Managing your parents' money

Remember how your parents instilled the habits of thrift in you, how your mom used to help you save money from your pocket money to deposit in the piggy bank, and when you got bonus bucks for reciting a poem, how your dad played money games with you and you got rewarded when you saved, when your dad helped you open your first savings account, how they helped you make your first investment. Now its your turn, the tables have turned. It is difficult to imagine, but yes, your parents have become old. And it's your responsibility to see that your parents are not going off track.

Your old mom and dad are not as tech advanced, they are not familiar with the latest investment options available. They tend to forget to pay bills and incur penalties. If both parents are alive, they divide their tasks, one handles the investments, the bills, the world outside the house and the other takes care of the domestic activities. But if either one is alive, it becomes difficult to handle everything, they get confused and end up messing things. Their health is deteriorating with time. There might be instances when they change their financial plan suddenly, or there is a change in the spending pattern. When you start noticing these traits in your parents, its time you should step in at this stage to take care of the financial health of your parents along with their physical health.

How to approach?

You must understand your wellspring's psyche before proceeding, since they have been guiding you throughout your life, managing their incomes and expenses, providing for your expenses as well and a sudden exchange in roles should be soft. Your words and actions must not hurt your parent's ego at any time. You need to take a few steps in order to effectively manage your parent's wealth.

• Talk: The first step is to talk it out. You must acquaint yourself with the exact financial position of your parents, their assets and liabilities, their income and expenses, investment commitments, etc. It might be a little difficult to initiate the money talk with the ones who have taught you about money, there will be hesitation in asking directly or they may not be comfortable sharing such things with you but you have to break the ice. You may start by narrating anecdotes, say an example of a friend's parents, who faced bad situations, because they could not manage their finances as a result of lack of awareness and your friend had no idea of what was going on.

• Health: Another major issue with old people is a constant narrowing down of health, and increasing medical expenses. You must review the medical insurance plans of your parents, and in case the policies do not have a sufficient cover or are not apt, you must immediately pay and upgrade or make the necessary modifications, since unexpected medical costs may become a burden.

• Associate with their advisors: Get in touch with your parents' financial advisors, meet them often, so that you are familiar with their investments, and also you'll be in a better position to understand and convey their specific requirements and goals.

• Keep a check: Be vigilant, keep an eye on their banking transactions. Monitor their payments, check if there are any outstanding bills or credit card payments, ensure that they are being paid in time, to avoid penalties, you may automate processes for them, authorize direct debit for regular payments. Educate them the benefit and usage of technology or try to do the tech stuff for them. You can become joint holders with your parents in their bank accounts, this will enable to monitor the transactions easily, you can also take decisions on their behalf, write cheques, etc.

• Estate planning: This is a very sensitive subject, but is equally important. Your parents have toiled throughout their life to build the assets that they have today. And they wish to transit the property to their loved ones. But in absence of a will, these assets will go as per the choice of law and not as per your parents'. So, in order to avoid such complications in future, you must make a move and ask your parent's about their estate transfer plans. You should discuss their plans and accordingly you may arrange for a professional will writer for them. If things are clear from the beginning, you can escape from undesirable consequences later.

• Phishing attacks: Senior citizens are the soft targets of phishing attacks. If you hear your Mom giving out her personal details, like her bank account number, passwords, address, etc. on phone or going to the bank to deposit money in someone's bank account because she won a lottery, you must intervene immediately. You must be vigilant and also educate and alert your parents about such misdeeds. Falling prey to such traps can be a huge setback for your parents and you may face severe financial loss.

You are the sandwich generation, you have take care of your kids as well your parents. It is better to prepare and plan. A little caution and effort on your part can have a productive impact on the financial health of your elders.

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