- I observed my mother stretch every dollar, and through her example, I learned how to create genuine wealth.
- My career in finance allowed me to understand how to increase my money over time.
- Now, I make sure my children focus less on their salaries and more on saving and investing.
I can vividly remember my mother at the kitchen table, meticulously organizing piles of bills. There was a steady rhythm to her tasks — writing checks, balancing the checkbook, and stretching each dollar to ensure we had enough for meals, utilities, and the unforeseen expenses that arose.
I didn’t grasp the significance at the time, but I was witnessing something profound. My mother was not merely paying bills; she was safeguarding our family’s stability.
Although we didn’t engage in formal discussions about money, her actions demonstrated the value of discipline, planning, and ensuring every cent counts.
While she made financial management seem effortless, I was aware that our finances were often tight. I saw her stress over unexpected costs and worry about rising prices. Despite my parents never earning much, we managed to get by.
As I matured, I realized that while my mother was brilliant at making every dollar stretch, there was a missing element: a pathway to building wealth — a way to thrive rather than merely survive. This realization catalyzed a journey that would shape my career.
A career in finance taught me everything I needed to know
I was eager to learn how to grow wealth, which led me to pursue a career in finance. After completing college, I began working as a stockbroker, entering a realm where money was not merely stretched but something to be engaged with, risked, and increased by those familiar with its principles.
Eventually, I became the budget director for the City of Ocala, Florida, overseeing hundreds of millions of dollars. I achieved a level of financial success my mother could scarcely have envisioned, yet I observed the same challenges she faced, just on a larger scale.
I witnessed high-earning professionals living paycheck to paycheck because they spent every penny they earned. I saw how government budgets became strained due to a lack of planning for inevitable downturns.
Whether managing personal finances or corporate investments, the principles of financial control remained consistent. Without discipline and a long-term strategy, money would vanish.
I taught my kids the secret to wealth management
I didn’t want my children to have to learn about finances the hard way, making costly mistakes before they figured it out in their 30s or 40s. I wanted them to be equipped with the knowledge I spent years accumulating.
Thus, I took the time to teach them the lessons my mother never had the chance to impart — lessons I learned throughout my career.
I explained that budgeting wasn’t merely about survival; it was the cornerstone for everything else. I demonstrated how to accumulate wealth rather than just manage expenses. We discussed the benefits of early investing, the magic of compound interest, and how to achieve financial freedom.
I didn’t want my children to spend every dollar they earned. I emphasized that earning more money was not the key to wealth — it was about retaining and growing it.
I wanted them to understand that true financial achievement was less about how much they earned and more about how much they retained, invested, and allowed to grow over time. I advised them to start simply and invest in low-cost index funds. They established a monthly investment plan (dollar-cost averaging) to consistently invest regardless of market conditions.
As my children grew older, these lessons became habits
They began budgeting on their own, opening investment accounts, and thinking strategically about money. Now that I have grandchildren, I recognize my duty not only to provide for them but also to impart the knowledge that can help secure their futures.
I desire for my grandkids to view money not as a stressor but as a tool that offers them choices. I want them to have the freedom to travel, explore, and take risks without the fear of financial burden. Most importantly, I want them to realize that financial security is not something that happens by accident; it’s built through careful decision-making.
The teachings I pass on to my children and grandchildren mirror the lessons I absorbed by observing my mother at the kitchen table. The distinction is that instead of merely figuring out how to make it to the next paycheck, I can provide them with the knowledge to forge a future where work is optional, security is assured, and financial freedom is their destiny to claim.
