Money is only for the next generation... Her generosity with others makes life much harder.
Oh wow, I haven't thought of it that way before, but this describes my mom's mentality perfectly. She would rather work multiple minimum wage job than touch the money she inherited from her parents, unless she's using that money on my brother and me. It feels crazy.
I also though she was worried that the inherited money would run out one day, so I've offered to pay her living expenses so she could retire, but she refused and said she will only quit to care of a grandchild. At the time, I viewed it as emotional blackmail, but now I can see that part of her refusal is because she doesn't know what to do with her free time.
For me money is a platform on which to build a lifestyle. The money isn't the lifestyle itself. The lifestyle itself involves free or near-free activities such as learning, helping, creativity, fitness, being close to nature and mindful reflection. Money is just a way to enable that lifestyle.
If/when I do any work, it's going to be mainly in the service of the lifestyle. In fact, if/when I do work, I will try to do work that is more aligned with the lifestyle, e.g. jobs that involved interesting and substantial learning or being closer to nature, etc.
