5 tips to help talk about generational wealth with adult children

June 8th 2023 | Categories: Money, Family & Relationships |

The ability to have these discussions creates an open and supportive environment where knowledge is shared, financial goals are aligned, and a secure future is ensured. By openly addressing generational wealth, you foster unity, strengthen family bonds, and empower each member to make informed financial decisions. These dialogues lay the foundation for lasting legacies, ensuring that your family’s financial well-being can transcend generations. 

However, it isn’t always easy to kickstart these conversations with your adult children so to help you get started here are 5 tips to help you talk to your family about generational wealth: 

1. Start the conversation early: It’s never too early to start talking to your children about finances and the importance of generational wealth. Even if your children are still in school, you can begin discussing the importance of saving and budgeting. Not only will this help them develop good financial habits early on but it will also set them up for success in their adult life.
2. Be open and honest: When discussing generational wealth with your adult children, it’s important to be open and honest about your own financial situation. Set a good example so that they aren’t scared to approach you with any questions that might matter to them. This will help build trust and understanding in your relationship and create a safe space for future conversations as you get older and they need to play a more active role in your financial planning.
3. Avoid judgment: When discussing generational wealth with your adult children, it’s important to avoid judgment. Creating a safe space for your adult children to discuss their own financial struggles without fear of judgment will open the channels of communication to ensure that the topics are inclusive. This will also help them to broach topics that may be difficult to discuss such as estate planning or inheritances which can be a sensitive topic for some people to discuss.
4. Listen to your adult children: It’s important to listen to the concerns and questions of your adult children when discussing generational wealth and how family finances play a role in long-term financial health. There are no silly questions, and nothing should be off-limits. Being open and listing to your adult children will help you better understand their expectations and their financial goals as well as assist you to provide guidance and support that aligns with their needs.
5. Provide guidance and support: When discussing generational wealth with your adult children, it’s important to provide them with guidance by ensuring that you are there to discuss the options with them and help them understand how their choices will affect not only theirs but their children’s financial future. By providing guidance and support, you can set generations up for financial success and financial independence. 

You may also be interested in our articles:

• How to Talk to Ageing Parents about Generational Wealth
• Why Talking To Your Adult Children about Your Finances Is Important
• Why Additional Super Contributions Benefit You At Tax Time

In summary, discussing the importance of generational wealth with your adult children is an important step in helping them achieve and maintain financial success beyond their own lives. Being open and honest about your own financial experiences will help your children avoid making the same mistakes that you may have made, and it will provide guidance on how to navigate complex financial decisions as they grow older and strive to achieve their own best possible life. 

Not sure how to kickstart the conversation? Invite your family to a Financial Planning session with one of our Financial Advisers at Invest Blue.

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