personality. They had lean times in their early years, though I never remember doing without anything. Mother had what money my father gave her. I didn’t see difficulties with this until they disagreed on one of my brothers going to college. My father then became an ogre in my opinion as he had her ask for and explain every dollar she spent for quite some time. That he would treat her this way infuriated me.
In contrast, I was 24 when I married and divorced after a year. I had one daughter and provided for the 2 of us. I was fortunate to have the family support I had when she was small and I barely made enough to sustain us. By the time she was 5 I was making a nice income. In contrast to my Mother, the money in my adult life was all earned by me and I was the decision maker on how it was used. I enjoyed my independence.
My mother was wife of a Naval Academy Captain, hence having government support most of our lives. However, because of the times we were frugal always as our parents never forgot the horror of that first great depression. Our mom made all of my and my twin’s clothes from any fabric she could find. The two boys didn’t care if they didn’t “match.” Because of the careful spending, I notice that we four siblings still are careful with money. . .with the older being the more careful! While my son, to my disdain, does not follow that careful wisdom
We also stomped on cans “for the war” and made victory gardens with our Dad on his return home from the war. I am appreciative of those times “showing me the way” now.
For one thing, my mother had to feed, clothe and house 10 of us kids, while I had only 3. My father, however, earned a good living, while my husband was a farmer. We had a good life, but there was no extra money hanging around. My mother went through the Depression, so she was very frugal and since our farm was virtually a non-profit (unintentionally) deal, I learned to be frugal as well. Both Mom and I sewed our own clothes and those of our children. We both baked our own bread. However, once my children were raised and the money situation eased up, I got a little more liberal with my spending while Mom never did. She died leaving us kids $90,000 to divide. I will probably die broke and in debt!