How should I respond to this?

[logan's mom]

AAAHHHH! I just remembered that she still owes me $100 for her mom's birthday gift in April. "We" went together and bought her a new blender. AND $50 for a Christmas gift that I picked up for her.

Oh, definitely not getting any money from us. AND maybe it's time I learn a lesson.... : /

[Binkandabee]

AAAHHHH! I just remembered that she still owes me $100 for her mom's birthday gift in April. "We" went together and bought her a new blender. AND $50 for a Christmas gift that I picked up for her.

Oh, definitely not getting any money from us. AND maybe it's time I learn a lesson.... : /

Unreal. Definitely high time you separate your finances from hers. I would absolutely ignore the text and not feel an ounce of guilt.

[MamaMolly]

AAAHHHH! I just remembered that she still owes me $100 for her mom's birthday gift in April. "We" went together and bought her a new blender. AND $50 for a Christmas gift that I picked up for her.

Oh, definitely not getting any money from us. AND maybe it's time I learn a lesson.... : /

Bank of Logan's Mom is officially closed!!

[AngB]

AAAHHHH! I just remembered that she still owes me $100 for her mom's birthday gift in April. "We" went together and bought her a new blender. AND $50 for a Christmas gift that I picked up for her.

Oh, definitely not getting any money from us. AND maybe it's time I learn a lesson.... : /

Whelp I think you have her birthday and Christmas gifts to her covered for the year too, if you do them!

No more going in on gifts with her!

[TwinFoxes]

I don't think every rude action needs to be called out.

So true. I think people would be much happier if they spent less time being annoyed/offended at small transgressions. (Not directed at OP, she doesn't sound especially annoyed!)

[JCat]

I would probably give whatever I would have spent on the fundraiser, even if that's thirty dollars, ten dollars, or a hundred.

[IansMom]

just to be nice.

I would have an issue with funding something that I consider non-essential. If DNs needed something like books, shoes, etc, I would be more than willing to help. We have been asked by my husband's sister to contribute to gifts for their mutual brother's kids and we have always said no. If your parents cannot afford the latest gaming system and games, latest brand of tennis shoes, etc than the child should learn that that is outside the family's means.

We send DNs gifts. I would send my sister's kids gifts whether they reciprocate or not. We are very close and the children always call to thank us. DH sends his brother's kids gifts and we only (sometimes) receive a generic "thank you" from DH's mother. It really irritates me but I have washed my hands of the situation.

ETA: you could just tell her to put the $150 that she owes you to the contribution. This is definitely something I would do.

[moosemama]

ETA: you could just tell her to put the $150 that she owes you to the contribution. This is definitely something I would do.

That's a great idea, but I'd tell her very sweetly that she could just pay me back the $100 she owes from MIL's birthday gift and put the $50 she owes from the Christmas present towards the football expenses.

[hbridge]

I use to be very worried about friends and family who pleaded poverty until I was speaking with a friend about Christmas a few years back and told her that DH was trying to find an XBOX with Knect for the kids for Christmas, but it was sold out every where. When she responded that they had one (it had just come out), I started to wonder. Then I saw her out with the family in her husbands Lexus. I no longer trusted her pleading of poverty. I guess they keep their money separate so she drove an old car and couldn't "afford" the kids activities, but he lives in luxury. That did not constitute reduced preschool tuition or constant pleas for help, that simply meant they needed to re-visit their budgeting.

You should not contribute to their DC's sports equipment! She needs to pay you back what she owes you!!!

Stay STRONG!!!

[oneplustwo]

That's a great idea, but I'd tell her very sweetly that she could just pay me back the $100 she owes from MIL's birthday gift and put the $50 she owes from the Christmas present towards the football expenses.

Love this! OP, this would be a great reply.