The holidays provide a cozy time to discuss your family's financial future while everyone is together for a few days. It's an opportunity to share stories, to pass down lessons learned in hard times and to convey the connection and resilience of family. You may not want to talk about estate planning and inheritances around the table, but arrange for some time over the break to have these conversations.
Studies show that families often avoid or put off talking about their finances. Money talk remains taboo across almost every aspect of modern society: economically, educationally and culturally, according to Money Talks, a study by Empower. Most of those surveyed by Empower (61%) say they never learned about personal finance in school, and over half (52%) say that money wasn’t discussed at home or growing up.
On the bright side, 66% of survey respondents believe that open money conversations can help more people achieve financial freedom and can help build generational wealth. That's why having these conversations is important, and Thanksgiving is the perfect time to start. Consider bringing up the following financial topics at this year’s Thanksgiving table.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
1. Financial gratitude
First things first. The relationship between gratitude and Thanksgiving is deeply ingrained in the holiday. Some of us grew up going around the table and sharing something we’re thankful for each year. A focus on family financial gratitude can help your loved ones feel more content with what they have and not stress as much about what they’re lacking.
Start the conversation by sharing what you are grateful to be able to look forward to and ask your family to share as well. Gratitude reduces envy and jealousy. And being envious or jealous of someone can lead to resentment. Practicing gratitude can help shift the focus away from other people’s possessions and to what you have that you can be thankful for, according to research.com.
2. Financial accomplishments
Take a moment to celebrate each other’s financial wins. Recognizing these accomplishments can serve as a positive example for the younger generation.
You can start the conversation by posing positive questions: Did anyone adopt a positive money habit? Did anyone hold off buying an item you may not need? Did anyone reprioritize spending or tighten their budget to accomplish a goal?
Noting the positives can help people acknowledge the good things they're doing and foster mindful money management. Mindfulness helps you pause and assess whether a spending decision aligns with what matters, leading to better saving and spending choices.
"Gratitude turns what we have into enough."
- Author Unknown
3. Luxury vs necessity
"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough," is a quote attributed to Oprah Winfrey. It eloquently emphasizes that gratitude for what you have is more fulfilling than what we may long for.
In an age of hyper-consumerism, it's important to teach younger generations to recognize the difference between need and want. Advertisements and influencers often emphasize needing items that are often not necessary. Trying to keep up with the Jones has taken on new connotations in the age of social media. In the past, people might have just envied their neighbors, but now we can compare ourselves with everyone worldwide.
4. Setting financial goals
Having a financial goal provides a clear direction for your financial journey. It helps prioritize spending and saving, ensuring financial decisions align with objectives. Financial goals promote financial discipline, reduce stress, and facilitate better decision-making.
It can sometimes seem like an overwhelming task to save for the future. Discuss how to prioritize goals, create a budget and adjust goals and plans as needed. If you are financially able, offer to match a savings goal. It doesn't have to be a dollar-for-dollar match.
Share stories of delayed gratification and how that impacted your life positively. For instance, saving for a home takes consistent saving and budgeting. Explain how the sustained sacrifice needed to save leads to realizing goals, such as buying your first home, and builds confidence to tackle other life challenges.
Bottom line
Ultimately, the best way for you to teach younger generations about personal finance is to be a good role model. Talk to them about your own goals and your progress in reaching them. Share your setbacks and how you overcame them. And think back to when you were a child at the holiday table. What financial lessons did your parents or grandparents pass down to you that you'd like to see carry forward?
Read More
-
Ask the Editor: What medical expenses are deductible?Ask the Editor In this week's Ask the Editor Q&A, Joy Taylor answers questions on the tax deduction for medical expenses, from Medicare premiums to teeth whitening.
-
Backdoor Roth IRAs: Help Your Kids Keep More of Their InheritanceConverting to a backdoor Roth IRA via an IRS "loophole" is an estate planning tool that gives heirs tax-free income in retirement. It can help you, too.
-
Backdoor Roth IRAs: Help Your Kids Keep More of Their Inheritance
Converting to a backdoor Roth IRA via an IRS "loophole" is an estate planning tool that gives heirs tax-free income in retirement. It can help you, too.
-
Eight Factors to Consider When Considering a Roth ConversionRoth conversions, which transform traditional IRAs into Roth IRAs, are a powerful retirement and tax tool. Here are eight facts to get you started.
-
Avoid These Four Mistakes in the Run Up to RetirementYou can learn a thing or two from the retirees who went before you.
-
Where to Deposit Your Social Security CheckIf you receive Social Security checks, where you deposit them matters because it can help grow your earnings. See the best options.
-
Over 50 and Can’t Stop Snacking? Here's How to Beat Junk Food AddictionGiving up ultra-processed food is designed to be hard. Here's why so many of us reach for the junk and how to gradually kick the habit.
-
I'm 52, make $210K a year and heard I may lose a 401(k) tax break in 2026. Should I max out my 401(k) anyway?We asked financial experts for advice.
-
Ten Ways Family Offices Can Build Resilience in a Volatile WorldFamily offices are shifting their global investment priorities and goals in the face of uncertainty, volatile markets and the influence of younger generations.
-
Social Security Payment Schedule for 2026Find out when you can expect your 2026 Social Security payments and the date you get paid when your scheduled day falls on a holiday.
