HOME PAGE

Self-Sufficiency in Style

inheritance -

another source of funds to buy a smallholding

Dreaming about celebrating.

Even when there is no hope of ever being mentioned in any will, there are ways of making an inheritance finance a new life. 

Many of us are fortunate enough to inherit something at some time.

Even if the circumstances are sad, it may bring happiness.

We might indeed spend it on making a new life of self-sufficiency.

Many people in their fifties and sixties will be losing their parents and will come into houses and cash.

But those usually distressing bequests also give a clue to quite a different source of finance to change your life.

Thrift often becomes obsessive as we become older.

By the time tax and the expenses have been paid and the residue shared amongst the beneficiaries, the sum is not so great.

How often have you heard it said "they skimped and saved all their lives and look how little was left."

One generation's wealth is often peanuts to the next.

Perhaps this is the reason that the will is often followed by bitter disputes. Even the most equitable and even-handed distribution between the children may give rise to hidden envy and guilt.

Cause for dissention.

Energy to meddle.

The writer is willing to bet that your children would rather you were happy, healthy and contented well into old age, than to have some devalued bequest from a miserable couple that bored everyone for years.

The man perhaps obsessed with his golf handicap and the woman meddling in the children's affairs. The pair constantly rewriting the will to cover every imagined slight and missed visit and then to die leaving bad feeling over a comparatively small sum of money.

As the writer's late brother confided in almost his last words, "I can't go yet, I haven't spent it all."

He was joking - I think, but he wasn't so far wrong. His kids didn't need his cash, he had done better for them than that.

Become a spendthrift.

Make sure you don't leave it. Spend it. Make yourself a happy and healthy life doing something you want. Be cheerful and fulfilled. 

The good example may well be the best legacy you can leave your children. Just as you gave them a secure childhood and a good education, give them an illustration of how to grow older gracefully and with motivation.

The probability is that you won't even manage to spend it all, despite having your dream smallholding.

Simple...no great shareholdings, bank balances and investments. No over-provision for old age.

There are a hundred schemes for selling part of the equity of your hobby farm or homestead but still enjoying the full rights as owner.

You really don't need belt and braces. You only need enough...enough for you...and that will be less than you think

Taking the money out, whilst enjoying the benefits.

You can return to Capital or perhaps Going for Broke might excite your interest.

Finding a Place might help and Income may answer more questions.

There are many things you can do to leave a lasting impression on this world. Try thinking about Grandmother's Skills.

The irony is you will leave something of value that will last several generations.

"leaving behind"

 the mournfully  named Hangman's Cottage, just to the south of Misery Corner.