My MIL flew in on Saturday.  So far her visit has been great and oh so enlightening.

My MIL who never considered whether or not a financial decision was good or bad is now Mrs. investment and fiscally conscious.

My CPA bride dragged her mother to a financial advisor about 24mos ago.  That was a tear filled event.  My MIL burst into tears when the advisor informed her that there was no way that she was going to retire at 65 and that at the earliest would be 75.  Lots of lamentation on how that was not the plan, the lost homes, the bankruptcies, etc, etc, etc......

Meanwhile 18mos later and not back at the foreclosed ranch there is a new light on the horizon.  She and my bride have been coordinating with the financial advisor on investments, increased contributions to the retirement account, preserving the modest life insurance pay out from my FIL's passing in mid summer of 2018, preserving the early retirement incentive that MIL just received from her 25+ year employer, and investing the widow's benefits she is receiving from FILs SSI.  They are working on MILs resume and interview skills in between trips to museums, NASA, etc.......  Her daughter is extremely qualified to guide MIL on her investment and job search journey.  DW has been hyper and the two of them have been giggling like school girls since MIL arrived.

I am proud of her.  MIL seems to have turned over a new leaf.  Sure, there are still inklings of the old MIL.  The pie in the sky home remodel dream (the home she can barely afford, and I mean B.A.R.E.L.Y!), a new car, international travel with her sister and life long BFF.  All not going to happen.  But.... if she continues on the trajectory that she has been on she can have a semi-comfortable retirement, have a moderately enjoyable quality of life, and my wife will not have to worry about her quite as much.

Max the investment advisor is keeping MIL's feet on the ground and head out of the clouds.  She is a bit pouty that Max told her last week "There is no way any bank will give you a home equity loan for a remodel."  But... he did follow it up with an increased savings plan that will allow her to do a few modest things.  In the old days that would have generated severe anger, lots of emotional drama and months of victim hood whining.  Now, it is  just moderate disappointment.

My wife is working half days Mon & Wed this week and taking Tuesday and Thursday off completely to spend with her mom.   MIL told her last night that she is happy to have my wife to herself, not having to share DW with her three  younger sibs, her Aunt (MIL's sister) or my DW's home town  BFFs.  This is panning out to be a great visit.  I intend to bring her back regularly as MIL's and DW's schedules allow.  As long as the new MIL remains in play.

Losing FIL was tough for MIL. For all of us really.  But she truly is blossoming now that she is entirely responsible for paying the bills, preparing for retirement, and living her life by her own volition.  She is socializing, visiting museums, going to concerts, etc, etc, etc.... Stuff she did very rarely for decades.  No more visits to the Casino.  Thank goodness.  Just living a pleasant life.

I hope beyond hope that she keeps it  up.

Go MIL!!!!!! Whoop, whoop, whoop!!!  And surprisingly I do not mean go as in leave.