Family, you can’t live with them (sometimes), and you can’t live without them. But, for most of us, there is nothing we wouldn’t do to see them safe, secure and happy.
“In family life, love is the oil that eases friction, the cement that binds closer together, and the music that brings harmony.” – Friedrich Nietzsche
So how will that look in the future? How will your older relatives manage? When the younger children are growing up, what will you do to enable them to have the lives that they deserve? It can be confusing and actually pretty challenging to know what you will do in certain situations. Here are a few tips that can help you plan a little bit for how to take care of your family in the long run of life.
Photo by Kevin Delvecchio on Unsplash
Think Cash
One of the biggest things you can do to take care of people is to put money away for the day you need it. Of course, not everyone can afford to put away hundreds and thousands of pounds, but even a few coins week overtime will add up. But, what about if you are caring for relatively full time? Trying to hold down a job to bring in the cash and then still be a full-time career is exhausting. FreedomCare is a company that can help you tackle that issue.
While on the topic of cash it is never too late to sort out a trust fund for your children. They used to be known as a child trust fund, or a CTF, but now you’re more likely to see them labelled as a Junior ISA. Even if all you can manage is ten dollars or pounds a month, it will be worth it. House deposits, medical bills, first car… Or even groceries can be purchased with that cash.
Spend Time
Time is something that we all have the same amount of, it just depends on how you use it. For example, if you have a few hours free on the weekend, you could a) stay in your loungewear and watch Netflix all day or b) go and visit relatives. Of course, you could always stay home in your loungewear and make phones calls. The important thing is that you try. Letting people know you are thinking about them is easier now than it has ever been. Texts, emails, sending photos, phone calls or making the visit. While there are some minor costs incurred, there is nothing as wonderful as seeing your friends and family genuinely delighted you are there.
The value of time is enormous. If you live far from your relatives, then see about your next vacation as the time to see them. As mentioned above you never quite know what is going to happen in the future. And if something does happen, you’ll always think about the time you could’ve spent.
When it comes to family, if you have the means to take care of them, then you should.
