For years, my wealthy in-laws had a shameless habit — they’d “forget” their wallets at dinner and leave others to foot the bill. When they invited my mom to a fancy restaurant for my mother-in-law’s 60th birthday, I warned her it was a trap. My mom, ever calm and confident, just said, “Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.” Little did they know, she was ready for their games.

The night played out exactly as expected. My in-laws ordered the most expensive food and wine, then one by one slipped away — first claiming forgotten purses, then phone calls, and finally “checking on the babysitter.” Soon my mom was alone at the table with a $1,500 bill. But instead of panicking, she ordered dessert and called over the manager — who happened to be one of her former students, now running the restaurant.

Together, they came up with a brilliant plan. The manager called my in-laws, informing them their “party had left without paying” and that the restaurant would contact the police if they didn’t return. Within minutes, they rushed back, furious and embarrassed. The manager added a 25% “inconvenience fee,” bringing the total to over $2,000. My mom sipped her port and smiled through the whole thing.

From that day on, family dinners changed forever. My mother-in-law now insists on announcing, “We’ll be paying separately tonight!” at every restaurant. My mom taught them a priceless lesson — that money can’t buy class, and you can’t scam someone who’s two steps ahead.