How to deal with a family member who constantly complains about money
This dynamic typically happens because the person wants a sympathetic listener rather than actual financial solutions, while continuing to spend money on frivolous things. Absorbing endless complaints about being broke while they ignore advice leads to exhaustion and resentment.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1ignoring them and not engaging in the topicDid this help you?
- 2setting boundaries and telling them you prefer not to discuss money issuesDid this help you?
- 3laughing internally and letting it goDid this help you?
- 4asking if they want a solution or just someone to listenDid this help you?
- 5pulling away a bit from the relationshipDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I realize that they are never going to listen to me and I am tired of nonstop complaints about not having money while in the same breath telling me about how they are spending money on frivolous things.”source ↗
“Anyone else have a family member or friend like this and what did you do?”source ↗
“My sister is like this also. You'll have to ask her if she wants a solution or just someone to listen.”source ↗
Where this came up
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