My mother is spending all her money on cigarettes. How do I get rid of the guilt when my mother refuses to take care of herself?

If she has COPD, make sure her doctor knows how much she is smoking. Also, her apartment manager should know. She is placing other residents at risk with her second hand smoke or danger of fire risk should she accidentally cause a fire. If she is of sound mind and doesn’t pay her bills let her suffer the consequences. She doesn’t care much for herself if she is continuing to smoke with COPD.

don't give her money - I had to cut off my mom and amazingly - she found a way to pay for food and rent - your mom might have some stress if she doesn't have money for rent - but she'll figure it out. She is an adult.

Well I understand why you’re angry. She has taken advantage of you and your family. She is demanding that you continue to be taken advantage of by giving her money. Did she smoke when she lived with you? What did she live for then? What was her attitude towards your family while she stayed with you?

OK. You’ve made a decision NOT to give her anymore money. She’s blown her savings you surmise, mostly on cigarettes. How much money did she have? It sounds like she has been spending it on other things. The math doesn’t add up to me.

BUT has she been checked out for dementia or compromised mental functioning. Has she always been irresponsible with money? Because not being able to handle money is one of the first signs of dementia.
My former business woman mom couldn’t write a check (she couldn’t remember how). THAT told me it was time for her to get tested properly in a geri psych unit in a hospital. Medicaire paid for it.

If the results for your mom are what I think they’ll be, she’s going to have to go to assisted living at least. She can’t care for herself obviously.

The last thing I’d do is report her. It might cause her to get kicked off the waiting list. Hopefully she’s in the system now and can be moved to a different level of care.

But I agree, don’t give her money because you and your sisters have to pay your own bills! Tell your mom she has compromised her living situation and it’s against the rules to smoke (she probably signed a document saying she wouldn’t!). Ask her what would she live for then, because she’s not coming back to your house to live. Then stick to your guns! You’ve already gone beyond the call of duty with her!!!

Get control of her bank account, if she has dementia that will be easier. Show mom that she’s got consequences to pay.

1. Stop smoking

But guilt? No. Is mom a narcissist?

Humm...definitely do not let your mother become homeless. The first post is judgmental and compassionless. Stop feeling guilty, you’ve nothing to feel guilty about!

Here we go again.

Thank you to the moderators for cleaning up the thread. HolidayEnd, please know my post was not directed at you. The post in question has been removed.

My mom lives with us and blows her money on things she does not need. Has 15 credit cards and buys anything she sees, then cries she might not have her money for me. She pays electric and water bill for our house so it’s way less than any rent she could ever find. I won’t give her any money or cover her expenses for her. I just say that I’m strapped and she better come up with her bill money. She always does. I think if you don’t help her; she will figure it out to avoid losing her home. And all this shopping is what my mom cares about over people. It’s more of a mental problem than anything. Definitely get her checked mentally, but don’t burn any bridges with her or for her.

Never "enable" an addict - be that person you mother or a stranger. If she choose to spend her money on cigarettes, that is her choice. She is taking advantage of you. Why should you feel "guilty" about an addict mother, when it is her choice?

Surely your mother could at least cut down on her smoking! Such an excessive amount of her money to be literally burned up! It is difficult to quit a lifelong addiction, but perhaps could be modified. Would she consider trying a sort of "step down" program? Maybe if you told her she didn't have to totally give it up it would be easier. Tell her she could" look forward " to her designated smoking times instead of mindlessly lighting up!

It's a tough situation and no mistake.

She's an adult. Unless there is dementia, she has the right to make her own decisions no matter how bad the rest of the family (you, maybe, or maybe 'everyone) thinks they are.

Even without dementia, a surprising number of patients with COPD continue to smoke. Here in hospice we hear various 'reasons' for that, including 'it's the only time I can feel my lungs.' (!) Sometimes a patient who needs oxygen will continue to smoke, even though it's dangerous -- turning off the oxygen, changing their clothing (because the oxygen overflow from their nasal canulla clings to their clothes), going outdoors to smoke, as much as 20-30 times a day!

If she agreed not to smoke in the apartment and does it anyway ... you could tell management, which might get her fined (more money she doesn't have) or evicted (and then what?). You could ask her to quit, but it sounds like she's already made that decision.

As to 'probably more than she and spouse had' ... well, probably not. If all she has is her Social Security, she is certainly getting less than when there were two of them, assuming the spouse was also of SS age. The 'widow's benefit' is about half the 'worker's benefit, and she can EITHER collect that OR the benefit she earned on her own earnings -- but not both.

You can't fix this. By all means let yourself off the hook.

Okay, look at this from the MOM's point of view. She is lost, lonely and knows there is something massively wrong with her. She knows when her mind is affected and it sounds as though it is and a dementia diagnosis is not far off. She is afraid, has no idea what is wrong. She gets comfort from smoking. It may be illusionary but it seems to calm and steady her. She needs that. And it is there, right in her pocket. Does it matter that it is against the rules? It is all she has. How do I think this is the mindset of the Mom? I am a caretaker, I have COPD, I am 84, and I smoke. I know better. I also have very limited funds. And I know it is an addiction.

Okay, now there are ways of trying to help her. And she needs help, not anger and retaliation. Is there one person she trusts absolutely? Her doctor, a clergy person? They can talk with her. If she needs to be in a facility she will be unable to buy the cigarettes and perforce will stop. She won't stop missing the comfort factor though. There are fake cigarettes (remember the candy cigarettes we had as kids?) that feel real in the mouth. There is chewing gum. And the doctor can prescribe a patch that does help. There are meds specifically for this but they can give dire side effects that I could not deal with. IT IS NOT A MATTER OF WILL POWER. A smoker can know, can understand the consequences, and still continue to light up. WE, for whatever our needs, need that tiny bit of comfort that is unexplainable to a non-smoker more than anything else. And think about it -- this is one of the few acts still within our control. We choose it. Wrongly, of course, but we do.

She does not continue because of spite, or to make you angry, or to waste money. She cannot give up the few moments of comfort because it really is all she has. Even if you do not express it, she feels your anger and disapproval. She could well feel completely alone and unloved. I don't mean to justify or approve of this, by the way. I don't. I'd quit in an eye blink if I could. I just want to show that it might be possible to come at this from another perspective.

You and your siblings needs to have a come to Jesus meeting with your mother. She needs to turn over her bank account to one of you to handle her finances before it is all gone. She sounds lonely. With 5 of you why don't you take turns letting her stay at your homes for a few days every few weeks or on weekends. Spending time with her grandkids might get her out of her funk. If she has older grandkids, see if they will go visit her more often and spend time with her. Show her she has a reason to live.  You also need to get her involved in some activity. See if your area has some senior centers or senior groups where she can mingle and do some projects. Tell her you and your sisters are not going to support her smoking habit anymore and tell anyone who is buying the cigarettes for her to stop. Explain that if she is caught smoking in the apartment she may be kicked out. Ask her doctor about getting her the patch or something else to help with the smoking withdrawals. You and your sisters need to stand up to her and put your foot down but you also need to make sure she understands it is all in love and you want her around to enjoy her grandkids. 

I see Gens point but I lived with a chain smoker growing up. I find smokers are self-centered. In my case anyway. Dad burned more holes in stuff and it was always "oh well". Not sure why you would feel guilty, concerned, yes. You had nothing to do with Moms smoking. Its not your fault she has COPD. Guilt because you know you will have to cut her off, that I understand. I don't think Mom is going to stop smoking. So, work on getting her weaned down. Maybe a sit down with Mom and siblings. Explain that this apt is it. First, she is breaking the law smoking in a public building. If its HUD subsidized than its a government building. Total up her bills, include food and personal items. Tell her what is left over is her "smokes" money. She can't spend more than that. Then explain that you and siblings refuse to support her smoking habit. So, if she is short on paying her bills because she chooses to smoke that will be her problem. If she feels the need to smoke she must go off grounds. (See if the place has a designated area) Make it clear, you will not be taking her in because this is something she needs to deal with. If she can't guit, then cut back.

I don't think you will need to tell the landlord she is smoking in her apt. A resident will probably do that for you. I find that I am very sensitive to smoke. So if I lived in an apt, I could probably smell smoke if it was right next door.

Do you go to the doctor with Mom? If you do or don't, it wouldn't hurt to give him a note telling him Mom continues to smoke and how much. You can't help those who don't help themselves.

Actually quitting smoking very well can be done with will power. Not for everyone, but there are many it can. My dad did when we came home from vacation and a very good friend (and smoker) had died of cancer. And I have known many others who have also. This society that we live in has become all about everyone needs help for this and that, enforcing this belief that we can do nothing on our own, that we need help for everything.... what happened to our previous generations who had the attitude and strength of doing what needs to be done. We have to fix ourselves.... we canNOT fix others. I know this from experience. Think of the nike slogan .... JUST DO IT.

Please know that I am NOT talking about help with caregiving. Caregiving needs a mountain of help!

You should not feel guilty that you will not buy her cigarettes, you are absolutely right about paying for other items does contribute to the cigarettes.

I am a former smoker and quitting was one of the hardest things I've ever done. It is an addiction that stimulates serotonin and that makes it a monster to give up, everything feels bigger and harder because your chemicals are all screwed up from it. I know that if you have never battled this demon, it is really impossible to understand how a lung full of stinking smoke can feel like a hug, it's the chemical reaction.

I have a feeling that your mom doesn't know how to say what is real, so she says it all she has to live for, come on, everyone knows it's a killer. Why do you think smokers say they are going to have a cancer stick.

As for people that go straight for the jugular about this situation, they should pray they never have any problems that require understanding and compassion. To have an old woman made homeless, shame.

Your mom, unless she has proven otherwise, is not smoking to hurt her family, she is old, widowed most likely scared and probably a little lonely and lost without her spouse.

Do not contribute to the addiction but please don't let it define your love for her. If she really wants to smoke she will need to figure out how to financially pull it off. Lovingly tell her that, she will probably get mad, seems that generation doesn't want to take responsibility for their choices. Let her be mad, tell her you love her, even though she thinks she's a chimney ;), hey, we all have our stuff.

Best of luck with her taking responsibility for her, its amazing how people can step up when they have to.

You may want to try to introduce her to vaping instead of smoking. It’s a fantastic way to quit which is not easy. I got my 80 year old Mom into vaping and she never looked back. She could breathe again and was richer and healthier for it and I didn’t have to worry about her burning down the house.

Get control of the money. Cut her off.

If you give money to an addict, the first thing they will use it on is supporting their habit.

Hi Everyone,
Sorry everyone, this is probably going to be a long post so I want to apologize ahead of time. Well I hope I don't get myself barred from posting, but I guess you could say I can give some insight from the other side of the fence. 1golflady, you do not say how old your Mom is. I am 66 and will be 67 in September.

Yes smoking is a serious concern. I am a smoker and have been for 57 years. When I started smoking it was considered fashionable and everybody was doing it. Kids would go out behind the barn or the garage and smoke or as they got older smoke when they were not at home. There wasn't the stigma, or the knowledge of the dangers of smoking that there are now days. Both my parents smoked and as I and my brother got older we both smoked. My Mom, being that she was a smoker did not know that I smoked until I was 16 when she asked me and I told her yes. The only thing she said? If you are going to smoke please don't hide it and don't smoke when you are not at home. We promptly went in fixed a cup of coffee and smoked a cigarette with our coffee. My Mom smoked until the day she passed away.

Sorry, just wanted to give some history. Even as a smoker I am not condoning it and have been trying to quit. I once heard a doctor say that quitting smoking is harder for people that getting off of heroin. It gets you physically and mentally. And trust me the mental is 10 times worse than the physical. I know for me it is a stress reliever, keeps me from stress eating and is relaxing. Twenty-seven years ago my honey and I walked away from drinking and never looked back, but cigarettes are something we have not been able to quit. We have tried Chantix..my honey had weird dreams and took walks while still asleep. Me...I was allergic to it and broke out from head to foot with what looked like measles. (I promptly quit the Chantix). My brother was able to quit using Chantix. We smoke only in certain areas of our home and never in bed or in the bedroom.

Cigarettes are expensive (I can remember when they were 25 cents a pack). Now we roll our own. We have a roller, buy bulk tobacco and tubes, and they turn out just like store bought but it only costs us around 80.00 a month total instead of 75-150.00 a week per person that it would cost if we bought the cigarettes at the store. This is the way that we have overcome the high cost. Plus we smoke less as I roll a set amount of cigarettes and when that is gone that is it for the day. And there are some days when I don't want to roll so I smoke even less. I don't have the physical dependence anymore and have proven that to myself. It is overcoming the mental side of it. I have gone from over 2 packs a day down less than 1. It is the only vice that I have left, but am still working to quit. I can understand in ways where your Mom is coming from 1golflady. This is her "security blanket"..her comfort through all that is happening in her life. I can't speak for all smokers but I guess you could say it is an old friend. COPD is a horrible thing. I was diagnosed with it 35 years ago. I am one of the lucky ones as per my doctor my lungs are in good shape. I get allergy related asthma, have had strokes (they think were caused by the number of head injuries I had when I was younger) and heart problems (doctor feels from the stress I have been under for the last 40 years). I know that I need to quit smoking, but I just have not been able to and continue to work toward that goal. I have a wonderful daughter, son in law and 4 beautiful granddaughters. Luckily my daughter never smoked. She tried it one time and did not like it.

For those who don't smoke it is hard to understand those who do. I am of sound mind, and it is a choice I made just as I have decided that it is time to quit. I don't like the smell that it leaves on my person and in my home, but it is what it is until I can quit. The only good thing, with rolling my own cigarettes the tobacco does not have all the chemicals that store bought has, the tubes have cotton filters instead of synthetic and it is much cheaper. If your Mom is determined to smoke, don't alienate her or get her kicked out of where she is at. Chances are if they have been in her apartment..they know. If she is of sound mind, you won't be able to change her mind on it. It is hard but stand by her, love her and hope for the best. If you report her to the apartments it could mean her becoming homeless and from your post I know you love her though it sounds as if you are hurt and frustrated. She has to want to quit. If she is determined to smoke my only suggestion would be to have her roll her own to save her money and possibly slow down the amount she smokes. It takes practice, but once a person has learned the in and outs it does not take long to roll a pack. We order our tubes and tobacco (as well as roller) from a company on line and have ordered from this company for about 6 or 7 years as it just got too expensive to buy over the counter. Now we cannot smoke the over the counter cigs as we can taste all the chemicals in them.

1golflady (or anyone) if you have any questions please private message me. Thanks for letting me add my "3 cents worth" (in this case instead of 2). As I said I am not condoning it only trying to give insight as to what it is like to be a smoker.

Y'all have a great weekend!

Hi 1golflady,
Quite a mixed bag of answers, huh?

I smoked from age 17 to 27 (I'm 61). I smoked through nursing school! One of the teachers and I would sneak out on a break and puff away. Haha, what a scene that must have been. Believe it or not, I smoked in the nurses lounge on the patient ward (with the door open) near patients rooms (1970's) until they banned that. Hard to imagine now.

My driving force to quit was I wanted a baby and didn't want to be smoking through pregnancy or after. It worked. I quit through the American Cancer Society on the Great American Smokeout Day (third Thursday of November, 1984). 5 years later (I thought I was "clean" enough at that point), then I had my son.

I can attest to what a death grip (tongue in cheek) it has on you. I smoked through colds and bronchitis. It didn't matter. Smoking is a comfort, calms the nerves, makes a bad situation OK.

If she has stated she doesn't want to quit, then there's nothing that will make her.....even the threat of death. As a nurse, I have had patients smoke all the up to their death. For them it was a necessary thing to do. Their choice.

I don't think you should contribute any money to your mom's habit. IF she has enough money to meet all the bills and food, then she's responsible for what she does with the rest. You could sign her up for Meals on Wheels to make sure she's getting one good meal a day. It's a contribution basis. Maybe she'd enjoy a meal dropped off from her kids from time to time. Your own cooking can get pretty boring.

Now for my opinions. I am entitled to them as ya'll are to yours.
Shakingdustoff,
"throw her out on the street to fend for herself." Wow, coming from a Catholic! What would the Pope say about that remark? If I remember correctly, you "rescued" your mother from a barbaric nursing home. But, if she smoked, you'd kick her to the curb? Sheesh.

Becky,
Maybe the mom smokes off the property. IF so, there is no reason for the manager to know that she smokes, since she wouldn't be smoking on the property. Golf lady said that she was lucky to get in there. She may not have a place to go if the mgr. decides to throw her out. That HAS to be factored in.

Dragon flower,
"Why feel guilty about an addict?" Addicts aren't trash. They are people with problems. That "addict" is also someone you love and who probably loves you.
You want them to do the right thing and not have this awful addiction but you also don't want to see them suffer. You're caught between a rock and a hard place. Previously, when my son (the heroin addict) called and said he was hungry, I would send money (wrong!) and, when his dad kicked him out, I paid for a hotel room twice. I now know that's enabling. But the "addict" is/was part of your life. That's why you feel guilty when you don't help them. I still do because I've cut my son off completely. I try not to think about it.

drooney,
As a former cigarette addict, it NEVER worked for me to cut down. Once you work your way up to the amount of cigarettes you smoke, it's practically impossible to cut back. Actually, I found it "easier" to quit because I wasn't wanting the cigarettes I was cutting down everyday. There definitely is an emotional side to smoking. I "get" that it's her best friend. There is "comfort" in smoking, even though you know it's killing you. (Weird, I know.)

GenKazden,
Amen. I'm glad that you brought your perspective to this as a smoker. Both sides should be represented .

Dusty,
She has to WANT to quit and she doesn't. Nothing that anyone can do.
--------------------
As long as no one is putting money out for moms' habit, and, as long as she isn't smoking on the apartment complex property, she has a right to smoke. If she knows that none of you will pay her bills she may budget her money better.

Unfortunately, as time goes on, her COPD will get worse. She'll probably need oxygen later on. Her mobility will be severely limited. She will be constantly short of breath. She will need many things done for her. And I'm sure she knows this. Denial is a strong emotion especially when you receive comfort from your addiction.

1Golflady, I'm so glad you posted this right at this time. I've been struggling with this for two months!

My Mom quit smoking 10 yrs. ago. She got sick this year and I brought her to live with me 2 months ago. She too waited years to get her income based senior apt. So I knew once I took her, there was no going back, even if she got better. Well she's gotten worse so no worries there.

Anywho, when she got here she picked up the cigs again on the second day!! She was completely freaked out with the realization, she'd lost everything, in the blink of an eye. But there was no choice. 

I jumped on her case for smoking right away, and for the following week.

She was deeply grieving my brothers wife's death. At only 40, with 3 kids left behind. Her grief was gut level. She cried for my brother and the kids along with her loss. Sissy was in our family for 21 years, she was one of us.

Mom also had horrible anxiety and a boatload of physical ailments that she stopped taking care of.

Well I figured once she gets to a Dr., and the anti-depressants/anxiety meds kick in, we could help her quit again. To be honest, I could not handle her tears, vomiting due to nerves and her immense sadness.

I too smoke. I love it and have no plans to quit right now. That's how she gets the cigs.

Well she wound up having 2 strokes. This was due to clogged corrotids. I know the smoking added to it. I've been on her case since the first stroke, and pulling my hair out since the second one.

She just got home Thursday, first thing she does, lights up! I lost it. I told her....

* Get this straight, I am not cleaning your a$$ because you want to smoke! If you stroke out and have 'the big one', you're going in a NH!*

She said..... *OK*

So now that we've got that straight, it's still doesn't feel right. I was feeling like, the hell with it, let her do what she wants.

My oldest son came yesterday to spend the weekend with her. I thought, oh great, he's going to see her puffing and have a fit. And it's going to be directed at me! I hear this all the time from my youngest son who is still living here at home.

Well my oldest really put it into perspective for me. He said, * look at her, how long do you really think she's got? Let her do WHATEVER she wants.*

So yeah, that's where I am now, I'm letting her enjoy the time she's got left. Even it it shortens that time.   But we're going for quality  over quantity.

Her and Frank Sinatra.... they'll do it....Their way...lol

Let Mom live. Just love her up and don't make her feel she has to justify her smoking to you. She won't look forward to your visits. Just be her child and enjoy her.💕

Sorry I wrote a novel here, I do try to keep it short.😞

Hi Pepsee… don't worry about the novel. I seem to write a book everytime I post (smile).

Thank you Dusti22 ❤️

Maybe that's the ONE THING that makes her happy. So she has COPD, stopping smoking will not make COPD go away. LET HER SMOKE, not letting her or tying to make a lifetime smoker quit at end of life is just flat DUMB. So you have issues with smokers. Look the other way. One of the CRUELEST things my stepmother did to my father (who was dying rapidly from cancer) was banish him from sweets. (He also smoked). Now he was diabetic but it was pretty well managed. One day at a restaurant I called her out. He just wanted a little piece of cheese cake and she took it away. I came back with a HUGE hunk of pie for him. Now he only took a few bites as he knew he was *sinning* but still, get over your own issues with smoking and let her do what she wants to do as long as she is not the sort to fall asleep with a smoke. Explain she can only smoke outside. But stop your crybabying about your inheritance going up in smoke, as that's what it sounds like.  My mother was dxed with lung cancer-i.e. a spot on an xray following pneumonia and a doctor wanted to rip her lung out for $$$. We both laughed and left his office.  She lived 3 more years and DID NOT DIE to lung cancer, happily smoking right to the end, it was one of her joys of life.  Most people at that age don't have much to look forward to. So she has a bad habit that will kill her. THAT IS HER CHOICE, not YOURS.  

Cherrysoda;

I do not see anything in the original post by 1golflady regarding concern about inheritance, implied or otherwise. I even went back and re-read the post:

"...When she moved in the apartment she had quite a savings account. Fast forward 2 years and all of a sudden she is running out of money halfway through the month. Reason is she spends a minimum of 75 dollars a week to smoke..."

The plan was for her to save money to be able to afford her own place and to secure the income based apartment, NOT to set up some big savings fund for everyone to think they will inherit. I agree with others about this being her choice to smoke. No amount of cajoling, threatening, encouraging, etc will change that, she has to want to quit on her own. That is a battle that will never be won. However, blowing through savings and ignoring other expenses needed to live just to cover a bad habit is clearly a problem.

My thoughts:

The major concern 1goldlady is about subsidizing her addiction. There are other concerns, but this is really the only on that others can focus on and manage. The rest are on mom, she has to WANT to change her attitude and/or break her habit. If mom is spending money that should cover basic necessities on cigarettes and then runs short, where is it written that ANYONE should kick in that shortfall? It is not like she is some kid who is wasting their allowance on junk and needs to learn to budget. The woman is an ADULT. She needs to be held accountable for herself!

I would focus on getting her to understand the real needs and setting up a budget. Stress that THESE things (rent, utilities, insurance or whatever) must be allocated for and paid first, then anything left over you can spend on whatever you want.

Unfortunately unless she is deemed incompetent allowing someone to take over financial issues either via DPOA or guardian/stewardship, there is really nothing you can do to step in and take over her finances. I would NOT continue to fund her bad habits (smoking AND not budgeting.) Find out what financials are needed, set up a budget on paper and discuss this with her. Although she may nod and agree, this is where you point out 1) there IS enough to cover your basic needs, 2) there is only so much available after covering those necessities for your habit and 3) set that limitation that NONE of you will cover her shortfall anymore. THAT is the line in the sand that needs to be drawn and you STICK to it. That last one should/could come with explanation that you all have your own basic needs and wants, and stress that it leaves you all short for meeting YOUR obligations!

In the first sentence is “my mother lives in a nice senior income based apartment”. The original poster does not want her mother to lose this apartment which is supposed to be smoke free. The poster does want to give her her mother $300 a month to buy cigarettes. She does want to help her mother pay her bills, which she is afraid her mother is not paying because of buying so many cigarettes.

Yes, Cherry, the problem is not so much she smokes but that she is paying $300 a month for smokes and her bills are not getting paid. She has enough to live on "if" she budgets. Her children can't afford to subsidize her smoking habit.  And, her apartment is "No Smoking" unit.  

 

1golflady, how old is your Mom. One poster thought she was an "old" lady. I have a feeling she is younger that we are thinking.

My husband worked with a lady who had COPD. She would wear a mask at work so she wouldn't breath in the irritants but would be smoking a cig under the mask. My husband asked her wasn't that defeating the purpose. Yes, she ended up dying from the COPD.

My aunt had severe asthma and chronic bronchitis. She lived in a subsidized senior apartment that was NoSmoking both inside and within 300 feet of the building. There were a couple of smokers in her area. They smoked on the outside of the building away from the manager’s office. There were numerous complaints. I don’t know what happened, but their families were told they had to stop her smoking or she had to move. After that new tenants had to sign an agreement that they could not smoke anywhere on the apartment premises. My aunt was hospitalized 4 times from asthma complications while she lived there. She was elderly and impossible to say if the smoke complicated her problems or not. She moved after her last hospitalization to her daughtershome.

Smoking is an issue not easily solved.