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With each passing year my belief is strengthened that the most important lessons we learn in life aren’t found in classrooms or books. Instead, we learn a majority of our most important lessons by seeing and doing. This is how I learned to shoot a basketball, drive a car, and play trombone. It was also how I took in the money lessons my Dad taught me.
Dad has always been a quiet, unassuming man who says more through his actions than words. But that didn’t stop him from teaching me many valuable lessons which I still carry with me today.
Five Meaningful Money Lessons My Dad Taught Me
In celebration of Father’s Day, this post will touch on the five most memorable money lessons my Dad taught me. I hope they resonate with you as well.
Hard Work is Honorable
Growing up, my favorite time of the day was when my parents came home from work. Dad started his day at his aerospace manufacturing job several hours before I woke up in the morning, so it was always extra exciting when he came home from work. Sometimes I met him at the corner and raced him back to our driveway.
In the summer, Dad routinely put in 12 hour days in extremely hot conditions. I remember that he often talked about the conditions, but he rarely complained about them. His hard work was an honorable way for him to provide for his family.
Dad started a new job when I was in high school, and it required him to work third shift. I’m sure this was a difficult change for him, but he took it in stride and adjusted. His example of hard work and dedication left a lasting impression on me.
Money is Secondary to Family
As I have mentioned, my family is not overly verbal. My parents, especially my Dad, show love to others through acts of giving and service. They never hesitate to help and support family and friends who need it.
At a young age, I was shown that money is important, but family is more important. I saw this when my Dad got out of work early to come to my basketball games and track meets – even when our team traveled far from home. I saw it when Dad endured 8 hour round trip drives after working all night to bring me back to college after a weekend at home.
Knowing that there is nothing my Dad wouldn’t do for me and my wife has taught me a lot about proper work-family balance. I feel well-prepared to be a devoted father myself thanks to his example.
Be Proud of Your Contributions
I will always remember my first meeting with my parents and college admissions counselor. During introductions, the counselor asked my Dad about his career. Dad explained that he worked for an aerospace engineering company.
The counselor’s ears perked up and she asked, “Wow! That sounds so so interesting. Are you an engineer?”
Dad proceeded to share a 30 second elevator pitch about the nature of his job: performing quality control checks for a wide variety of small aerospace components. The counselor acted interested, but I could tell that she was unimpressed.
But that’s not the part of the story that made an impact on me. I will always remember and respect the pride and enthusiasm with which Dad spoke about his job that day. Even today, he takes great pride in his work and productivity records.
Many times, Dad has told me that if he could do it all over again, he would probably become a chef or nurse. His job is far from his natural area of passion, but that will never stop him from taking pride in it and doing his best every day.
Money Isn’t Everything
By now this is clear, but my Dad has never been one to focus too much on money. His behavior with money has always shown that money is just a tool to live your life as you see fit.
In our conversations about money, Dad has always reminded me that money and responsibility go hand in hand.
Contentment is Key
The most remarkable lesson of the many money lessons my Dad taught me is the importance of contentment. In 31 years, I have never heard my Dad express jealousy of other people’s careers, homes, or cars. He continues to be a great example of the power of contentment.
A key to Dad’s overall contentment with his life lies in finding joy in the small things – his coin collection, fresh fruit, sports, and cashews. In a culture which encourages people to push for more and more, Dad is my reminder that what most people really need is more gratitude in their lives.
I often think of Dad’s example when trying to balance my natural-born ambition with my desire to be content in my current stage of life. His example reminds me that I am blessed in many ways and helps me appreciate what I have even while I work to build a better life for my family.
Final Word
Without question, my Dad has taught me many valuable life lessons in addition to the money lessons above. If you’re reading this, Dad, thank you for setting a good example, for not letting me win our basketball competitions in the driveway, and for supporting me in all my endeavors.
Happy Father’s Day Dad!
Mrs. Picky Pincher says
June 16, 2017 at 8:07 AMHappy Father’s Day to all of the wonderful dads out there! It sounds like your dad did a great job. π We talk about money a lot in the FIRE community, but it’s important to remember that it’s not the *only* thing we should focus on in life.
Mao says
June 16, 2017 at 11:12 AMI have to agree that money is secondary when compared to the importance of family. Like you, my dad used to be not very expressive, but he was able to use his action, and often through contentment to teach us that family is important and what we should focus on.
Hero says
June 19, 2017 at 2:38 PMSounds like you have a great dad, Mao! π
Matt @ Optimize Your Life says
June 19, 2017 at 3:15 PMSome great lessons to learn! It can be easy in the personal finance space to get too focused on money and forget that it isn’t everything and that family needs to come first.
Hero says
June 19, 2017 at 10:26 PMRight on, Matt. I fight that battle quite often.