Most of the time when families gather, the focus is purely social—reconnecting, reminiscing, and “rest and relaxation” as a group. Occasionally, family members may also gather for limited financial management tasks, such as settling a loved one’s estate, or planning for how to manage shared assets such as land or a family vacation home. These family get-togethers are important to families no matter what their financial circumstances. For families with wealth, though, the need to connect can go beyond the social aspects.
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Wealth coaching is essentially the study of one’s relationship with money and wealth. We all have a relationship with money, and through money messages that we learned at an early age, this relationship guides the majority of behaviors throughout our lives. Individuals and families who engage wealth coaches can benefit enormously across a broad spectrum of topics and issues as they participate in difficult conversations, learn about family systems, and devise governance strategies.
A young girl shares a story about the “weird gift” she received on her birthday from her grandmother. It included three jars that were labeled save, spend, and share. There was also an envelope with instructions and money inside it, and a note that said happy birthday and you’re old enough to start thinking beyond spending. With a set of guidance in her hands, she learned the importance and joy of sharing her resources.
If you’re not used to having conversations surrounding family wealth, it can be an uncomfortable experience that can lead to in-fighting and a breakdown in trust. That’s especially true when talking about inheritance: older generations often question if their kids are ready to grow into their roles as stewards of wealth, and younger generations often let inexperience and a fear of being judged keep them from asking important questions.
It’s both a special and critical milestone when your children turn 18. At that age in the family life stage, they become legal adults with many new rights and responsibilities. While there are certain ways to help them get started on ensuring their financial future, there are also rights that you as a parent lose when they reach adulthood, like guaranteed access to their medical records. With their financial future in mind, there are a few critical things to watch out for to help them with their personal finance and protect their future.
Departing for college is a major life event for your family, marking a significant step toward your child's independence. Whether your child is going near or far, planning is critical. Follow this checklist to address critical healthcare, insurance, personal safety, and financial decisions.
It’s not uncommon for parents showing signs of mental or physical decline to need assistance from their children from time to time, and today that help primarily comes from their daughters. Daughters spend more than twice the amount of time caring for aging parents that sons do, and women make up 60% of all caregivers in the United States. Here is some guidance on how you can make conversations with your parents about their finances easier and more productive.
College graduation marks the start of a career with new responsibilities and decisions. It's an exciting time but can be filled with uncertainty. Having a game plan can help the transition from college to the "real world.” This piece provides a handy checklist—including tips on budgeting, establishing credit, and online security—for the recent college graduate.
Philanthropy is embedded in the fabric of wealth management. Whether it's the Silent Generation or Generation Z, each generation wants to make an impact through charitable giving. With each generation having its own set of beliefs and perspectives, it's important to bridge that gap and ensure that, as wealth passes through generations, the family values and legacies are not left behind.
Visiting colleges is a great way for a college-bound student to gain a firsthand view and help determine which college is the right fit. To make the most of each visit and as part of your education planning, get prepared with this guide that offers tips, checklists, and thoughtful questions to ask your admissions rep and current students about the academic programs, student life, and the campus.