Becoming Empty Nesters Gave Us a Raise (Ep 201)

In this episode, we reflect on the surprising perks of becoming empty nesters and how having adult kids finally led to an unexpected financial "raise." We walk through our hands-on approach to teaching financial responsibility, what it really cost to support our kids through high school and college. Today we’re reclaiming both our budget and our dinner receipts now that they’re independent.

Along the way, we share laugh-out-loud stories, hard-earned lessons, and practical tips for families hoping to set up their children and themselves for success. Key Moments & Timestamps We realized we’d gotten a financial "raise" when our youngest started earning her own paycheck and no longer needed our regular deposits 13:53.

Our strategy of giving a set allowance instead of handling countless requests taught our kids real-life budgeting skills and sometimes in hilarious ways, like discovering $30 in monthly cookie spending 02:52. We share the eye-opening total we spent supporting our children across their teen and college years which was about $45,000.

Running these numbers made us rethink some big decisions 12:16. The discussion explored practical safeguards for big purchases (like matching car savings, not just handing our kids a new vehicle) and why we think letting kids learn money lessons early at home is essential 18:45.

We reflect on how our own upbringings informed our approach and why keeping conversations about money open with our adult kids has set a strong financial foundation for the whole family 21:05. We wrap up with take-home tips for parents on starting small, building boundaries, and using allowances as a "safe sandbox" for financial learning 27:39.

Why You Should Tune In This episode is packed with relatable stories, honest confessions about financial missteps, and actionable advice for parents who want to raise money-savvy kids while still keeping sanity (and a sense of humor). If you're a parent thinking about allowances, prepping your teen for college, or just wondering how life and money change as your kids grow up, we deliver real-world perspective and encouragement.

Tune in if you want to laugh, learn, and walk away with practical steps to strengthen your family’s financial future no matter where you’re starting from. Who is this episode for?

We made this episode for parents and guardians navigating the transition from raising kids to guiding adult children, as well as anyone interested in teaching financial responsibility across generations. Whether you’re starting your first allowance conversation or looking for the light at the end of the tuition tunnel, you’ll find wisdom, empathy, and a few good laughs right here with us.

Our website: Get Ericka's book, Naked and Unashamed: 10 Money Conversations Every Couple Must Have Check out our local TV spotlight Connect with us: Instagram: @forbetterandworth YouTube: @forbetterandworth Ericka: @erickayoungofficial Chris: @1cbyoung