---
title: Unsolicited Financial Advice for the Folks of Downton Abbey
description: MONEY writers have a few tips for the family upstairs and the staff downstairs.
authors:
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published: '2016-01-11T20:57:22.000Z'
modified: '2020-07-07T10:55:00.000Z'
section: Lifestyle
tags:
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  - finance
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  - Money
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> **Disclosure:** We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/).

![Screen Shot 2016-01-11 at 3.32.24 PM](https://img.money.com/2016/01/screen-shot-2016-01-11-at-3-32-24-pm.png)

With *[Downton Abbey](http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/downtonabbey/)* entering its final season, Money writers Taylor Tepper and Ian Salisbury decided to offer some financial advice to the Crawley family and their staff, all of whom are facing uncertain futures.

Upstairs, the fate of the estate hangs in the balance. On top of the extraordinary costs of upkeep on the grand mansion, taxes on wealthy estates soared in the years following WWI, from less than 5% of revenues to nearly 25%.

Downstairs, talk of a reduction in staff has some of the household help looking for other jobs and pondering their roles—and opportunities—in a rapidly modernizing world.

Here's what our experts think the Downton gang should do.

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