The phone call last night with sister was wide ranging. We compared notes on how we were each handling our money.

Sister - putting in new windows in the house, new furnace, 3 small oriental rugs, loan to her partner's brother (paid back), one IRA. Happy that she got 800$ in interest.

Me - bed, IRAs in 2005, 2006, Roth IRA in 2007, $2500 in stock, loan to DH (paid back), $20,000 to Vanguard in a taxable account (soon to be another $20,000), MP3 player. Happy that I got $1,900 in interest and dividends, and $3,900 in paper profits.

I'm going to have to keep my yap shut though. I think that sister bought okay stuff, but she needs a little patience. Wait until she gets everything and then see.