Greetings, srousos, and welcome. You wrote in part:

I'm looking for some really good resources to help her understand:
1. Spending, and the consequences.
2. Keeping track of your own money; where does it all go?
3. Managing money in retirement.

I don't think she's ready for a seminar on how to invest, b/c its already past that stage. Her lump sum sits in some account (may be equity; and may have recently taken a beating). I plan to review her account with her broker (she WILL be present), but in case it's frightfully low, given her age of roughly 70, I'm afraid to recommend anything but let it ride. One of the big questions will be is what percentage is equity, what percentage is bonds, and what percentage is being withdrawn.

BUT - even if she's told the withdrawals are too much, things won't change if her spending habits don't change -- it'll just be a larger withdrawal down to road to cover built-up expenses that she has no idea where they came from.

There are other areas in the Personal Finance section of TMF that may help. See:

Getting Out of Debt at http://www.fool.com/credit/credit.htm?ref=PFinAg

Family Finances at http://www.fool.com/familyfool/familyfool.htm?ref=PFinAg

They can help get the point across to someone who's willing to listen. Based on what you said, though, that will be your problem. Given her age, that may be very difficult indeed to change.

I wish you and your spouse luck as you struggle through this issue with your M-I-L. It won't be an easy task.

Regards..Pixy