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It’s no secret that many grandparents love to dote on their grandchildren. Some even provide them with financial support.
In fact, grandparents contribute an average of around $3,950 annually to their grandchildren through gifts, contributions to college funds and day-to-day expenses like groceries, according to a 2024 TheSeniorList.com survey of 1,209 Americans age 55 and older.
The survey also found that more than 1 in 4 older adults live more frugally so that they can support their grandkids, with half of that cohort reporting they’re willing to postpone retirement if necessary.
But couples don’t always align when it comes to grandparenting styles. Sometimes a grandparent is more inclined than their spouse to shower the grandkids with gifts.

Money Manners
Lizzie Post is AARP's financial etiquette columnist. She is the great-great-granddaughter of etiquette legend Emily Post. She’s also the co-president of The Emily Post Institute, co-author of Emily Post’s Etiquette: the Centennial Edition and co-host of the Awesome Etiquette podcast.
Our etiquette columnist weighs in on this hot-button subject.
My husband and I adore our grandchildren, but I think he’s going to spoil them rotten. He buys them anything they ask for — the latest toys, games, what have you. I don’t think it’s teaching them good habits, and I fear it’s even starting to put a strain on our retirement savings. How can I make him stop?
Those big eyes, those cute noses, those sweet voices — children have a way of making even the strictest adults melt and give in to their wishes.
I’m guilty of this with my niece and nephew. I love giving them sweet treats when they visit. I even purchased season tickets to our local college hockey team because my nephew went with me to two games the year prior, only for him to then lose interest.
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