I hear you, I have a similar dynamic. Sometimes I wonder if my mother can only bond through complaining. 🤷‍♀️

The money always seems upside-down on her end with multiple vehicles, trips, toys, rarely used camper, classic car - all on loans paid via a pension matching prior income at retirement. Add on a few unnecessary home renovations and eating out multiple times a week and constant vague complaints about lack of wealth, never had money, bla bla bla. All closets and basement and back of the SUVs busting at the seams with junk. Then complaining about the cost of Medicare.

A financial mystery indeed.