{"id":490990,"date":"2026-01-04T04:42:13","date_gmt":"2026-01-04T04:42:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/490990\/"},"modified":"2026-01-04T04:42:13","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T04:42:13","slug":"parents-are-shelling-out-1474-monthly-for-adult-kids-but-when-does-helping-turn-into-holding-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/490990\/","title":{"rendered":"Parents are shelling out $1,474 monthly for adult kids \u2014 but when does helping turn into holding back?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Young people today have faced financial crises, a tough job market and exorbitant tuition fees \u2014 it makes sense that they may need financial help from their parents.<\/p>\n

But a new study has found that the help parents are providing is hitting new heights, and may have worrying consequences.<\/p>\n

Savings.com surveyed 1,000 parents of adult children and found that the average amount they give per month is $1,474. Moreover, this year\u2019s survey marked a 6% increase in the total amount compared with last year. (1)<\/p>\n

White some support may be necessary, USA Today suggests that parents \u2014 and even grandparents \u2014 are risking their own financial health in some cases. (2)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what you need to know if you\u2019re supporting your adult children, and how to pull back on financial support if you\u2019ve overextended.<\/p>\n

Half the parents surveyed for the Savings.com study said they provided regular financial assistance, with 83% of those respondents saying they help with groceries and 65% saying they help with phone bills.<\/p>\n

Shockingly, nearly half (46%) of the parents who help out financially said they pay for vacations.<\/p>\n

Another worrying finding of the study is that nearly half of the parents who say they financially support their children are sacrificing their own financial security.<\/p>\n

Parents in the workforce who financially support their adult children said that they give 2.3 times more to their kids than they contribute to their own retirement accounts every month.<\/p>\n

A separate survey from TheSeniorList.com found that 96% of grandparents financially help their grandchildren, according to a survey of 1,200 Americans 55 and over. The survey found that among grandparents who offer support, the average they spent per year was $3,917. (3)<\/p>\n

Another concerning metric from this survey: 11% of grandparents said they had dipped into their retirement savings or accounts to help their grandchildren.<\/p>\n

It makes sense to want to step in if your child, or grandchild, grown as they may be, can\u2019t afford to put food on the table, or pay their phone bill.<\/p>\n

But paying for a vacation, or giving money with no strings attached, especially when it comes at the expense of your own retirement savings, is a behavior that could be a sign of financial enabling.<\/p>\n

Story continues <\/p>\n

Read More: Young millionaires are rethinking stocks in 2026 and banking on these assets instead \u2014 here\u2019s why older Americans should take note<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Experts suggest having a clear plan regarding your contributions to your children, what purpose they serve, and how long you will be giving support.<\/p>\n

For example, if an adult child has to move in with you because they cannot afford their living expenses, experts recommend that you require them to contribute to the household, whether through paying rent or helping with household expenses.<\/p>\n

Setting a timeline for how long they need support is also a good measure. When expectations aren\u2019t clear, there can be room for misunderstandings or conflict.<\/p>\n

Be sure to watch out for signs that your offers of help have not become a crutch. Financially enabling a family member will hurt your relationship, and your child\u2019s ability to develop skills to stand on their own two feet.<\/p>\n

If your child expects cash regularly, cannot learn to live within their means, or says no to offers of help other than cash, you may be financially enabling them.<\/p>\n

Setting boundaries around financial help lets your adult children know that they are responsible for their own financial lives and futures.<\/p>\n

Helping your child with finances also extends to their financial literacy: they should know how to build a budget, learn the importance of paying bills on time, and learn how to save for the future.<\/p>\n

Parents can also consider attaching stipulations to loaning money, such as laying out a repayment plan and, if you choose, interest.<\/p>\n

If cash handouts are impacting your ability to take care of your own finances or save for your retirement, consider whether you can actually afford the help you are giving. To set boundaries going forward, consider:<\/p>\n