So, I (19F) recently received about £6,000 from my grandfather after he passed. He was the only grandparent I was close to, and he left that money to me specifically, in writing. I know It’s not some huge life-changing amount, but it’s a lot to me.

I’ve been working part-time since I was about 16, saving for rent, moving out, and maybe going to college or doing a course. This inheritance gave me some breathing room, I was really grateful. Here’s the issue: my cousin (24F) found out about it. She’s been financially struggling for a while. She’s in a considerably large amount of debt, doesn’t have a stable job, and moved back in with her mom. She asked me straight-up if I could “spare £1,000” to help her with bills and food.

But I know her history. She dropped out of college twice, spent her student loan on designer bags and partying, and constantly complains about being broke while still going out to dinner and posting shopping hauls online.

I said no, as kindly as I could. I told her I need to be careful with money too, and this inheritance was meant to help me get ahead. She immediately passive-aggressive, calling me selfish and saying I “don’t understand what it’s like to struggle”.

Now, my phone’s blowing up. My aunt is texting me guilt-tripping stuff like, “Your cousin is family and she’s starving,” and “What would Grandpa think?” (He’d absolutely be on my side, by the way. he hated how she handled money.)

My mom supports me, but even she said, “Maybe you could’ve given her something small just to keep the peace.”

So now I feel torn. I don’t want to be heartless, but I also feel like giving her money would just enable her again. AITA?