Graduation gift for brother-in-law

Dear Limo Princess,
My brother in law is graduating from Medical School. He and my wife dont have the greatest relationship, he is always mean to her, calling her stupid and whatnot (not very mature of a med school graduate). Nevertheless, my mother-in-law wants us to give him $500 and I think that is way too much, especially to someone that would show no appreciation for it. Mike

Dear Mike,
Many doctors are arrogant asses, but this doesn't seem to keep them from being good doctors. I admire and commend your defense of your wife and sympathize with you for having a jerk for a brother-in-law.That being said, it is your Mother-in-law's money and her decision so she has every right to give him whatever amount she wants for his med school graduation. You, however, can enjoy the knowledge that he is probably $250,000.00 in debt with student loans and will have to work like a dog for the next 3-5 years (48 hour shifts) with his internship and residency and will be AT LEAST 300K in the hole when he is finally finished training. Let him have the $500--believe me he needs it, and the road ahead of him is rocky--perhaps it will teach him to be a decent person too.
Blessings, Limo Princess