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Recent College Graduates and Parental Support
Presented by:
Matthew Clayson Financial Advisor, CA Insurance License No. 0I01304
Cross Coastal Advisors
Needham Office : (781) 400-8641 mclayson@crosscoastaladvisors.com www.crosscoastaladvisors.com
197 First Avenue, Suite 250
Needham, MA 02494
Many recent college graduates are collecting their diplomas and promptly moving back into their childhood bedrooms.
The financial challenges are real for recent college graduates. The market for entry-level jobs has been turned upside-down by artificial intelligence. The costs of everything are going up briskly.
Parents are realizing the Bank of Mom and Dad might have to stay open a bit longer, but are hoping it isn’t forever.
Our panel discussion featured five economists and personal financial authors. The conversation about the intricacies of supporting adult children got surprisingly personal.
The following has been edited for clarity and length.
Oyin Adedoyin, Wall Street Journal personal finance reporter: Say you’re a parent of a recent college graduate who is struggling to land a job and asking for money. What do you say?
Laura Ullrich, economist at job-search site Indeed: I have a son who has just moved home who is actively seeking a job. If graduates, including my son, had a degree in nursing or early childhood education or electrical engineering, he probably would have a job. But he just finished a master’s in data science. That is the softest sector in our data.
Matt Schulz, author of “Ask Questions, Save Money, Make More: How to Take Control of Your Financial Life”: My son just finished his sophomore year and is in the business school. So I am not super thrilled about what you just said about data science prospects.
My general advice is the same as I give in many aspects of money: control what you can control. Maybe the biggest ‘control what you can control’ thing is just networking and getting out and meeting as many people as you possibly can.
Caitlin Zaloom, author of “Indebted: How Families Make College Work at Any Cost”: My son is in the next room. He just returned from his sophomore year of college and is madly doing all of the networking that you’re suggesting, Matt.
There’s a lot of pressure on young people to a degree that I have not seen before in my own research.
I think AI and the pressure that it’s putting on young people makes the sort of extended dependence on families—that has been going on for a couple of decades now—in some ways more explicit.
Oyin Adedoyin: When does it make sense as a parent to help your kid, even if it might cost you hard-earned retirement savings?
George Kamel, co-host on “The Ramsey Show” and author of “Breaking Free From Broke”: What we’re finding is a lot of parents are retiring with not a huge nest egg, and then robbing it to try to help their kids get a leg up, which in turn makes them a financial burden on the kids later on in life.
John Campbell, co-author of “Fixed: Why Personal Finance is Broken and How to Make it Work for Everyone”: Some people are in a more comfortable position because they own a home and the home has appreciated. It might well be a smarter move to take out a second mortgage and tap the home equity.
Laura Ullrich: I think it’s also really important to set expectations with your recent college graduates about what you are willing to do and what you are not. They may not want to come home after college and deliver food via DoorDash or Uber, but those opportunities are available.
Oyin Adedoyin: A lot of recent college graduates online are saying, “The economy is so bad that you might as well chase your dreams.” With the risk for entry-level jobs, they are thinking there is value in trying to strike gold with a music career or trying to be a famous internet personality. How long of a financial leash should parents extend to their children to pursue a long shot?
John Campbell: Think about the cost of living in different places. I live in a suburb of Boston that’s super expensive. I also have a weekend house in Biddeford, Maine, which is a former industrial town. And the contrast in the life that you see is very striking because in Biddeford, the rents are low, and young people can actually start interesting small businesses.
If they tried to do that in the Boston metro area, it’s almost impossible because of the cost of living.
Oyin Adedoyin: Say you want your recent college graduates to become more financially independent. Where do you start?
George Kamel: We took a call; it was a couple in their 80s trying to evict their daughter, who was in her 50s and still living at home. That’s a worst- case scenario, of course, but every parent’s fear is that your child never launches.
I just think one of the cruelest things you can do is to coddle your child in a false reality versus helping them figure out the real reality.
Caitlin Zaloom: As Americans, we carry this idea that kids should be autonomous from their parents and financially independent.
That’s the expectation, and that has become increasingly difficult. So that reality needs to be part of the conversation between parents and kids starting quite young.
Oyin Adedoyin: Is it better to get a loan from a family member or a bank?
George Kamel: I think I’d rather go to the mafia than to my parents, ’cause it creates a really awkward dynamic. Mom and dad see you going on that vacation when you owe them money, and the relationship changes.
I always tell people, “Do a gift, not a loan, if you wanna save the relationship.”
John Campbell: I could not agree more.
Matt Schulz: There are cases where borrowing from a parent makes all the sense in the world. My wife and I borrowed money for a down payment from my father-in-law for our first house, and he told me that it was a gift. And I told him, “We are paying you back,” and we did.
Oyin Adedoyin: Why is it so hard for parents to kick their children off of the family cellphone plan?
Caitlin Zaloom: Parents don’t think of paying for their kid’s cellphone as giving their kid money. It’s an extension of being part of the family.
John Campbell: It actually can be smart financially to pool cellphone usage into a family plan. But you can ask your recent college graduates to pay you the marginal cost of their presence in the plan.
George Kamel: It kind of feels like changing your bank. It’s just a little bit of a hassle, and nobody wants to go through with it, but I do think there is a symbolic level of independence when you’re covering your own bill under your name.
Write to Oyin Adedoyin at oyin.adedoyin@wsj.com
This Wall Street Journal article was legally licensed by AdvisorStream.
Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Information from third parties may be proprietary, privileged and/or confidential, any use, copying, retention or disclosure is strictly prohibited. Securities and investment advisory services offered through qualified registered representatives of MML Investors Services, LLC, Member SIPC. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and may not accurately reflect those of MML Investors Services, or its affiliated companies. Local firms are sales offices of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), and are not subsidiaries or affiliates of MassMutual, MML Investors Services, or their affiliated companies.
Dirty Dozen List of Pesticide -Contaminated Produce
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has released its highly anticipated annual Dirty Dozen report, ranking fruits and vegetables based on pesticide residue levels. This report relies on comprehensive data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, providing consumers with valuable insights into the produce they may want to include in their diets.
Dirty Dozen List**
The 2026 list reveals a concerning lineup of fruits and vegetables most likely to contain significant pesticide residues. These include:
- Spinach
- Strawberries
- Grapes
- Peaches
- Apples
- Blueberries
- Cherries
- Nectarines
- Kale, collard greens, and mustard greens
- Potatoes
- Pears
- Blackberries
Remarkably, nearly all conventionally grown produce samples tested positive for detectable pesticide residues, which underscores the extent of the problem.
In addition, this year’s report highlights the pervasive presence of PFAS, commonly referred to as “forever chemicals.” These substances are known for their durability in the environment and the human body. Among the findings, one pesticide was noted for its frequent occurrence across samples, especially in peaches and plums, raising concerns about its safety.
Clean Fifteen**
On a more positive note, the Clean Fifteen lists produce with the lowest pesticide residues, making them safer to buy conventionally. Many of these items have thick skins, natural pest resistance, or are grown in controlled environments. The 2026 Clean Fifteen includes:
- Pineapple
- Sweet corn (fresh and frozen)
- Avocados
- Papaya
- Onions
- Sweet peas (frozen)
- Asparagus
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Watermelon
- Mangoes
- Bananas
- Carrots
- Mushrooms
- Kiwi
Almost 60% of these items had no detectable pesticide residues, and only a small fraction contained multiple pesticides. Therefore, these foods are generally safe to purchase conventionally, although organic options can be chosen if desired.
Summary**
Experts emphasize that, regardless of whether fruits and vegetables are organic or conventionally grown, they remain safe to consume when handled properly. In fact, the health benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables far outweigh any potential risks from pesticide exposure. To reduce these risks, consumers should wash their produce thoroughly under running water. Additionally, choosing frozen or canned alternatives can also be a smart option.
Provided by Cleary Insurance, Inc. This content is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.
War in Iran Is Driving Costs Up -Here Are Ways to Save
Presented by: Matthew Clayson
Matthew Clayson is a Financial Advisor at Commonwealth Financial Group. He is a registered principal of, and offers investment advisory and financial planning services through, MML Investors Services, LLC, Member SIPC (www.sipc.org).
Aimee Ortiz
March 13, 2026
The widening war in Iran is now in its third week, and American consumers are already feeling the effects of rising gasoline prices, with the price of food and other essentials likely to follow. For consumers already reeling from inflation and a cooling job market, the fallout from the war presents another financial challenge. Even if the conflict were to end today, economists warn, the economic impact is likely to linger.
We reached out to some experts for advice consumers could follow to minimize the impact on their pocketbooks.
At the Gas Pump
With the average cost of gasoline reaching $3.598 Thursday, according to AAA data, drivers searching for ways to save have a few options.
Reducing highway speeds by 5 to 10 mph can increase fuel economy by as much as 14%, said Aixa Diaz, a AAA spokesperson. That’s because the fuel economy for most cars peaks at around 50 mph before dropping off.
Excessive idling can also waste gas, she said, as can driving with low tire pressure.
“If your tire pressure is low, your car’s going to be working harder, and then you’re just wasting fuel,” Diaz said.
Drivers should remove any extra weight from their vehicles, Diaz said. If you’re still lugging around furniture that you keep meaning to donate but never do, now is the time to finally drop it off, she said.
And Diaz encouraged drivers to sign up for gas-station rewards programs to earn points for discounts on fuel purchases. At the pump, she said, drivers should skip premium-grade gas, which is more expensive, in favor of regular gas, if their vehicle takes it — and most do.
Many vehicle owners’ manuals recommend premium gas, but “recommended and required are two different things,” Diaz said, adding, “Most cars are perfectly fine with just regular gasoline.”
On the Road
Gas prices are typically higher in the spring and summer, when more people drive, but the conflict in the Middle East has accelerated the seasonal ascent, Diaz said.
Drivers planning a road trip can make use of free travel tools, such as AAA’s TripTik, which shows gas stations, electric vehicle charging stations, hotels, campgrounds, restaurants, and attractions along planned routes. One benefit, Diaz said, is it keeps drivers on track, avoiding detours that can burn more gasoline and lead to unnecessary spending. The motor club also offers a gas-cost calculator that can estimate your car’s fuel costs.
Apps like Waze use real-time traffic data to direct drivers to the shortest (and therefore the most efficient) routes. And the GasBuddy app directs drivers to the cheapest gas near them.
Diaz said drivers also should be mindful of where they spend their money on road trips. Often, gas stations near highway exits are more expensive than those a few miles away. If you have enough gas, it may be worth driving a few more minutes to find a better price.
Snacks add up, too. Avoid gas station convenience stores, Diaz said, and instead stock up on treats at your local grocery store before your trip even begins.
At Home and the Grocery Store
Rising oil prices affect virtually all goods, not just at the gas pump.
“Anything that you buy that gets delivered by truck is going to be more expensive because diesel’s gone up,” said Daniel Burnside, a clinical professor in finance at the University of Rochester’s Simon School of Business.
Burnside said there are simple ways to save money.
That could mean taking public transportation instead of driving, washing your clothes in cold water to save on energy costs, cutting back on subscriptions you don’t use, or delaying purchases of anything you don’t really need, he said.
Describing the drive to save money as “an evergreen problem,” Burnside said, “You could use all the techniques that worked last week, it’s just now it seems more urgent because all of a sudden all your costs are going up.”
c.2026 The New York Times Company
This New York Times article was legally licensed by AdvisorStream
Information from third parties may be proprietary, privileged, and/or confidential; any use, copying, retention, or disclosure is strictly prohibited. Securities and investment advisory services offered through qualified registered representatives of MML Investors Services, LLC, Member SIPC. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and may not accurately reflect those of MML Investors Services or its affiliated companies. Local firms are sales offices of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), and are not subsidiaries or affiliates of MassMutual, MML Investors Services, or their affiliated companies.