I often write about personal responsibility and understanding/predicting behavior of people based on money. It seems like money is the most powerful influence in American culture. We want more of it but don't handle it well sometimes and get into trouble. We want it to come easy or we cry for fairness and think I should be able to make that much or have those things.
In our household, the two oldest kids don't get allowance. For a period of a year or more they had weekend jobs and if they DID THE WORK, they were paid $5. $2 they saved, $2 they could spend and $1 they would give to help other people.
They learned patience but ultimately they did not care about having money all that much because they stopped working...btw I stopped paying them because they were not working.
Now Maddie is 14 and has a regular job and works a little on the weekend, those same lessons apply and she is saving much of her income.
Here is the point, her expenses are covered by us, but we feel like it's our responsibility to help her learn to manage those funds and learn patience to save and pay "cash" for items...
What if our government officials thought like parents? What if they would strive to educate and empower Americans to be free from debt and to manage themselves well? People could choose to live simple or to live extravagant if they can afford that as well.
It seems like our current system is based on an advertising model that EVERYONE ELSE IS HAPPIER THAN YOU BECAUSE THEY HAVE _____ THINGS. Well, I am happy and I don't have half those things even though I could afford them. What about you? Could you be happy with less???? It's a great mental exercise. Try it, I dare you.
3 comments:
I believe that our society should be realigned as to organize a better way of living for people, and if our society was more like a family, (in that the government empowered and educated people, as you said) it would benefit all.
I've definitely done that mind exercise before, and it's an eye-opener to imagine a life with no appurtenances, definitely.
I love your work, keep it up!
Lauren
http://lettersoflate.blogspot.com/
being debt free is the key to success! too many people nowaways do not know how to handle their money. keep up the good work of passing your knowledge to your children.
Great Blog David! Let me know if you ever need any P/T help at the camp. I've got a kid over here who could use a couple lessons in personal responsibility and money management.
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