Family Tech Support Cost Calculator
How much is helping your parent with technology really costing you? Most people dramatically underestimate the time, money, and emotional energy they spend on family tech support. Use this calculator to find out — and discover professional alternatives that might save you thousands.
Include phone calls, remote sessions, and in-person visits.
What is your time worth? (Used to calculate the real cost of your support time.)
How long does it take to get to your parent's home and back?
Count visits specifically for tech help.
Be honest - there's no judgment here.
Why This Matters
156 hours per year
The average adult child spends 3 hours per week on tech support for a parent — that is 156 hours per year, or nearly four 40-hour work weeks.
Relationship strain
Repeated tech frustrations can damage the parent-child relationship. Professional help keeps your visits focused on quality time.
Hidden travel costs
Gas, wear on your car, and the time spent driving add up fast — especially for "quick" visits that turn into 2-hour sessions.
Opportunity cost
Every hour spent troubleshooting WiFi is an hour not spent on your career, hobbies, family, or rest. Your time has real value.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this calculator work?▾
The calculator estimates the true cost of providing tech support by multiplying your weekly hours by your hourly value, then adding travel costs. It uses a simple formula: (hours/week x 52 weeks x hourly rate) + (visits/year x travel time x hourly rate) + (visits/year x gas cost).
What hourly value should I use?▾
Use your actual hourly wage if you work hourly, or divide your annual salary by 2,080 (52 weeks x 40 hours). If you are retired, consider what your time is worth to you - many retirees value their time at $25-50/hour. If unsure, we use $30/hour as a conservative national average.
Is it wrong to put a price on helping family?▾
Not at all. This calculator is not about being selfish - it is about awareness. Understanding the true cost helps you make informed decisions. Maybe you will decide the time is worth it. Or maybe you will find a professional service that handles the frustrating parts while you focus on quality time with your parent.
What are the best professional tech support options for seniors?▾
Popular options include Geek Squad Total Tech Support ($200/year for unlimited phone and chat support), AARP Tech Support powered by Allstate ($5/month), HelloTech for in-home visits ($50-100/visit), and free resources like Senior Planet classes and TechFor60s.com guides.
How can I reduce how much tech support my parent needs?▾
Focus on teaching independence rather than doing tasks for them. Set up their devices with simplified home screens, enable automatic updates, bookmark important websites, and share our free TechFor60s guides. Teaching a senior to check scams themselves using our Scam Checker tool eliminates one of the most common support requests.
What is caregiver burnout from tech support?▾
Tech support caregiver burnout happens when the emotional and time demands of constantly helping a loved one with technology become overwhelming. Signs include dreading phone calls, feeling irritable during help sessions, and avoiding visits. If you are experiencing this, it is important to explore professional support options or share the responsibility with other family members.