I'm in the happy position of being about to inherit a significant amount of money, and realising I don't really need or want anything more. I am recently widowed and the house and garden are, if anything, too big for one person. I hope to be able to stay here so that my family can continue to enjoy visiting me. I can afford to run a car and to have nice holidays, and I really don't want any more stuff beyond the usual upgrading of clothes and shoes (ah, shoes! I do like to spend money on decent, comfortable shoes). I need to make sure I have enough in the budget to pay people to help me with the garden and the DIY - I suppose I mean don't DIY, GAMI (get a man in) instead. I want to be able to travel longer distances by train and taxi to visit friends and family without worrying about the cost.
But basically, I can do all the above from my current income and savings (yes, I am very lucky) so when the inheritance comes, I am going to share it with the family, as the grandkids are in or approaching their teens and there will be a lot of expense ahead.
I have always been thrifty (typical Scot, my husband always said) but since becoming widowed, I am realising that I can't take my money with me, and might as well spread it around a bit and enjoy it myself too. Plenty of little treats (pub lunches out with friends, a glass of wine with my meals, and maybe just another visit to the shoe shop - did I mention shoes?) and I'm content.