Does your bank account resemble this little piggy? There’s a few coins jumbling around, but not much in case of emergency?
Money is such a huge issue. I don’t know one person (including me!!) who hasn’t, at some point, complained about money. And I don’t recall one of those people complaining that they had more than they knew what to do with. Funny, huh? And how is it that the person with 2x as much as me complains about not having enough, while the person with so much less seems to be surviving?
Oh! I take that back. There is one person I know who I don’t recall ever having complained about money. My grandma. I’m not saying she never has complained, but I have honestly never heard her. And, if there ever was a person who had a right to, it would be her.
She absolutely grew up in the depression, though I’m not sure if her family would really have noticed a difference. She is an immigrant, and I think she and her immediate family had to fight for every opportunity, every job, every benefit that we take for granted, and I’m not sure how much victory they had in achieving those benefits for themselves. But I know that I am thankful for their lifelong efforts. I reap the benefits.
What I do know is that she’s a survivor, and a provider. She raised 5 children, helped to raise some of her 12 grandchildren, and is now great-grandma to 5 (number 6 on the way—-no! not me!) more children who will be able to hear the story of this amazing woman whose victorious, strength-filled life made theirs’ possible.
Okay, so this post was supposed to be about how we are trying to teach our kids good money habits when we’re still struggling to figure it out ourselves. Instead, I’m reminded of the legacy of my family, and am forced to recognize the wealth that I already have, to help those who have less (because there are always are people with less), and am compelled to do it all with love and grace. Thanks, Grandma.
BTW-For those tips and thoughts I might have shared, head on over to 1SmartMom and check out her post on teaching kids about money. She mentions Dave Ramsey, so it’s got to be good!
sure am glad you’re enjoying my camera! and no, I don’t want it back, at the moment.
Thanks for the jolt,and the comments.It is interesting to connect with others who are changing the way they think about money. It is really hard to do when everything else tells you to get the instant gratification. But if grandma can do it, so can I.
Thanks again, Angel
Titi: I am enjoying it! Now, if I could just get the disk downloaded on your computer so I could empty it and take more than 10 photos at a time! Or maybe I’ll run out and get my own disk. Thanks for letting me long-term borrow it.
Angel: Happy to jolt! You’re the first one I’ve actually made it out to since I signed up a while ago. I enjoyed your post. Enough of us together, and maybe we can change, via the next generation, the view of money and what really comprises a “need.” Here’s hoping.
I am worried that my kids are learning that mummy works very, very hard and has nothing to show for it. At least I have no debts and refuse to go into the minus land, so that is something.
As long as I can teach them the difference between “I need” and “I want”, I’ll be happy.
Kate: No debts? That’s huge!!! Anymore, and the general attitude is, “I’m always going to be in debt, so I may as well have what I want when I want it.” I think you are, by example, teaching your kids a great lesson. I hope my kids know the difference between “I need” and “I want”. I hope, unlike me, it just becomes part of who they are. I know I’m still fighting it!