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Letter To My Children (Long)

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Author Previous TopicReplies: 7 / Views: 1,694Next Topic  
Valued Member
CitizenPatriot's Avatar
United States
158 Posts
 Posted 08/31/2011  12:08 pm Show Profile   Bookmark this topic Add CitizenPatriot to your friends list Get a Link to this Message Number of Subscribers
Greetings, All ! What follows is the text of a letter I've just composed to my grown children (and our daughter-in-law).

I know that it may seem unusual for most families to discuss death & dying & inheritances issues, but our family does it a bit.......differently. We believe that knowledge is power, and that no good can come from secrecy. These are lessons gleaned from experience, in which a family can openly discuss inheritance issues in order implement financial planning strategies that encompass all the assets our children might expect. Toward that end, I have composed a letter to our children that explains my reasons for collecting Morgan silver dollars - I want them to know what their future holds once I "pass on".

Just thought I'd put this out there for the forum's consumption, and (hopefully) spur some to consider their own "legacy". Thoughts and comments welcomed and appreciated..... please read on.


Quote:
To Jason, Justin and Jennifer,


When I first learned that I would be a grandfather, my outlook on life was gradually transformed. I began to wonder what kind of "legacy" I might leave behind for you and our grandchildren. This letter is an attempt to document and explain the reasoning behind my decision.

As you know, my own father will leave me a sizeable financial windfall, which I hope to use and nurture so that we might live our lives comfortably into retirement. With careful planning and execution we should be able to pass on some of these assets in the form of a family trust for you all to enjoy (more about that later). Even so, I wanted to do something a bit different -- I've decided to leave you with what can only be described as real "treasure".

Our country is going through some difficult financial times, to say the least. The current economy is in shambles, even worse than when Jimmy Carter was President. To make matters worse, Congress -- both Democrats and Republicans -- have created so much debt that it can never be repaid, even as the Federal Reserve prints billions upon billions of Federal Reserve Notes to create an illusion of wealth. The almighty American dollar is in real danger of becoming worthless paper, and my fear is that your generation will be saddled with a yoke of debt that will follow you into your own "sunset years".

Since I cannot currently afford to buy physical gold at current prices, I began to ponder the alternatives and decided to invest in silver -- real silver. But the cost of silver can fluctuate greatly in the free market. If I bought one ounce silver bars, they might be worth less than what I invested once they are finally passed into your possession. There had to be a better way, and I believe I've found it -- Morgan silver dollars.

With that in mind, I will embark on a new journey -- collecting Morgan silver dollars. Why, you ask ? The Morgan silver dollar is, first and foremost, comprised of 90% silver and 10% copper, and is very likely the most widely collected American coin in existence. Tens of millions were produced, and are still available on the open market in varying grades. The key to collecting is to acquire the highest quality dollars that have been professionally "graded" and certified as to their authenticity. This collection will become part of the Family Trust, an "asset" that will flow into your possession after we have passed. Although I have no intention of dying anytime soon, I want you all to be aware of these efforts to build my own form of "heritage", one that should provide a bit of a financial cushion as the years go by.

I have no way of knowing how our monetary system may evolve in the coming years, but I can foresee it becoming some sort of digital "chits" traded in cyberspace, or some other yet-to-be conceived system of trade not based upon silver or gold. If that vision holds true, the intrinsic value of this collection of Morgan silver dollars will, no doubt, increase substantially.

Included with each copy of this letter is a real Morgan silver dollar in protective packaging, which is yours to keep. They've been cleaned and shined, so they are less collectible but still represent a full ounce of "real" money from an era that is steeped in history. I hope that you will keep these dollars with this letter as a reminder of our country's greatness and my hope for a better life for all of you. This will be my "legacy" to you -- a bit of real "treasure" that will grow in value over the years. Your Morgan silver dollar should be handled with care, preferably with gloves (or by the edges) to prevent soiling the surface.

I will collect as many Morgan silver dollars as time and finances allow, which will be housed in professional-grade albums, along with a record of each coin's grade and price paid at purchase. This information will prove invaluable to document the collection's value in the future.

So there you have it ! Enjoy your silver dollar, but keep it safe -- you are holding a piece of American history, which should increase in value as the years pass. You are holding your future in your hands, which is as it should be.




Love,

Dad
Edited by CitizenPatriot
08/31/2011 1:14 pm
Valued Member
bjones's Avatar
United States
304 Posts
 Posted 08/31/2011  12:54 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add bjones to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
If nothing else, it is admirable the way you are thinking ahead. I recently lost my father to heart disease and have two very young children of my own. This has put me in a place, over the last couple months, of pondering many things. Things such as legacy, inheritance, generations, family bonds, etc. Thank you so much for sharing this with our community here.
Valued Member
CitizenPatriot's Avatar
United States
158 Posts
 Posted 08/31/2011  1:13 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add CitizenPatriot to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
bjones : Sorry for the loss of your father. My own is 89 and in frail health, but his mind is quite sharp (thank God !). I'm glad my post has made you "ponder" - that was my original intent. My advice, for what it's worth - don't wait to talk to your family about death and dying and inheritance "stuff". Doing so while you have the ability to do so makes everything so much easier on everyone.

My own brother and I know exactly what to expect when my dad passes, and agreements are in place as to how we will divide those assets of the Family Trust that are not specified on paper in legalese. Fortunately, my brother and I share a strong bond and get along very well, probably because we were raised in an environment that encourages these discussions.

Best of luck to you.
Edited by CitizenPatriot
08/31/2011 1:14 pm
Bedrock of the Community
Conder101's Avatar
United States
17884 Posts
 Posted 09/01/2011  10:54 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Conder101 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
One small comment.


Quote:
They've been cleaned and shined, so they are less collectible but still represent a full ounce of "real" money from an era that is steeped in history.

They are not one full ounce.
Valued Member
CitizenPatriot's Avatar
United States
158 Posts
 Posted 09/01/2011  4:40 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add CitizenPatriot to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Well, for purposes of this letter it is "close enough". Your point is well taken, though - thanks.
Pillar of the Community
macmercury's Avatar
United States
5832 Posts
 Posted 09/01/2011  5:01 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add macmercury to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I was thinking about the same on how to approach my inheritance to my children down the road, its never too early thanks for the sharing your though.
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Coinstar's Avatar
United States
1510 Posts
 Posted 09/01/2011  6:11 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Coinstar to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
My daughter is 10 and when she went to Carson City NV on a tour she was the only one to answer in her class when they showed them a bunch of silver dollars the answer-- "Thats a Morgan."

she knows alot about coins..
Retired USAF 1983-2003
Edited by Coinstar
09/01/2011 6:11 pm
Valued Member
CitizenPatriot's Avatar
United States
158 Posts
 Posted 09/01/2011  7:17 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add CitizenPatriot to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I'm glad my little letter has generated some thought processes. My parents went through the whole "veil of secrecy" thing with my grandparents estate, which quickly turned into a quagmire. From then on, they vowed not to let that happen to them, and my brother & I have been "in the loop" ever since.

With a Family Trust in place, we know exactly what to expect and will take over the assets of the Trust as soon as my dad passes. His main concern - "No Bickering" over "stuff". With that in mind, my brother and I hopped on our mountain bikes for a leisurely ride while we discussed all the details of his estate. Everything was settled between us up front, and we're both in agreement on how to deal with certain assets.

For example, my dad's house : my brother said, "I already have a nice house that's paid for. If you want Dad's house, it's yours." I agreed, so I'll get the house.

Furnishings : there are certain items (mostly furniture and such) that I don't care to keep after Dad dies. I asked my brother if he wanted to sell off the unwanted stuff and split the proceeds. He agreed, so that's how we'll handle that. And so it goes.

The point is this - don't let some stranger (lawyer) decide who will get your collection after you die. Take the steps needed to protect your collections and insure that your heirs can enjoy the fruits of your labors.
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