About Tool

This book addresses the unique role grandparents play in shaping the financial future of grandchildren not just through funds or gifts, but by sharing wisdom and values about money. It draws on decades of author experience working with middle-class families and explores how grandparents can support grandchildren’s futures without jeopardizing their own retirement. The content covers legacy planning, communication strategies with adult children and grandchildren, and financial tactics tailored to later-life priorities. It’s part financial-planning guide, part family-values handbook aimed at a generation that wants to make a lasting impact.

Key Features

• Practical strategies for grandparents to deploy money + values (e.g., gifts, education funding, family conversations).
• Legacy-mindset insights: how financial decisions send messages about priorities, values and relationships.
• Real-world examples and case studies of family financial decisions from advisors’ experience.
• Guidance on balancing one’s own retirement security with inter-generational support.
• Discussion of emotional, relational and financial dimensions of grandparents’ role.

Pros:

• Offers a thoughtful perspective beyond pure investment/wealth books—focuses on family, legacy and values.
• Tailored specifically for grandparents—an often-overlooked group in financial planning literature.
• Written from practitioner experience with many real-life examples and actionable ideas.
• Helps readers translate abstract values into concrete financial actions (gifting, funding, conversations).

Cons:

• It is a book rather than interactive software; readers must apply ideas themselves rather than rely on tools or calculators.
• Some of the strategies may assume a moderate level of financial comfort or stability.
• As with any generic guide, personal family dynamics, tax situations or legal issues may require individualized advice from a financial professional.

Who is Using?

Smart Financial Grandparenting is used by grandparents, pre-retirees who want to support younger generations, family-financial advisors seeking resources for clients, and multigenerational families looking for structured ways to weave money and values together across generations.

Pricing

The book is available at an affordable one-time cost (often under $15 in digital or print editions). There is no ongoing subscription just a purchase and lifetime access to the content.

What Makes It Unique?

This guide stands out by focusing on the grandparent generation’s role in financial planning not just for their own retirement or for parents, but for grandchildren and the message behind money. It combines strategy for legacy giving with an emphasis on values, meaning and family dynamics, which many traditional financial-planning books do not address.

How We Rated It:

• Ease of Use: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ — Written in accessible language with clear chapters and action points.
• Features: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ — Strong mix of values-based discussion and practical tactics; lacks interactive budgeting tools.
• Value for Money: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ — Excellent value given its niche focus and actionable content for a one-time purchase.

Smart Financial Grandparenting is a valuable read for anyone in the grandparent role who wants to blend financial wisdom with meaningful family legacy. Its thoughtful guidance makes it ideal for those ready to act not just on money, but on the message their money sends. If you’re looking to support grandchildren’s futures while protecting your own retirement and strengthening relationships along the way, this book offers a solid roadmap to do so.