10 Lessons On Life And Money From Dad8.5102When it comes to raising kids, every parent is like a multi-purpose professor. You teach them about nutrition, ethics, history, math, reading, writing... The list goes on and on and on... and sometimes, you have teach subjects that you're not exactly proficient in (like sewing - I knew how to thread the needle, and then just made the rest up!)  But there's one topic that tons of parents (me included) have trouble with and that's money.

So when I found this article that summarizes the top 10 lessons one man learned from his dad it reminded me so much of my dad that I had to share it.  So, I only spent a few weeks a year with my dad growing up, but he made a huge impact on my money blueprint - and apparently so did this guy's dad... there aren't any specifics like, what's a good interest rate or which industry sector to invest in, but I think these money lessons are some good basics for leading a fulfilling life.

Also, I don't think Dads always get the credit they deserve, so here are some of my favorites from the article (with my notes in on the end of each point )...

10 Money and Life Lessons I Learned from My Father

From ThinkYourWayToWealth.Com

My Dad is a pretty great guy, and I have learned a lot from him over the years. Our relationship has not always been perfect, but one thing he did do, although sometimes it took me quite a while to notice, was set a good example when it came to money and life issues. Even though it took me many years in some cases, and I haven’t quite mastered them yet, I realized as I got older that many of the things he did were quite frugal, and that by not giving me everything I asked for, he was teaching me to work for things I wanted. Now, I took that to an extreme for a while and spent too much of the money I earned, but I may have never gotten on the right track financially if he hadn’t set such a good example. Here are 10 lessons about life and money I learned from him:

1. Don’t try to buy your children’s affection- This one is hard for me, I have trouble saying “No” to my kids sometimes. But I was certainly not spoiled as a child, lets put it that way. By not giving in to everything a child asks for, you are teaching them the value of money and that “things” aren’t everything. And by making your kids work for things they want when they are old enough to, they can learn the value of “earning” a dollar.

--  This is so hard for me!  It is often so much easier to just say yes then to either argue with them over or see the sad face of disappointment or simply because I want them to have everything in life.  At the end of the day I agree with this man that we need our kids to understand (as we also need to remember as parents) that "things" are not what brings us happiness and joy.

3. Drive a car into the ground- My Dad drove an old Toyota for many years, several (probably more than several) years without A/C down here in hot, steamy, south Louisiana. I am still not sure how he did that, because I am not sure if I could drive without A/C. But not having a car note for so many years can allow you to save quite a bit of money.

--  I agree here!  My dad always drove his cars FOREVER and I don't carry a car note, I pay mine in full and then enjoy 1 glorious year with it until I change my mind and trade it for something else!  LOL  But I do buy used so I don't have to suffer through the agony of it losing thousands in value as soon as I drive away!

5. Plant a garden- My Dad has always, even to this day, planted a vegetable garden every year. It is one of his hobbies, but it also provides vegetables, herbs, and other items cheaper than the grocery store, and it also gives you something to do, with your kids as well if you have them.

--  Gardening is one of my passions!  Sydney and Maddy love to help me as well, we eat raw and vegetarian (as much as possible ) so having a garden is my favorite way to 1. spend time with my girls 2. feed us healthy food and 3. feel connected to the earth. My dad always had a huge garden and some of my earliest memories are in my grandfather's garden!

8. You don’t have to spend a lot of money creating family memories - Go fishing, take small vacations that don’t cost a lot, spend time with your kids and get involved with their activities and lives.

The girls and I spent 2 days canoeing and camping on a river in Northern Florida

--  I totally agree here!  While I love traveling with my girls and taking

them to see the world, some of my favorite times with them are at local

campgrounds where we build fires, go canoeing and play games together.

We can have an awesome 3 day weekend this way for less than $50

9. Eat at home most of the time- We had burger night, homemade pizza night, and a few others I remember when I was a kid. It is a lot cheaper than eating out, and healthier too.

--  I like this post, I never ate out at restaurants as a kid except the occasional night at Pizza Hut when I got a 'Book It' Award   Plus, the bonus here is that studies have shown families that eat together have happier, well rounded kids!

Click to see all 10 on his list >>

So, here's to all you dads out there, remember that you create memories and teach lessons that your children remember well into adulthood, and that they they will likely teach their kids too. Thanks for all you do!

Melissa

P.S. I don't remember any lessons about money from my mom...why is that? Do you think kids learn money lessons easier from the male role models in their life? What other lessons do think dad's are really good at teaching?