It sounds like a cute word to describe something, but if you didn’t already know what it meant, what is the sandwich generation? It literally means as it entails, and to at least show you some visual, is someone being squeezed like the contents of a sandwich by two pieces of bread. This is a term that is meant to describe the stage of life where adults find themselves in a pinch having to provide for both their children and their parents, and usually, this is experienced by middle-aged adults. 

Now, the sandwich generation is not a particular group of people that were born between specific years and shared certain characteristics. It is a phenomenon, unlike the ages we’ve come to know, such as baby boomers who are described to be born after the Second World War and are go-getters. On the other hand, Generation X-ers are researched to have an ultra-independent streak after being raised as latch-key kids. Millennials are known to be avid users of social media and care about social justice. However, they may all be different; what these generations have in common is being part of the sandwich generation in general. 

Amost every middle-aged adult will have to come to this point eventually. They havie  an age where you will be stuck in the middle-- taking care of your aging parents who are at the retirement age while tending to your children and saving up for their healthcare and education. This is limited to supporting them financially and applies to being there for them mentally and emotionally, which is not easy. This is why adults in the sandwich generation are undeniably drained, having to switch from taking care of children and then aging adults. They each require their own and different methods of care. 

Being in a pandemic now doesn’t make things easier for these caretakers. Having to primarily work from home with some also being fired from their regular day jobs, this responsibility is all the more complicated. So if you are at this point in your life and you’re looking for some hint of light at the end of the tunnel, read on to find out more!



Here are 3 Tips for The Sandwich Generation: Paying for College and Retirement

1. Start Saving as Early as You Can

People in the sandwich generation probably either had an idea they would end up at this point in life or probably did not expect that they would get here at some point. There is no in-between. However, expected or not, starting to save early is definitely something everyone should start looking into because of the many benefits it has. Such as early financial independence, garnering life experiences and connections that might be useful when you are about to apply for new jobs or positions that would definitely look good in your resumè. 

2. Be Honest With Your Struggle

Public opinion tends to be actually more critical abouttaking care of aging parents than their adult children.  Why?   Because theory goes, aging parents might not be able to take care of themselves like they used to, but growing children that are on the brink of entering adulthood can start being self-sufficient as they try to enter the workforce being that they are capable. Having said that, you may be honest to your child on where your finances lie so they can be made aware of your resources. This can either mean they would be more careful with additional costs or they can take part-time jobs. There are available part-time jobs for college students that can actually be helpful not just to your adult kid,  but also to you as well. They might not be expected to pay for bills, but at least they can start saving for themself and ask for less support from you financially. By opening up about your hardships, it can also lighten the emotional toll on you which could help give you a better time. 

3. Know That It Is Absolutely Ok To Take Things Slow

There may be pros to settling your debts earlier on, such as paying off student loans ahead of time but know that it is totally up to you on how you would pace things and that it is absolutely ok to take things slow. You can take your time saving up for it and deal with more urgent and pressing concerns first. Plus,  remember to take a rest every now and then because it is always better to prevent getting sick yourself than having to spend on extra things such as healthcare and medicine since, in recent times, pensions and healthcare have become less-reliable and rewarding. 

Always remember that at the end of the day, you may have this responsibility as both a child and parent, but it doesn’t mean that you have to carry all this weight on your own shoulders. Know that you can always be honest and lean and depend on your family, too.