The Financial Dependence Check

Supporting the people you love can be one of the best uses of financial success. In many families it isn't even a choice; it's an expectation you were raised with. This check isn't here to tell you whether you should support anyone. It's here to help you see clearly what your support is doing, for them and for you. There are no right answers. About 4 minutes.

How many adults outside your household currently rely on you for recurring financial support? *

About how much do you provide each month to support adults outside your household? ($/month) *

If your support stopped tomorrow, how many of these people would face an immediate financial crisis? *

None

3 or more

How many of these arrangements have a clear purpose or an agreed end point? *

All of them

Most

Some

None

About how much do you invest each month toward your own long-term financial independence? ($/month) *

Look at those two numbers side by side. What do you notice? (optional)

Have you ever felt frustrated or resentful about support you originally offered willingly? *

Never

Once or twice

Sometimes

Often

Have past acts of generosity created expectations you now feel obligated to keep meeting? *

Not at all

A little

Somewhat

Very much

Do you continue any support mainly because stopping would cause conflict, disappointment or guilt? *

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Often

If your income rose significantly, would the financial expectations of those around you rise too? *

Unlikely

Possibly

Likely

Almost certainly

Thinking of the one person you support most: what is your support mainly meant to accomplish? *

Getting them through an emergency or immediate problem

Covering ongoing living costs

Helping them reach a specific goal so they need less support over time

Building their skills, income, business or assets so they can support themselves and others

Honestly, I'm not sure

Over the past 12-24 months, has this person become more financially capable? *

Much more capable

Somewhat more capable

About the same

Less capable

How long has your support for this person been in place? *

Less than 6 months

6 months to 2 years

2 to 5 years

More than 5 years

Your Financial Dependence Profile is ready to be prepared.

You'll see where your support falls on the Rescue > Support > Transition > Empowerment spectrum, how you score on five dimensions (Financial Load, Boundary Clarity, Personal Cost, Dependency Risk and Empowerment Effect), and the questions worth sitting with next.

First Name *

Email *

Your responses are used only to prepare your profile and related Wealth by Design content. This assessment is educational and is not financial, tax or legal advice.

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