How Much Will Being a Caregiver Cost You?

Caregiving can run the gamut from checking in on an elderly neighbor once a week to helping an older or disabled loved one function daily in his or her home. Though there are those who make a living caring for others, millions of them nationwide provide services that go unpaid -- namely, folks who care for family members in need. And while it's clear that caregiving can take an emotional toll on those who provide it, it can take a financial toll as well.

An estimated 40 million U.S. adults act as caregivers in some capacity, according to a new Merrill Lynch study, and they collectively spend $190 billion per year to serve in those roles. Now, the flip side there is that those who are willing to provide care end up saving their loved ones roughly $500 billion by helping them avoid paying for professional services.

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Source: Fool.com