The Club Sandwich Generation: 5 Steps to Take Care of Yourself So You Can Take Care of Others

I recently saw a meme that was a screenshot of a person’s phone home screen. All of the notifications were requests for money.  

The first one was from the person’s mom, saying that she needed $300 for groceries. The second was from her kid’s school, reminding her the $75 field trip money was due today. The third was from the person’s “bestie” asking for $120 because her card got declined at the store. The fourth was from a cousin asking for $200 to pay the light bill because the power company was going to cut off service. And the last was from the fiancé, asking for $60 for lunch because he forgot his wallet at home.  

Within 10 minutes, this person was asked to give $755 to friends and family. The caption on the picture was, “Who’s getting help first and why?”  

While this may be a fictional meme to start a conversation on social media, this is a reality for many of my successful Latino clients.  

Latino families have often had multiple generations living under one roof, but due to rising longevity and declining economic stability, among other factors, multigenerational living is going mainstream. According to the most recent data available from the Latino Policy Forum, 32 percent of Latino households in the U.S. was multigenerational. And Pew Research Center reported that the share of the U.S. population living in multigenerational households more than doubled from 1971 to 2021 and continues to rise.  

This has led to a phenomenon called the “club sandwich generation.” We’ve long heard of the sandwich generation—people who are caring for both their own children and aging parents. But the club sandwich generation are those people who are caring for aging parents, children, and often their children’s children or extended family (like nieces and nephews—or in the case of the meme—cousins).  

Care.com reports that people in the club sandwich generation are not saving for retirement or building wealth because they are spending their own money caring for multiple generations. Senior Living found that 59 percent of people in their 50s are a part of this generation, though it also impacts people in their 40s.  

In so many Latino families, success is rarely an individual achievement. It ripples outward. It lifts up your parents, your children, and often your extended family. For many of us, caring for multiple generations isn’t a burden—it’s a reflection of who we are and what we value. It’s rooted in our culture, in our sense of responsibility, and in our deep belief that when one of us rises, we all rise. 

5 Steps to Strengthen Your Finances if You’re Part of the Club Sandwich Generation 

The club sandwich generation is the layer holding our families together. And while it is an honor to be that person in your family, it also brings financial pressure, emotional strain, and moments of real exhaustion. 

Over the years, I’ve learned that people in this situation don’t just need advice—they need a clear path. Below are the steps I guide my clients through so they can continue supporting their families without sacrificing their own future. 

Step 1: Get Clear About Your Current Responsibilities 

Before creating any financial plan, you need an honest picture of where you are starting. Ask yourself: 

• Who depends on me financially—and how often? 

• How much time does caregiving require? 

• Am I in a season of crisis, transition, or rebuilding? 

These questions can help ground you and clearly see the weight you’re carrying so that you can design a plan that reflects your actual life—not a fantasy version of it. 

Step 2: Focus on Increasing Your Income, Not Just Cutting Expenses 

Too many financial influencers assume overspending is the problem. But for the hardworking Latino caregivers I serve, the issue is usually limited income, not irresponsibility. 

This is why I start with a simple and powerful question: “I know I can’t, but if I could earn more money, what would I need to do differently?” 

This question opens the door to opportunity. I’ve seen clients receive $10,000, $20,000, even $30,000 raises because they: 

• Learned a new skill 

• Took on leadership responsibilities 

• Built the courage to talk to their employer for a raise (backing up their request with data and facts) 

• Leaned into monetizing their natural gifts and talents 

When you earn more, you gain dignity, breathing room, and the ability to plan for the future instead of constantly reacting to emergencies. 

Step 3: Build Your Wealth Confidence Budget 

Once income starts to shift, the next step is understanding exactly where your money goes. The Wealth Confidence Budget that I use with clients is designed for real families with real pressures. It: 

• Shows you where your money is flowing 

• Helps you align spending with your values 

• Creates awareness, not shame 

• Gives you back control 

This type of budgeting is about gaining clarity, not putting restrictions on yourself. And clarity becomes confidence. 

Step 4: Protect Yourself First—So You Can Continue Protecting Others 

When multiple generations depend on your income, protecting your financial foundation becomes an act of love. When I talk about protecting yourself, I’m talking about:  

• Improving your credit 

• Building an emergency fund (three to six months is ideal, but even more if you’re a caregiver) 

• Ensuring you have the right insurance (life, disability, health, liability) 

• Creating backup plans so your loved ones aren’t left vulnerable 

Stability is the greatest gift you can give your family. Protecting yourself so you can protect others isn’t selfish, it’s actually selfless.  

Step 5: Set Loving, Healthy Boundaries 

This is often the hardest step for the club sandwich generation. A boundary is not a rejection. It’s protection—for you and for the people who rely on you. Boundaries allow you to: 

• Continue helping without burning out 

• Say “yes” more intentionally 

• Teach your family to respect your limits 

• Preserve your financial goals 

• Support multiple generations sustainably 

You cannot carry everyone if you collapse under the weight. Boundaries ensure you stay strong enough to keep showing up. 

A Final Word of Encouragement 

As a member of the club sandwich generation, you are someone holding your family together, and I want you to hear this: You are doing sacred work. You are carrying responsibilities that many people will never understand. And you deserve support, clarity, and tools that match the magnitude of what you’re carrying.