Another great post. I love reading your work over my morning coffee whenever you post.
As I start thinking more seriously about what to leave for my kids when I "pop" off (hopefully many many years from now), I spend more time wondering how to find the right balance between making life easier for them and helping them learn the value of money and hard work. Don't want them to grow up with a sense of entitlement. I worked hard to get to where I am. That said, I cannot hold a candle to my father's struggles - he started working to support his family (mother and two sisters) from the age of 15. Similar life stories on my wife's and in-laws' side - lots of hard work, simple lives and sweat equity to raise their family.
We have amazing, kind, generous kids...but they have no real-life sense of what it took for us or their grand parents (on both sides) to build a home and comfortable life.
Maybe I am over-thinking this. I am sure they will have their own life challenges along the way as they go through adulthood. As long as each generation makes life easier for the next..that is probably the best roadmap for life.
And thanks for the thoughtful comment here. I see where you're coming from on that balance.
My kids are under 4 so I have yet to reach that point where I start thinking about that balance; I'm in full accumulation mode. But as they get older--particularly high school age--I have no doubt I will need grapple with that same balance of wanting to provide but not warping their perception of money.
I don't know if there is research out there on this specific issue, but I will start looking soon.
A much more rational approach—and one that is perfectly in line with the life cycle model—would be simply to find a job you like, even if it pays less.
Another great post. I love reading your work over my morning coffee whenever you post.
As I start thinking more seriously about what to leave for my kids when I "pop" off (hopefully many many years from now), I spend more time wondering how to find the right balance between making life easier for them and helping them learn the value of money and hard work. Don't want them to grow up with a sense of entitlement. I worked hard to get to where I am. That said, I cannot hold a candle to my father's struggles - he started working to support his family (mother and two sisters) from the age of 15. Similar life stories on my wife's and in-laws' side - lots of hard work, simple lives and sweat equity to raise their family.
We have amazing, kind, generous kids...but they have no real-life sense of what it took for us or their grand parents (on both sides) to build a home and comfortable life.
Maybe I am over-thinking this. I am sure they will have their own life challenges along the way as they go through adulthood. As long as each generation makes life easier for the next..that is probably the best roadmap for life.
Cheers and enjoy your weekend!
Thanks!
And thanks for the thoughtful comment here. I see where you're coming from on that balance.
My kids are under 4 so I have yet to reach that point where I start thinking about that balance; I'm in full accumulation mode. But as they get older--particularly high school age--I have no doubt I will need grapple with that same balance of wanting to provide but not warping their perception of money.
I don't know if there is research out there on this specific issue, but I will start looking soon.
Cheers,
Ben
A much more rational approach—and one that is perfectly in line with the life cycle model—would be simply to find a job you like, even if it pays less.
I like that view