I Co-Signed My Daughter’s Mortgage—And Almost Lost My Retirement Fund

I wrote a check for $65,000 to help my daughter buy her first house. I thought I was being a good mother. Three months later, I realized I had put my own retirement at risk.

WHAT THIS VIDEO DELIVERS:
• The exact numbers that showed me the hidden cost of helping family without structure
• Why saying yes before doing the math can cost you $81,000 in taxes and lost growth
• The legal document I wish I had created on day one (promissory note walk-through)
• How to have the hard conversation about money with adult children without damaging the relationship
• A 7-step checklist you can use before helping any family member with a major financial decision

EPISODE CHECKLIST:
1. Pause before you promise: Give yourself 24 hours to check your own numbers
2. Run your own math first: Check income, expenses, savings, and margin
3. Talk to a professional before moving money: Financial advisor or CPA
4. Put it in writing: Create a formal loan agreement with terms and timeline
5. Have the hard conversation: Explain what the money represents in your life
6. Explore other options together: Is there another way to solve the problem?
7. Decide what happens if you die before it's paid off: Forgiveness or inheritance offset?

USEFUL RESOURCES:
• Social Security Administration
• IRS (for family loan rules and imputed interest)
• National Council on Aging (financial assistance programs
• Your State Attorney General (for scam reporting and consumer protection)

SCAM ALERT MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:
The IRS will never call you demanding immediate payment via gift cards. If someone claims to be from the IRS and threatens arrest, it is a scam. Hang up and call the official IRS number from their website.

EDUCATIONAL DISCLAIMER:
This video provides educational content only. It is not financial, legal, tax, or medical advice. Rules and regulations change. Always confirm current details with official sources and consult a qualified professional before making any major financial decisions.