I’m starting college next week and we went to Costco to buy a laptop. I went for the cheaper one (360$) because I ain’t rich, but it was really not good quality. My grandma proposed me to pitch 400$ for a better one, so I took the second cheaper one at 650$ and I bought Microsoft Word for 150$ so in total it costed 920$. She saw the price and still proposed to pay 400$ on it.
But now that we are back home she doesn’t remember how much she offered me and I feel bad telling her it was 400$ because it’s a lot of money
But in the other hand I paid 920$ and its way out of my budget
EDIT: We talked about it, I’ve been super gentle and it went great! She will pay 320$ on it so I only have to pay 600$. It’s a little over my budget but I have now a great laptop that could last me at least 6 years! Thank you for your advices 🙂
6 comments
Say: “Grandma, I think you mentioned $400, but if you’re not comfortable with that amount, any amount would be appreciated.”
Back home? So this was today or yesterday, so you can return it in case she doesn’t pay? If so, “Hey grandma, you offered to help by paying $400 of the computer cost. Can you get that for me today? If not, I need to return the computer today because I can’t afford it with out that extra help from you.”
So you already paid for it without her money? If so, let’s draw the clear lines between the options. You could remind her how much it is and let her know you’ve paid and can’t afford it. While this might put her in an uncomfortable position for a moment, I’m not sure we can call this “rude”. The other option is to eat it but don’t trust her again with promises of money. In either case, don’t act upon the promise of other people’s money again. Just bad policy in general going forward (not blaming you for past decisions including this one)
Tell her gently, be prepared to accept no. My guess is she just innocently forgot. Old people sometimes do that.
Also be sure she can afford to do it, if she can by all means ask nicely
Unrelated, but as a low income college student, you can apply for SNAP to help out with food.
Love her up. My Mom’s Alzheimers began in her 70s, She didn’t know who any of us were in her 80s. Thank your Grandma everyday for each dollar. Make sure she can still eat.