These days, it’s not uncommon for adult children to come back home, or never leave the nest in the first place.
Surveys show that the number of adults aged 23 to 37 staying or returning home has been increasing steadily since 2000.
It’s easy to pass judgment on boomerang kids, and assume that young adults living with their parents are simply lazy.
But moving back home can actually be a smart solution for adult kids who may be dealing with job uncertainty, low income, and/or a mountain of student loan debt.
And it can be a good deal for parents, too.
Some of the benefits include: opportunities for companionship, the ability to share household expenses, and the opportunity for grown children to pay down student loan debt and save money for future financial goals, such as buying a house.
But living under the same roof again can also create opportunities for misunderstanding and tension.
That’s why parents who find themselves with a not-so empty nest may want to set a few ground rules for millennials living at home.
Here are some things both parents and adult children may want to consider–and discuss–before moving back in together.
What is the Timeframe?
When adult children move back home, it’s helpful for both parties to have a timeframe in place, rather than the ’’foreseeable future.”
This may mean talking about why the move is happening. Is it to save money? If so, what is the money being saved for, and at what point should the child move out?
Some parents might find it helpful to set up a trial period, after which they can have a frank conversation about what is and is not working in the arrangement.
Going Over the Financials
Many misunderstandings from adult children living at home stem from confusion over how much money, if any, they are expected to contribute.
It can be helpful for both parties to consider their expectations before coming together and talking through them. Some issues you may want to think about and then discuss:
• Will adult children be expected to pay rent? And if so, how much? When will it be due? Some parents might want to set a flat rate, while others might consider a percentage of the child’s income, if that income is currently low but expected to rise.
• Will the child be responsible for a portion of bills, groceries, or other household expenses?
• How will resources be allocated? Is the fridge open for anyone? Can the child use the family car if they need it?
• How much will bills go up with additional usage? Parents might decide they want their child to pay for any overages, or they might be okay with handling the increase themselves.
Going Over House Rules and Behavior Expectations
Some parents have a “my house, my rules” expectation. But it can sometimes be mutually beneficial if both parties talk about behavior expectations with an attitude of give and take.
Often “unspoken expectations” don’t come up until a problem occurs. Talking through them proactively can make sure that everyone is on the same page.
Some issues parents and adult kids may want to go over:
• What are expectations for guests? Is it okay for romantic partners to sleep over? Do parents need a heads up before guests come by?
• What are communication expectations? Should a child inform their parents if they won’t be home by a certain time?
• What chores are expected? It’s wise to go over whether or not you expect that your child to do some of the supermarket shopping and/or clean any areas of the house beyond their living spaces. You might want to continue doing them as a way to continue to nurture your adult child. But it’s also perfectly acceptable to have your adult child pitch in on dinner duty, take on cleaning, or otherwise contribute to the house as an adult.
• What do daily schedules look like? Maybe one family member needs quiet for work meetings. Maybe another needs access to family exercise equipment or the shower in the morning? Talking through routines — from breakfast to bedtime — will set expectations and avoid misunderstandings.
• What does privacy mean when you’re under the same roof?
Both parties may be concerned about how the new arrangement will affect their lives, and talking through those concerns can help people find solutions that work for everyone.
Helping Adult Children Achieve Financial Independence
There’s nothing like living together to get financial habits out in the open. This applies for adult children and their parents.
By keeping an open dialogue about money, however, you can help your adult children get on the right financial track (and perhaps move out sooner, rather than later).
Here are some ways you may be able to help adult children work towards financial security.
Talking through financial and savings goals
Instead of asking your adult child how much they have saved, or how much consumer credit card debt they have, consider asking them to talk through their short- and long-term financial goals.
Putting rent to work
Some parents who are in a position to do so may want to charge their children rent and then use that money to gift to their child for a down payment, help with tuition, or hit another financial goal.
Or, in lieu of rent, you might request that your child set up an automatic deposit into a savings account that could eventually become a security deposit on a rental or an emergency fund.
Teaching by Example
One way to encourage disclosure about your adult child’s financial picture is to talk through your own.
Talking broadly through your retirement plan, any long-term care plans, or how you hit your own financial goals such as buying a house or paying for college can help your child start good financial habits.
After all, personal finance is not typically taught formally, and giving your adult child — no matter how old — some insight into the tools and strategies you use can give them ideas for how they can manage their money.
Trying not to Nitpick
While it’s helpful to talk through your own strategies, it may not be helpful if your child feels like you’re critical of the way they are spending money.
Let’s say your adult child buys a latte every day. Sure, you can point out how much they would potentially save if they invested that money, but for the sake of the relationship, it may be easier to let certain habits go and focus on what your child is doing to work toward financial goals, such as investing in their company’s 401(k) plan or doing their taxes well in advance of tax day.
The Takeaway
Living under one roof may not always be easy for adult children or parents, but it comes with an opportunity for growth for everyone, as well as a closer relationship as equals.
Part of forging that relationship may involve setting some parameters early on about what is expected from grown children while they are living at home, from how much they may be expected to contribute financially to how often they can use the car.
Letting kids move back home (where they can live more affordably), and having open discussions about money, can help them not only save, but also develop good financial habits.
One way young adults (and parents, too) can works towards achieving their savings goals is to join SoFi Money®.
SoFi Money is a cash management account that allows you to earn competitive interest, spend, and save—all in one account.
SoFi Money also makes it easy for kids living at home to pitch in on expenses. Members can send money any time to any person with a U.S. bank account. If the recipient is also a SoFi Money member, the transfer should occur instantly.
Check out everything a SoFi Money cash management account has to offer today.
SoFi Money®
SoFi Money is a cash management account, which is a brokerage product, offered by SoFi Securities LLC, member FINRA / SIPC . Neither SoFi nor its affiliates is a bank.
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Source: sofi.com