3 Financial Lessons You Can Learn From Your Grandkids

​Do you have grandchildren in their late teens or 20s? Their generation, known as millennials, grew up with access to the internet, cellphones and other technology that previous generations could never have imagined.
 
Millennials sometimes get a bad rap as being entitled and self-focused. However, their relationship with technology has given them a unique worldview. They recognize how to use technology to their advantage, and they may see opportunities that older generations don’t recognize.

Technology isn’t the only factor that has impacted the thinking of millennials. They’re influenced by major world events like 9/11 and the economic collapse of 2008. They also struggle with student loans, which may influence their view on money and debt.
 
While you may wish to impart some wisdom on your grandchildren, it also may be wise for you to learn a few lessons from them. If you’re preparing for retirement, you might benefit from a millennial’s approach to finance. Below are a few tips that older generations could learn from millennials and how you can apply them to your retirement:

Learn to share.
Sharing is a basic life skill most people learn in kindergarten. However, millennials have taken sharing to a whole new level by using it as a foundation to reshape the economy. The “sharing economy” is based on the idea that anyone can make money by sharing their house, car, tools, time or nearly any other asset.
 
For example, you could use your car to drive part time for a ride-sharing company. You could earn extra income by renting out a room in your home to travelers. There are even sharing services that allow you to make money by running errands for others or loaning out your tools. Do some research and be creative to find moneymaking opportunities.

Spend on experiences, not stuff.
Many millennials say they would rather spend their money on experiences rather than on stuff. That could be a good approach to take in retirement. If you’re like many retirees, your plans may include travel, hobbies, dining out and spending time with family and friends. Those activities require money.
 
If experiences are important to you, consider funding them by cutting spending in other areas of your budget. For example, cut back on shopping for new clothes. Consider downsizing to a smaller home, which would reduce your costs for things like mortgage payments, utilities, maintenance and more. That could give you more money for the activities that are most important to you.

Embrace technology.
Your grandchildren are probably the most tech-savvy members of the family. Perhaps some of their technology isn’t your cup of tea. However, an embrace of technology could be helpful to you in retirement.
 
For example, there are a number of apps that can help you budget and track your spending in real time. That could keep you on the right path so you don’t deplete your assets. Also, your financial professional could help you take advantage of planning tools that can forecast your retirement and monitor your investments. Look for technology that can help you keep your retirement on track.

Ready to implement these tips into your retirement? Let’s talk about it. We can help you analyze your needs and develop a strategy. Let’s connect soon and start the conversation.
 
Licensed Insurance Professional. This information is designed to provide a general overview with regard to the subject matter covered and is not state specific. The authors, publisher and host are not providing legal, accounting or specific advice for your situation. By providing your information, you give consent to be contacted about the possible sale of an insurance or annuity product. This information has been provided by a Licensed Insurance Professional and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting insurance professional. The statements and opinions expressed are those of the author and are subject to change at any time. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, presenting insurance professional makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. This material has been prepared for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, accounting, legal, tax or investment advice.
16694 - 2017/5/23