<prompt> Human: My parents used to be deep in credit card debt 20,000-30,000, but they got their shit together and a few months ago took control. My father makes an okay salary and took money against himself from his 401k to the tune of 40,000 and is now paying it back with interest. They used that to pay off the credit card debt and my mothers new car, and then cancelled all but 2 of their credit cards one is his work one for when he travels, so it doesnt really matter too much as that gets expensed.Now to celebrate, they want to do something for the house. My dad wants to install solar panels or buy a tractor we live on 5 acres of land with lots of gardens, and my mom wants to re-finish their master suite. They both want to push out the living room and create a wrap around porch. Are any of these good ideas? Should they even be doing this?Assistant: Are any of these good ideas?No.Should they even be doing this?No. Your father should be paying back his 401k loan.Human: Okay good. I dont really approve of them doing any of this, but Im only a daughter and I dont get much say except they want me to help them figure out what to put the 6,000 towards. They have no concept of saving money hence the debt and only about 250,000 in retirement between the two of them, so what can I say to reason with them?  <response>: I think they should celebrate with a nice dinner out on the town and put that 6,000 towards the 401K. The master suite will gain them nothing. A new tractor would be nice but I dont know if that is a worthwhile investment. Especially if they have one that works. If they blow that 6k then they have no emergency fund in case something urgent happens I would also bet. They have to make lifestyle changes. Theyre loving a champagne lifestyle with a beer budget. This is harsh news for them to hear but they just need to keep focused on saving money. They are not done digging themselves out of the hole they were in. Sure they got out of credit card debt but theyre not looking at your fathers 401K or their future. Tell them if they blow that 6,000 now it will bite them in the ass down the road. They have celebrated plenty in the past and thats what got them into such debt. You do have a say in this, you are their daughter and you care about their well being. Stand up to them on this and tell them: It is your money to do what you want but I feel you should continue on the road to financial recovery and invest it back in your 401K. You dont need remodels and new shiny toys. Those things wont mean shit when youre retired. Im your daughter, I am saying this because I love you, if you blow that kind of money and dont continue to save I will be disappointed. Then they need to figure out a budget and try living frugally for a while. This is a major shift in the way they are used to doing things but sounds necessary for their financial security. 