Supporting parents and kids while building your future

The sandwich generation refers to middle-aged individuals who support both their ageing parents and their children, often facing competing demands on their time and resources. Financial planner Goh Chee Keong advises those in this situation to prioritize their commitments by understanding what they can afford and setting realistic budgets.

His budgeting approach involves dividing expenses into three categories: essentials (food, housing, transport and insurance), discretionary spending (gym memberships and optional activities) and long-term commitments (retirement savings and emergency funds). By prioritizing these categories, individuals can support both generations over the long term without compromising their own financial well-being.

Goh emphasizes that financial planning should not be driven by comparisons with others, as each family's circumstances differ. Before comparing yourself to others, assess your own financial situation and determine what you can realistically afford. Additionally, it is crucial to have open and honest discussions about financial expectations with ageing parents, to understand their wishes and provide consistent support.

Involving siblings in creating a family contingency fund for future care costs can also be beneficial, taking into account each sibling's earning capacity, time commitments and personal circumstances.

Maintaining retirement savings should be a priority, rather than relying on what is left after meeting everyone else's needs. Goh advises building an emergency fund covering six to 12 months of living expenses, and having insurance protection for critical illness or total permanent disability that prevents you from working. By implementing budgeting, setting clear financial boundaries and maintaining discipline, the sandwich generation can balance the needs of both generations and protect their own financial future.