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Secure your Mask First and Then Assist the Kids

I was on an airplane the other day, trying to read the paper as I listened to the flight attendant's safety speech. You know, the one where they show you how to fasten a seat belt, where to go in an emergency and how to put on an oxygen mask. "Place the mask firmly over your nose and mouth, secure the elastic band behind your head, and breathe normally… If you are travelling with a child or someone who requires assistance, secure your mask first and then assist the other person." That last part reminded me of an important financial concept, securing your financial mask first.

In a recent Barron's article, 68% of parents said they would be willing to delay their retirement to pay for college while 72% have put their children's interests ahead of their own need to save for retirement. As parents, we want to help support our children and provide opportunities for them by paying for college. And, if you can and want to do that, you absolutely should. However, when you dip into your retirement savings or stop contributing to your retirement fund to pay for college, you are not doing your kids any favors. Sabotaging your retirement fund may mean that one day you will have to borrow money from your kids or even live with your kids during retirement. The biggest favor you can do for your kids is to take care of yourself first and live independently in retirement. Trust me, they are not looking forward to having you move in with them in your golden years.

Keep in mind that there are other ways to pay for college. Students can get grants, scholarships, work-study jobs, and loans to help pay the cost of college. They can cut costs by attending a less expensive community college or living at home while they attend college. Though you can borrow to pay for college, there is no such thing as a retirement loan. Grandparents or other friends or family may also want to contribute to your children's college fund. One of the best gifts you can give your child is a deposit into a college savings account (and I can help you set up the account that will make it even easier for you or your family and friends to make that deposit). Another benefit of continuing to contribute to your own retirement savings like 401(k) plans, IRAs, and other retirement accounts is that they are not included in the calculation for financial aid.

As a college professor, I would also like to encourage you to expect your child to pay for some of their costs of college. Frankly, some of my worst students are those whose parents are paying all their college expenses. Whether they earn scholarships or contribute to tuition from summer job savings, students will value college more and take it more seriously if they too are investing in their education.

As I mentioned earlier, one of the biggest favors you can do for your kids is to live independently in your retirement. Another favor you can do for them is to allow them to develop their own financial independence. You can assist them, but only after helping yourself first.

If you have questions or if you would like more information on saving for college or retirement, you can e-mail me at mhaertzen@wtwealthmanagement.com or call (520) 204-1058.

Sincerely,

Matt Haertzen
Matthew J. Haertzen


References:
Kapadia, Reshma. "The Parent Trap."
Barron's; New York, N.Y. Vol. 99, Iss. 12
(Mar 25, 2019)



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