That talk with my dad about lending money to family - now I'm not sure who's right

Last week my dad told me he's been giving my uncle $200 a month for the last year because he was behind on rent. I said that's just enabling bad habits, but my dad said family helps family no matter what. He's 68 and on a fixed pension, so that $200 is real money to him. Meanwhile my uncle just bought a new TV last month, which I pointed out. But my dad argued that you can't judge someone's whole situation by one purchase and that being there for people matters more than being right. Now I'm stuck wondering if I'm too cold or if he's too soft. What do you all do when a family member keeps asking for money and you know they're not making the best choices?

2 comments

2 Comments

emma_mitchell4d ago

A new TV while he's behind on rent? That's wild.

jakeperry4d ago

Man, a new TV while being behind on rent? That's just crazy to me. Like, not even a small one either, probably some 65-inch OLED or something. I'd be looking at my bank account and figuring out how to pay the electric bill before I even thought about buying a screen. Maybe it's just me, but that's a total lack of priority.