1. through the resources, support, or connections provided by one's family members
He succeeded in his career by family means, using connections his parents provided.
Ele teve sucesso em sua carreira por meios familiares, usando as conexões que seus pais proporcionaram.
2. with financial or material support from family members
She paid for her education by family means rather than taking out loans.
Ela pagou sua educação por meios familiares em vez de contrair empréstimos.