Fam Jam : Aligning Families on Financial Goals
Designing a tool that turns difficult money conversations into moments of connection and shared planning.
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DurationÂ
1 year
Team
Manasa, Surbhi and Tanya
Role
Lead Designer
Lead Designer
Money is the Conversation we avoid
The Problem
In Indian households, money shapes every major life decision—from education to retirement—yet it remains the most avoided topic. Families discuss sex, politics, and death more openly than financial goals, leaving young adults unprepared and parents carrying invisible burdens alone.
KEY FINDING
64%
Indian young adults rely on parental support for spending
66%
Parents don't discuss financial planning with children
THE HIDDEN COSTÂ
72%
Parents reported significant stress levels
RESEARCH & INSIGHT
three Core Problems Emerged
Research Approach
30 in-depth interviews across ages 21-65
(young adults, primary earners, retirees, financial professionals, and financial therapists.)
Literature review
Landscape analysis
Co-creation workshops
Concept testing with 5 industry experts
Methods
The Problem was Global.Â
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''I was around 30 years by the time I realised that planning is so crucial''
- S, (Primary Earner, 50)
Communication Gap → Delayed Planning
Problem 3
"They are the first priority... I have to take care of my mother and son... Later comes me."
Unspoken Burden → Guilt & Dependency
- M, (Primary Earner, 45)
Problem 2
- B, (Adult, 28)
Power Imbalance → Resentment
" No, it's all my dad. He takes all the responsibility. He doesn't talk. "
​
Problem 1
THEÂ SOLUTIONÂ
Designing for Connection, Not Compliance
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FamJam addresses the emotional roots of financial communication.
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Rather than another budgeting app, we designed a platform that gives equal voice to all family members, makes hidden responsibilities visible, and provides guided conversations.
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Building Blocks of Connection
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Goal Biome
 Rather than abstract budgeting, families plan around what matters to them like education, health, making discussions emotionally grounded.
PersonalizationÂ
FamJam begins by asking "How should we talk to you?"—honoring that financial conversations look different in every family.Â
Key FeaturesÂ
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Transparency Dashboard
Clear visibility into family financial responsibilities and commitments. Hidden burdens become visible and discussable.
Shared Planning
A collaborative workspace where all family members contribute equally. everyone sees and shapes the financial priorities together.
Outcomes & Impact
How did it change the experience?
Shifted DynamicsÂ
User testing showed families moved from top-down financial decisions to collaborative planning. Parents reported feeling less alone; young adults felt more informedÂ
Families could address uncomfortable topics (parent dependency, inheritance, support obligations) without blame or shame.
Enabled Difficult Converstions
The app wasn't positioned as a financial product, but as a family communication tool, reducing friction and increasing engagement.
Long term behavior changeÂ
100%
of testers completed the first conversation
4.5/5
average comfort rating
80%
wanted to continue planning
80%
wanted to continue planning
3+
generations engaged