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Their inheritance was going to be what’s left of my Roth and our property with 2000 feet of river frontage.

It's none of my business, but I'm going to do the unpardonable and jump in here anyway. I'd say not to worry about your children, particularly if they are current adults. Especially middle-aged adults. I'm middle-aged plus and would never expect my parents to help me with my retirement. I'd like them to spend every penny they have and just not leave any bills ;) I do worry about the world that my son (18 as of last Saturday) will inherit and the crushing debt his generation will have to pay. BUT, my giving him a large inheritance deprives him of the pride of earning his own way. We need to go back to those 'old-fashioned' values, when people had enough self-respect to not accept unearned money and took pride in what they accomplished themselves.

That said, as a parent, I understand what you're feeling. I do think generations after the Greatest Generation certainly had an easier time than future ones will have. My mom has gotten back every penny she paid into SS and then some, plus had a pretty good lifestyle with a limited education and limited income. Nobody under 50-60 can say that these days. It'll be even worse for GenerationXers. The days of prosperity are over.

Anyway, I'm sure you both raised great kids. Just look at the role models they've had! I imagine they'll all do just fine.

I'd say not to worry about your children, particularly if they are current adults. Especially middle-aged adults. I'm middle-aged plus and would never expect my parents to help me with my retirement. I'd like them to spend every penny they have and just not leave any bills ;) I do worry about the world that my son (18 as of last Saturday) will inherit and the crushing debt his generation will have to pay. BUT, my giving him a large inheritance deprives him of the pride of earning his own way.

The way things seem to be going, it's not likely that you'll be able to leave him a large inheritance anyway. I see the government soaking it up so all your hard earned money will go the them and the deadbeats that they are supporting.

That said, there has to be some way of getting your inheritance to your kids in some useful form. Right now, you can give gifts of money to them tax free. If you don't want to do that, I suppose buying property might be the next best option. If the economy keeps going down, it might not be a bad deal for someone who has the money. If the property is paid for (no mortgage) then it's just a matter of keeping up with the taxes.

It’s none of my business>>> of course it’s your business. It’s a forum where we share our thoughts. I have bragged for years that my family has never had hard feelings as the result of any inheritances. My childless, widowed sister recently passed away and I have such guilt feelings over the small inheritance she left me that I have been trying to spread it out among my children but they resist all my efforts, wanting me to spend it on myself but what does this old lady want beside her flowers and vegetable garden. I refused to buy coffee at eateries when their price reached $1.00 (been a long time , right?) I tell everyone that saving money and being frugal is the only hobby I have.

Anyway, I do worry, as most parents do. I think each succeeding generation seems to lose some of the survival instincts which will probably be very necessary and very soon.

Let’s see if I can post this as a single post and not a double one. LOL