Aunt's financial gift is siphoned
You both seem naive about money -- she obviously believed that she could take money without you realizing it, and you believed that you could put money into an account which she would have ready access to, and it would stay there for the next 10 years or so.
Does she need money now to help support her son? Would you like to contribute to this family's support now, versus saving for later? That's something for you to decide.
If you want to designate savings for your great-nephew, the least-complicated way to do this would be to set up an account linked to your own, with automatic monthly deposits going from your primary account into the extra account. You would have total control over the account, and it would be in your name. You could turn the money over to your great-nephew whenever you choose, or designate this amount to go to him in your will. Do some research about this, and talk to your local banker. His mom cannot handle the temptation, and so you should leave her out of the equation.
Dear Amy: What do you think about a high-level (female) attorney going barefoot at a work function?
This included her time at the podium greeting us as a group and telling us (her employees, essentially) how much our work, including our professionalism, is appreciated.
I would be interested in your thoughts. I am very confused about what is happening here.
-- Confused
Dear Confused: If this professional function was held outdoors, I could almost see this barefoot thing as being part of the vibe, even though I (personally) have an aversion to looking at feet -- even my own. This is amplified when I see people barefoot at public or crowded indoor spaces (unless it is in a meditation or yoga session).
At the very least, this attorney could have worked her shoelessness into her talk. Something about trust, vulnerability, or the freedom of being authentically yourself, regardless of where you are.
This is so unusual that if there was a Q&A after her talk, you would have been justified in asking, "Would you mind telling us why you aren't wearing shoes?"
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