Spending the Kids' Inheritance? I'm Leaving Them Something Better

The first time I heard the term "SKI tribe", I thought it referred to skiing; but it actually stands for "Spending the Kids' Inheritance." At first glance it may seem selfish, but in reality it contains gentle and mature wisdom: the parent generation chooses to live well for themselves for once in their remaining years.

Our generation is often called the "club sandwich generation": parents above, children below, and even grandchildren. After years of rushing about for family and work, when responsibilities are gradually unloaded, I can finally honestly ask myself: "What about me? Besides these roles, who am I as a person?" This opened the door to the second half of my life.

Not "Leaving Nothing," but "Leaving Something Better"

Many people think inheritance is tangible movable and immovable property, but what we leave to the next generation can also be living out our own wonderful life. After retirement, I no longer just get by day to day, but choose to live earnestly, taking care of physical, mental, and spiritual health, and maintaining relationships with God, others, and myself. I go to the gym and learn tea ceremony. In the early retirement years when I have physical strength and am full of vitality—the Go-Go Years—I participated in the Spanish pilgrimage, danced to music, went to the Arctic Circle to photograph the aurora, served in remote areas, and also traveled and served alongside my children. While I still have the strength, I am unwilling to settle for the status quo, but rather live out passion and set an example. These journeys are a restart of the soul and also leave beautiful memories for myself and my children. A friend jokingly asked: "Are you trying to spend all your inheritance?" I answered with a smile: "Not leaving regrets is more important!"

These are not impulsive purchases, but choices made after careful consideration: valuing quality of life and lifestyle, no longer being blindly frugal; appropriately helping children while alive is more practical than leaving assets after death. Moreover, I believe the best inheritance is values lived out, such as:

• The courage to live independently: If I live well, my children will know they can too;
• The pursuit of meaning and happiness: shifting from "living for the family" to "living out yourself";
• The expansion of experience and horizons: traveling, learning, giving back to society.

By enriching myself and developing my gifts, I become a channel of God's blessings. I aspire to no longer focus only on work or family, but to see and participate in God's expansive kingdom. This has become my direction and mission.

Eternal Inheritance in Faith

In 1 Peter chapter 1 it says: "an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you." I deeply believe that being able to share with my children the eternal inheritance in Christ is a blessing far better than tangible material possessions.

For me, faith inheritance lies in daily life:

‧Building an intimate relationship with God: daily devotions, worship, and prayer, letting the heart be secure in God;
‧Exercising gifts and calling: serving faithfully in church, family, and workplace;
‧Living out peace and joy: rediscovering oneself in Scripture, walking with the Lord in daily life;

And also in living it out:

‧Dedicating time: participating in church care ministry, visiting the elderly and others in need;
‧Financial support: sponsoring seminary students, supporting mission organizations;
‧Sharing wisdom: serving as a counselor, mentoring the younger generation;
‧Empathy and companionship: stepping into people's lives, journeying with them without seeking repayment;

The decision to embrace SKI indeed comes with struggles such as traditional beliefs and concerns about children's futures, and also requires communicating the concept with children early on. But I sincerely hope to leave them the example of living a wonderful life, so that my children can also live wonderfully and become examples for their own children. I deeply believe that living wonderfully is not about pleasure, but about living an abundant life with what God has given, in order to respond to the Lord who first loved us.

What I hope my children will remember and receive is not how much wealth we leave behind, but to cherish every moment and be filled with passion and grace for life—such a life is more inspiring than any tangible movable or immovable property, and can better be passed down from generation to generation.

Annie, retired traveler and freelance writer.
Currently a partner and volunteer at Boston Angel Fund.
Aspiring to manage finances with wisdom and live wonderfully with faith in the second half of life.