We Gave My Family a Generous Gift. Now My Brother and Sister Look at Me With Dollar Signs in Their Eyes.

"My husband and I have been together since university and married seven years. We had a business windfall last year, and we chose to spend some of it on my family. We took everyone in my family on an overseas trip, all expenses paid. And when my sister had her first baby, we were able to gift her $10,000 towards establishing a college fund."

"While business is fine now, we are not even close to having another record-breaking year. We have also had more family expenses this year on my husband's side, as my in-laws have had health issues and my brother-in-law has needed support as well. We are able to send money to assist his family because of the difference in the cost of living in their country, and there is a cultural expectation of that as well."

"Well, my sister is pregnant again and my brother will be graduating university. Both have not stopped dropping "hints" about what they expect out of us when it comes to their celebrations. My brother "joked" that he wants a sports car, but will accept a sedan, and my sister said that I need to "step up" to do better than last year and that her "kids are counting on it.""

"They dismiss me when I talk about our troubles. My sister made the most tone-deaf and obnoxious statement at my parents' anniversary party. She said that we aren't having kids so what are we going to do with all that money? This was after a discussion of the rising cost of living. Her obvious insight was the money my husband and I make belong to her offspring."

A married couple used a business windfall last year to fund an overseas trip for the wife's family and to gift $10,000 toward a niece's college fund. Current business results are weaker and the couple faces increased expenses supporting the husband’s family because of health issues and lower cost of living in their country. The wife's sister and brother now pressure the couple for further gifts and celebrations, dismissing the couple's financial concerns and implying entitlement to the couple’s money. The couple’s disagreement over confronting family demands has created tension at home.

Read at Slate Magazine