My mother-in-law (Japanese) is 75, and her finances are overrun by companies preying on her (and elderly people in general). Her DOCOMO cell phone bill is 13,000 yen a month. She has multiple subscriptions sending her monthly cosmetic products, healthy powder drinks, and "made in Japan" water. She's always on the shopping channel. And to top it off, she is in message contact with a fortune teller that I am sure is milking her bank account to no end. We pay her rent and utilities, yet she still asks for a shockingly high amount each month. She also doesn't spend much time outside, so we know most of this money will go toward her subscriptions.
We've tried to help her. For example, we were close to changing her cell plan to a much more affordable option with a different company. But once my MIL realized that she would lose her Docomo email account (which is how she communicates with the fortune teller), she stonewalled and refused to change. She's also incredibly private and a poor communicator, which makes it difficult to get a grasp on her finances.
My wife also realizes that her mother has serious financial problems. But we are busy with our own lives and children, so we just don't have the time or energy for a confrontation to audit my MIL's finances. And because I'm just a foreigner and she's my MIL, I feel limited in how hard I can push to get her to change. I'm also worried that if we (I) push her too hard, it'll ruin the relationship (both with my MIL and my wife).
I realize that we can always play hardball and refuse to give her any monthly allowance, but I'm worried that if we do, she'll start charging her credit card, putting her further and further into debt.
Does anybody know of a consultative service that specializes in helping the elderly improve their financial situation and shed these awful subscription services? At this point, I'm happy to pay for it.
by MasterSugoi