The Family Financial Circle: Passing Wisdom, Wealth, and Wild Dreams Forward
Money is more than numbers in an account—it’s a story that spans generations. Here’s how to pass on your hard-earned wisdom, wealth, and wild dreams!
What is The Family Financial Circle? It’s key to igniting your family’s wild dreams.
Families are built on more than shared DNA. They’re built on stories, lessons, and the values we pass down—often around the kitchen table. Money is a part of that story, whether we talk about it openly or not.
Creating a Family Financial Circle means inviting every generation into the conversation—from kids learning about saving, to parents juggling big life goals, to grandparents enjoying retirement. It’s not just about building wealth; it’s about sharing the knowledge that keeps those wild dreams alive.
How to build your Family Financial Circle:
1. Talk openly about money
It can be tough talk about money. Especially with your parents or kids. Getting over that deep rooted hangup will set your family on the track to success. Be open. Be transparent. Ask questions. Share not only the “how” but the “why” behind financial decisions.
If you don’t know the answer, it’s ok! As your credit union, we’re here to help. Not only can we answer questions, members can get free financial counseling, chart your own path with Fin-Life digital financial planning, and even get paid for making good financial decisions with our friends at Debbie. Learn more about all the ways we can help you build your personal financial smarts and wellness here!
2. Teach through participation
Any pro will tell you, experience is the best teacher. To start off, it could be as easy as inviting the kids to help with budgeting for a family vacation or choosing a charity to support for your CloseEnuff™ debit card.
When you’re ready, start their first savings account. And when they’re ready, give them the responsibility of their own debit card to start learning the ins and outs of earning and spending. For your peace-of-mind, the Greenlight kids debit card gives you total parental control. (Even better, it’s free for members!*) At over 50 schools across the state of Michigan, they can even earn while learning at a student-run credit union.
Because getting them comfortable handling money now will set them up for life on their own. (Even if, as parents, we never want to imagine that!)
3. Create a legacy plan
Money carries on long after we’re gone. Even small steps like designating a beneficiary can make a difference for our children and heirs.
It’s not just about who to leave your money to, planning helps prepare the family to handle inheritance, debts, funeral costs, and divisive financial decisions, so they don’t feel further emotional distress. It also helps you ensure that the money you worked hard to earn goes where you want it as much as possible.
Knowing the discussion is tough, we’re stepping up to help. Members can save on easy estate planning through our partners at Trust & Will to help craft a legacy that sets your family up for the future. And we can help support you with financial adjustments after the death of a loved one through our exclusive partnership with Steps After Life.
While planning for the dark moments that affect us all can be a hard step, it goes a long way toward keeping the Family Financial Circle, and your legacy, rolling forward.
4. Celebrate milestones
Never skip a chance to party! Whether it’s paying off debt, buying a first car, your oldest graduating to a teen account, or a parent retiring, mark the moment together. Because when it comes to your money, every little bit counts. And life is meant to be celebrated with the ones we love!
The family the saves together grows together!
When we connect our financial choices to our values and dreams, we give the next generation the tools and confidence to write their own chapter—and keep the circle turning!
As always, friends… Dream Wild™!
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*CFCU customers are eligible for the Greenlight SELECT plan at no cost when they connect their CFCU account as the Greenlight funding source for the entirety of the promotion. Subject to minimum balance requirements and identity verification. Upgrades will result in additional fees. Upon termination of promotion, customers will be responsible for associated monthly fees. See terms for details. Offer ends 2/19/2028. Offer subject to change and partner participation.