5 Financial Tips for the Sandwich Generation
Do you find yourself stretched thin between caring for an aging parent and your own children? If so you are part of what is known as the “sandwich generation”. The responsibility is not only mentally exhausting but can feel financially straining. This growing population are now “sandwiched” and must stretch their income to provide financial support on both sides. If you are part of the sandwich generation, there are financial planning tips you can follow to ease the stress that this brings.
Top 5 Financial Planning Tips for those in the Sandwich Generation
1. Openly Communicate With Your Parents About Their Financial Situation and Expectations
This financial planning tip is crucial to your overall plan. You will not be able to prepare a financial plan if you are not up-to-date on your parent’s finances. Ask your parents about their finances and if they have the means to cover a long-term illness or extended nursing home care. Discuss their end-of-life wishes.
2. Talk with siblings and other family members
Discuss the steps you might have to take in a worst-case elderly parent scenario. If there’s no insurance to cover the cost of care, how will you divvy up the financial and hands-on responsibilities? At the end of these conversations, you’ll have a better idea of how much financial responsibility you’re taking on; this will help you understand how much you need to budget.
3. Prepare for Your Children’s Needs
One of the big expenses that you may be preparing for is paying for your children’s education. One of the top options available to you is a 529 savings plan. These plans allow for money to be set aside for college to grow tax-free; it can also be withdrawn without being taxed. The key for 529 plans is to start saving as early as possible. In addition, you should take this time to teach your kids basic money skills, which can help them to be financially independent, later in life.
4. Manage your debt and protect your assets
Carrying loads of debt with high interest payments can keep you from getting ahead of the finance game. Try to pay off your non-mortgage debts and use the money you save to build an emergency cash fund. Protect your hard-earned money and assets by having sufficient health insurance, life insurance, homeowner’s insurance and disability insurance. When you reach your late 40s or early 50s, consider long-term care insurance. The earlier you buy long-term coverage, the lower your premiums will be.
5. Don’t Neglect Your Retirement Savings
Although caring for your family is very important, you do still have to take into consideration your own financial stability. You should contribute enough to at least get the maximum employer match; that way, you aren’t missing any free money. If you want to save in other retirement accounts, you should consider your options, which include Roth IRA, 401(k), and 403(b). Make sure to choose the retirement account that offers you the best tax benefits
Source: genworth.com/dam/Americas/US/PDFs/Consumer/corporate/Future_of_LTC_in_America.pdf
For more information, Contact MCF today!
Hunter Nighbert
Financial Advisor
hnighbert@mcfadvisors.com
859-967-0990
Schedule a meeting
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE
MCF Advisors, LLC (“MCF”) is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Please remember that past performance may not be indicative of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended or undertaken by MCF), or any non-investment related content, made reference to directly or indirectly in this presentation will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the content may no longer be reflective of current opinions or positions. Moreover, you should not assume that any discussion or information contained in this presentation serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from MCF. To the extent that a reader has any questions regarding the applicability of any specific issue discussed herein to his/her/its individual situation, he/she/it is encouraged to consult with the professional advisor of his/her/its choosing. MCF is neither a law firm nor a certified public accounting firm and no portion of the webinar content should be construed as legal or accounting advice. A copy of MCF’s current written disclosure statement discussing our advisory services and fees is available upon request. If you are an MCF client, please remember to contact MCF in writing, if there are any changes in your personal/financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing / evaluating / revising our previous recommendations and/or services. The scope of the services to be provided depends upon the needs of the client and the terms of the engagement.