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Worried About the Future
Dear Dave,
I’m worried about my parents and their finances. They’re both in their fifties, and they’re not being
very responsible with their money. I’m especially concerned about what this could mean when they
reach old age. Do you have any advice on how I could help them manage things better?
Corey
Dear Corey,
It sounds like you may have already run into what I call “Powdered Butt Syndrome.” Once someone has
powdered your butt, they really don’t want your advice on anything. Sometimes parents will grow to the point
where they respect and even seek counsel from their children. But the reality is that most adults simply don’t
want unsolicited advice.
I’m on the radio every day giving financial advice to people, but I don’t grab them by the throats and make
them listen. I encounter or hear about people doing dumb things all the time, and in most cases I mind my own
business. Now, it’s a different story if someone asks for my opinion. At that point, I’m obligated to tell them what
I think.
But if the person I’m worried about is a good friend or member of the family, I’ll try to put myself in a position
where they might ask for advice. One good idea could be to tell them your story. You could describe your past
problems, how you fixed them, and how much easier and secure things are now. Sometimes, when you
approach a person with this kind of spirit, it becomes easier for them to get into subjects they ordinarily wouldn’
t talk about.
- Dave
* For more financial advice, plus special offers to our readers, please visit www.davesays.org.
I’m worried about my parents and their finances. They’re both in their fifties, and they’re not being
very responsible with their money. I’m especially concerned about what this could mean when they
reach old age. Do you have any advice on how I could help them manage things better?
Corey
Dear Corey,
It sounds like you may have already run into what I call “Powdered Butt Syndrome.” Once someone has
powdered your butt, they really don’t want your advice on anything. Sometimes parents will grow to the point
where they respect and even seek counsel from their children. But the reality is that most adults simply don’t
want unsolicited advice.
I’m on the radio every day giving financial advice to people, but I don’t grab them by the throats and make
them listen. I encounter or hear about people doing dumb things all the time, and in most cases I mind my own
business. Now, it’s a different story if someone asks for my opinion. At that point, I’m obligated to tell them what
I think.
But if the person I’m worried about is a good friend or member of the family, I’ll try to put myself in a position
where they might ask for advice. One good idea could be to tell them your story. You could describe your past
problems, how you fixed them, and how much easier and secure things are now. Sometimes, when you
approach a person with this kind of spirit, it becomes easier for them to get into subjects they ordinarily wouldn’
t talk about.
- Dave
* For more financial advice, plus special offers to our readers, please visit www.davesays.org.
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Dave Says
