What Dad Taught Me About Money, Finances, and Life

As Father’s Day approaches I am reminded of my dad, as many of you may be.  I like to generalize both Father’s Day and Mother’s Day to think about the men and women who have impacted our lives in a positive way.  Sometimes it is our parents and sometimes it isn’t.

When I think about my dad, I think about the teachings of money.  My dad never really “talked” to us about money rather he demonstrated and showed us about money.  I remember going to the bank every other Saturday to put a portion of our allowance in the bank.  It was a tradition. We would get up Saturday, drive down to the bank, and deposit our money.  I don’t remember what I was saving for, but I do remember how excited I was to watch my balance grow.  He showed me how to keep track of my money on a registry, fill out a deposit slip, and speak to the teller, remember this was before the days of internet and online banking.

I remember when I turned 16 and was ready to drive.  My dad came in my room and handed me the bill for my car insurance.  I took the bill and after he left the room I cried.  I thought, “How unfair, none of my friends had to pay for theirs.  Their parents all paid their car insurance and gas!”  What teenager doesn’t think his or her parents are “unfair”.  Unbeknownst to me my dad was teaching me valuable life lessons.  Some of these lessons were learning the value of money, how much things cost, hard work, appreciation, and the delay of gratification, something often lacking these days in our fast food, “have it now” world.  These life lessons have paid off in a BIG way as an adult.  I am glad to say I am financially sound.  When I look at many of my friends of the same age, many of them have an exuberant amount of debt, they live beyond their means, have no retirement, no ownership of anything, etc.

Looking back over my childhood I appreciate my dad and his teachings.  I appreciate how he taught me about money.  He created experiential learning, true life lessons and for that I am grateful.  Thanks Dad for teaching me how to make my piggy bank perpetually happy by keeping it fed!

~ Kate

PS – I would love to hear about the positive things your dad or someone like a dad has taught you.

by Katie Lemieux