Dear Blake,
My aunt and uncle from another state still send me a birthday check every year for my birthday, which is generous and thoughtful of them. While the sum is not large, I feel it is not necessary, and it makes me uncomfortable. I’m in my late 20s now and have a good job with a good income. How do I politely tell them that while I appreciate their kindness, it is not necessary to send their adult niece a check every year? I’m not particularly close with them and am afraid of offending.
Signed, Virginia,
From Kansas City, Kansas
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Dear Virginia,
I think it’s nice of your aunt and uncle to remember you and your birthday. And because it’s not a large sum of money, you not should feel guilty about telling those cheapskates to refrain. So here are some suggestions to get them to stop. As your birthday approaches each year, instead of waiting for them to send you a check, send them some of your bills, like your rent/mortgage, all of your utilities, and car insurance. And threaten to disown them if they pay them late because it might have a negative affect on your credit score. Or this. Let them think you are using the money to buy drugs, by requesting an extra few dollars so you can buy a new crackpipe, explaining that your old one is worn out. How about adding a couple of zeros to the amount you receive from them. If you cash it, they’ll never send you a dime again. If it bounces, they’ll never send you a dime again. But on the other hand, they are family, and you should be sensitive to their compassion. So if it makes them happy to send you their gift, and you don’t want the money, the only reasonable thing for you to do is to sign the check over to me. I hope this helps (me).
Blake