| “ when there isn't quite enough money” But is it obvious there isn't enough money? My in-laws, immigrants with almost no skills and mext to zero English, work at Walmart. Their income sucks (<40k combined [1]), and they have zero financial skills (they grew up in communism). The one thing they know, however, is that my wife is very sharp. therefore, they have given her full access to their all their accounts. Result? They’re contributing to a 401k despite always blowing money on flashy iPhones (they’re fairly irresponsible). They also bought a modest house (ill admit we did lend them the money for a 10% down, which they've paid back) since rent had become more expensive than a mortgage. They’ve been in the US for just five years and, with very little material help from us, have a reasonable shot at retirement income [2]. The big difference with many others is that my wife took a chunk of their financial autonomy with automatic withdrawals so they wont blow too much money (lottery tickets, booze, fancier iPhones, etc) [1] Note, they don't have to take care of anyone but themselves with <40k [2] retirement means selling the house and coming to live with us as soon as either of them can no longer work. |