Case Study: Caring for Mom and Saving for College

A tax-aware plan to support a nearby parent while keeping retirement and kids’ goals on track.

THE FAMILY STORY

Elise and Matt, a Newton couple with two teenagers, were juggling peak careers while Elise’s nearby mom needed more help each week. Three generations depended on their decisions, and the family calendar was chaotic.

Questions piled up and stalled action: If Elise reduces hours, how do we keep college and retirement on track? If assisted living comes soon, what’s the plan—and what happens if we need to sell Mom’s house?

When they came to Sachetta, we built a tax-aware plan: showed the impact of various scenarios for Elise's reduced schedule, kept retirement and kids’ savings moving with a steady contribution schedule, and added a simple rhythm of check-ins since life is moving fast. 
Helping mom stay in her home Newton MA 4x3

THE FAMILY PLAN

The plan centered on five priorities: steady retirement progress, managing kids’ costs, a clear path for Mom’s care and assets, and coordinated legal details so decisions felt paced, not rushed:

  1. What-if Scenario Planning: Using our financial planning software, we modeled options for Elise's reduced work and the impact on saving/investing. Elise chose a one-year reduced schedule to help Mom with daily living, tour assisted-living communities, and to prepare to sell the house.

  2. Retirement savings and taxes: We right-sized Elise's contributions with clear targets and a steady contribution cadence. We also evaluated a potential Roth conversion in the family's lower income year. We set tax withholding and quarterly estimates to match the plan.

  3. Kids’ costs with predictability: We recommended setting a monthly reserve for activities and near-term school expenses. College funding continued on schedule to avoid last-minute lump sums (capturing any available state tax benefits). 

  4. Mom’s care and assets: Through conversations about care, it became clear that Mom also needed financial advice. She opted to become a client. We helped her understand her budget for assisted living and introduced the family to a professional who can help them navigate their options for this important decision. When she's ready to move, we'll manage the tax planning and then invest the house proceeds in a diversified portfolio aligned to her needs and timeline.

  5. Coordination with attorneys: We introduced the family to an estate attorney. Elise and Matt, and Mom updated their trusts, powers of attorney, health-care proxies, and beneficiaries. Now all of their documents are organized and easily accessible in a secure digital vault.

ACTIONS IN THE FIRST 90 DAYS

The first 90 days focused on clarifying options, steadying the savings rhythm, and lining up the right specialists—so larger moves could be made calmly and at the right time.

  • Model “what-if” work scenarios (full-time, reduced schedule, short leave) and their impact on cash flow and retirement so Elise and Matt could decide what's best for their family.
  • Set a steady contribution schedule for retirement and 529s, and created a monthly reserve for kids’ activities and near-term school costs.
  • Update withholding and quarterly estimated taxes. 
  • Introduce the family to a senior-living placement professional to help evaluate assisted-living options and timing.
  • Review Massachusetts estate exposure and engage an estate-planning attorney to create trusts, and review POAs, health-care proxies, and beneficiaries.

RESULTS

Retirement kept pace. Kids’ costs were predictable. Mom's care had a clear path forward. Each month came with a next step—not a scramble.

WHAT'S YOUR STORY?

If this feels familiar, a coordinated plan would likely focus on similar priorities—paced decisions, tax-aware timing, and clear next steps.

  • Keep retirement on track while caregiving

  • Make kids’ costs predictable 

  • Support aging parents emotionally and support their financial future

  • Use tax projections to time withdrawals and larger moves, then follow a planned cadence
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You bring your what-ifs.

We'll bring a plan. 

One advisory team, one coordinated plan—planning and taxes under one roof for fewer surprises and steadier decisions.

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Read more about how Sachetta helps families balancing aging parents and  kids manage their complex financial lives and reach their goals.

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Behind every financial plan is a real life—full of deadlines, family goals, and important decisions. This story reflects the kinds of challenges our clients bring to us, and how we build calm, clear strategies in response. While this story is fictional, the strategies are true to life.

Disclaimer: Action plans and results are shown for illustrative purposes only, are not indicative of any specific Sachetta client, and will vary based on each client’s individual circumstances and objectives.

Last updated September 11, 2025.