Our pals at
Planet Money asked a bunch of economists to give some graduation advice to the batch of college graduates who will be applying for jobs and entering the workforce soon.
Is there a kind and gentle way for C. to say "Mom, I can't give you any more money?" Are there resources we can suggest to help her develop better spending habits (if it matters, she's in her mid-50's and—thank goodness!—has a generous pension when she retires, so retirement saving isn't a big issue)?
Dear Mike,
My father turns 70 this year. He's lived a fantastic, globe-trotting life as a journalist, but his freelancing gigs dried up about a decade ago and now he's living off Social Security and some meager savings with old medical bills to pay. He's very private about finances, so I'm not exactly sure what his situation is, but I am pretty sure he is right on the line of being able to support himself. He lives alone, and is friendly, but somewhat distant from our extended family. (I am his only child.)
