Money for young widow

[Anonymous]

A cousin of mine, 32, died suddenly a few days ago. It is heartbreaking. He's left a 29 year old widow and a one year old. We live abroad and so can't be with them. The community had set up a donation fund for the wife. How much would you send?

[Anonymous]

How much can you afford? I would probably send $100 now and send gift cards for groceries, target, walmart or clothing for the baby on an as needed basis.

[Anonymous]

So sorry for your loss. You are a kind and thoughtful person. I would igve as much as I could comfortably afford. If the community is setting up a collection her immediate needs will likely be met. Is there a way you can set aside some amount for the future? Savings bond or the like?

You don't say much about her situation or yours as the answer may change mine. If she is left in poverty then definately send money now (could you swing a grand?). However if she has some savings or there is a pension to help in addition to the neighborhood fund I would lean toward helping to meet future needs.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I'd say a grand if you could. $100 is nice. Then whatever you can later. Sorry to read about this.

[Anonymous]

$1,000 if you can.

[Anonymous]

He didn't have life insurance?

Send what you can afford.

[Anonymous]

200

[Anonymous]

Depends on how much you can afford. I would give a few grand.

[Anonymous]

Whatever you can comfortably afford. I hope there is life insurance.

[Anonymous]

OP here. They live in an arts commune. This is sort of good in the sense that they have v few material needs and they have a huge community to feed them etc. but they don't live a traditional life so I would assume they don't have life or health insurance. He was a glass blower. I would love to send $1000....but I think I'm going to do 100 now and 100 In a fee months. It's really shocking how people just....die. At any moment. Anyways thanks guys for your advice.

[Anonymous]

If you can afford it a few grand at least. If not what ever you can afford.

[Anonymous]

Have the widow contact Matt Logelin - he has an organization dedicated to this.

[Anonymous]

Sacrifice to help them. Help her pay rent for a few months.

[Anonymous]

Be sure that she visits Social Security to see if she and her child are eligible for survivor benefits.

[Anonymous]

You might do $100 or so now and wait to see if her living situation in the arts commune changes now that her husband has died. At that point you might make a larger gift to help her out with her needs as they are defined. Besides getting the survivor benefit from Social Security, I would suggest she go to the local Department of Social Services to sign her baby up for Medicaid health insurance so that he at least is covered, and she very well might qualify herself. Also, I would speak to her parents or other close relative to be sure that she gets a will in place with a trust and/or guardian(s) appointed for her child so that the baby is protected should anything happen to her. Sad when it happens so young and so suddenly.