Disturbing factors about today's economy are telling us to explore ways to create systems for the generation and protection of family wealth through coming decades. If we can't depend on lifetime employment or pensions or Social Security, we'd better create our own backup systems.

I see at least ten disturbing economic factors that threaten the incomes of both workers and retirees..soaring public debt, soaring private debt, pension-fund shortfall, unpredictable firings, unemployment, employment without retirement benefits, Artificial Intelligence, robotics, "gig" employment, and the soft-pedaled (so far) government plan that would take Trillions in cash from private retirement accounts and replace it with whatever scant "government guaranteed" income could be derived from Treasury IOUs. 

Only fifty years ago, a worker employed by a corporation could look forward to guaranteed lifetime employment followed by guaranteed retirement and medical benefits.

How things have changed.

Maybe we've outsmarted ourselves with our "labor-saving" devices. In today's world more and more work is being done by fewer and fewer workers.Just think about how many fewer workers would be required to build The Pyramids today. I'm thinking this could be one of the last generations in which a massive human workforce is required... and, IF SO, today's workers may be among the last who have the opportunity to create and fund private, family wealth generation systems.

Our Futurists may already be able to tell us what potential employees have to look forward to during the next fifty years. It's easy to see how the Industrial Revolution brought obsolescence and extinction of jobs and professions... the pace of which is accelerating. Of course, Futurists would say the trend will also birth some new jobs and professions, but the process of change is so fast that it may be difficult for anyone to anticipate what the nature of work will be even five years from now.

No doubt some will say that this is a volatile time, and not the ideal time for anyone to begin generating Family Wealth. But, I've lived through a variety "times" and none of them seemed ideal. So, THIS time, may not seem ideal, but it's the BEST time to begin anything... and it may be the ONLY time given to us. The time and substance that's ours is our starting point. All of us would like to have a huge family forest of oak or pine trees, but most of us would have to start by digging little holes for acorns and seedlings.

I'm not writing this as an expert on the economy or on futurist trends or on investing or on the generation of Family Wealth, but, I can see years of uncertainty ahead, years in which we may look back and wish we'd done something to insure "safety nets" and "opportunity funds" for our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. 

So, what do we do... bearing in mind that I'm not writing this for the 1% or even the 10% because I assume folks with their resources already have Family Wealth systems. Where might we, who may be living on an already tight budget, begin?

We know that Savings Accounts aren't the answer.We know that most investors lose money in the stock market. We know that return on bonds is hardly worth the investment... even if it yields a wisp of profit. Flipping real estate isn't something I'd want to try. I think there's money to be made--eventually--from precious metals, but, it seems to require the patience of Job, and the will to wait.You may

be among the fortunate whose present income permits long-term

family wealth provision, but, if not, how could you do it?

How one generates funds for a Family Wealth Fund will be highly individual, and it will likely test resourcefulness and creativity. If you're starting small, or starting from scratch, get very basic. What can you and your family do to increase and maximize new streams of income? What are your talents, skills, abilities, interests,sidelines, hobbies, avocations, pleasures? What training do you have? What do you KNOW? What have you always dreamed of doing? What do you need to do to harness your untapped potential? There must be a hundred "jobs" that most of us could do... if we chose to do so. What can you do for people that they don't, won't, or can't do for themselves?

I'm not saying to change your work, job, or profession, but you might do well to think of how the person you are--with your potential--can ADD prospering dimensions to your life without sacrificing too much. Now, you might love Monday Night Football, but if your Family Future meant being away from television on Monday nights, could you make that sacrifice? Could you watch the re-broadcast on Tuesday night?

What are your priorities? What priorities are you establishing for your family? Americans' runaway household debt signifies undisciplined, misplaced, or misguided priorities. What can you NOT buy? Is a new car absolutely necessary? A new roof might be necessary, but is a new kitchen floor? Does your home have to look like the professionally decorated ones in the magazines? How many of your "possessions" belong to some lender? What portion of your income goes to lenders? I'm not suggesting austerity, and I'm not saying to destroy your credit cards. How can your live well now... and live responsibly... with new priorities set on living well later?

One of your first steps toward Future Family Wealth will include a lot of research on the Internet... and it may include some telephoning, and even leg work as you come to some conclusions about what's right for you and your family. Get the family involved. They should realize that it's their future that's at stake. 

In your research, you might want to talk with insurance providers about how life insurance can benefit a Family Wealth Fund.

I think your success is much more likely if you employ ways of using corporate structures to house and to shield your assets from taxes, suits, probate, and the unexpected crisis. You might want to consider a Trust. But, establishing corporations and trust systems will bring initial and continuing costs. Some may have fees. All will require continuing administration but decide now to pay the price. 

Years ago I tried to convince my Mom, who had worked hard and saved all her life, to put her assets in a family trust, but she could never bring herself to do it. She had vivid memories of her father dying as the Great Depression began, and I think having her money in her account gave her a sense of security. She never said she saw a Trust as an unnecessary expense, but I'm sure that's how she felt. Later, when she unexpectedly had to go to a nursing home, I was thankful she never asked who was paying for her care. I think it might have hastened her death if she's known that her dwindling assets were going to the nursing home. I'm grateful for her comfort and excellent care, but I know Mother thought her money would benefit her family.

One fellow, whose thoughts, experience, and writings have stimulated my thinking, is Bill Bonner. A few years ago he set up a Family Office which will continue managing family wealth in the event of his death. I think he was influenced by the way "old moneyed families" have controlled and enhanced assets--some for hundreds of years. 

Maybe it's the "stewardship" I picked up from my early Methodism, but I would like to see Americans graduate from the "spend it all before you die" attitude.I consider money a blessing to be passed along. I figure that more lives have been crippled by lack of money than by its unwise use.

We know that a currency backed by gold is a stronger currency, and I'm a strong believer that money is an outer symbol of underlying, and "backing," spiritual substance.I believe that prospering thought strengthens our ties to The Source and that sound money management shows our wisdom, respect, and gratitude. I feel blessed in sharing this, and I hope my thoughts stimulate and motivate you to insure the well being of loved ones of generations unborn, who will be thanking you for your foresight.