Take for example my mother. If it weren’t for the fact that she’s completely clueless about bills, expenses, and finances in general, I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in right now.
Let me explain.
My mom has always worked, no question about it. But she always just turned part of her paycheque over to my dad to cover bills and expenses (he tells her how much he needs a month from her), and keeps the remainder as blow.
But if my dad were to refuse to take care of paying of the bills or the mortgage this very second, my mom would be lost. COMPLETELY, UTTERLY lost.
Not only does my dad have the worst organizational skills in the world (no seriously.. he uses a big industrial clamp as his filing cabinet to “clamp” all of his documents together), he has never included my mother on what things cost (or at least forced her to see the list of bills and how much each bill approximately costs per month), and he has never bothered trying to draw up a budget.
My mom is the cause of WHY I refuse to become a statistic, and one of those women who lets her husband take care of all the finances, then is like a clueless, abandoned lamb when he leaves the world (it’s true.. men die sooner. Deal with it and get a retirement plan in place for yourself).
My dad is the cause of why I am so ridiculously organized and meticulous about my documents (filing, cleaning, shredding, labelling), and the reason of why I started to draw up a budget and am so detailed about it (Starbucks is a category for me. Am thinking of adding Shoppers Drug Mart in there too. Or at least “FB Closet Shipping Costs”).
And both of my parents are the cause of why I am in all of this debt. And it’s a good thing if you looked at the silver lining. Why? Because not only did I learn early in my 20s and learn FAST that managing my own money is a good thing, I also worked much harder in school because I was responsible for paying for it in the end with student debt, and the sole reason why I vowed to not only make more money but to keep more in my bank account as well.
Sometimes, bad parents are good parents. They aren’t perfect role models, but they sure push you to change your life and become a better person.
- Can parents be blamed for everything?
- Paying tuition…
- Marrying for money (Response)
- I once taught a personal finance class…
- FB’s General Financial Plan for August to October 2008
Ms. MiniDucky
on Apr 4th, 2008
@ 7:01 PM:
Girl, exactly. And the same goes for siblings. If my brother hadn’t made such a hash of his life, I bet I wouldn’t have learned so many skills so quickly that will serve me well over the upcoming years. Adversity, baby, it’s good for the soul! (sometimes
)
Mrs. Micah
on Apr 4th, 2008
@ 8:39 PM:
I think my parents’ learning from their mistakes is part of what taught me to be careful about money. If they’d done well all along I don’t know if I would have learned as much.
I tell Micah that at least his student loans mean I get to have a blog.
Fabulously Broke
on Apr 5th, 2008
@ 9:37 AM:
Ms. Miniducky: TOTALLY… everything makes you who you are in the end.
Mrs. Micah: *laugh* that’s why I’m afraid for my own kids now
Life is Wonderful
on Apr 5th, 2008
@ 1:34 PM:
My parents and I have totally different views as far as money goes…..
Life is Wonderful
on Apr 5th, 2008
@ 1:35 PM:
My parents and I have totally different views as far as money goes…..
suzie wuzie
on Apr 6th, 2008
@ 12:33 AM:
my mum does that too. and my dad is not the best at searching out a good deal. i guess that has made me try to understand most money stuff.
Lauren
on Apr 7th, 2008
@ 11:06 AM:
I’m the same way, sort of. My mother is pretty good with money (she budgets, she files, she cuts) but no one ever taught her how to manage her money and now SHE’S paying the price. She tried to teach me what she does know. Ironically, I have trouble learning her lessons and learn ones she didn’t.
My father is horrible with money. He doesn’t pay a bill until they threaten to cut him off. He is about $25k in debt, not including his mortgage which he is behind in. Worse, he constant accuses me of not paying my bills (luckily, my mother was with us when it happened and yelled “Don’t project on her! She has paid EVERY bill ON TIME and IN FULL, except once, unlike you. And the one time she didn’t was when her student loan was delayed and she made arrangements with every company. Would you be so responsible?”)
Actually, the situation you are talking about for your parents is in the book “Smart Women Finish Rich” by David Bach. I’ve only read the first chapter so far but it sounds like a book your Mom could use (actually, even your Dad).
Fabulously Broke
on Apr 7th, 2008
@ 12:58 PM:
suzie: that’s a good thing isn’t it?
lauren: I’m glad your mom stood up for you, but I’m so worried my kids will turn out strange if I’m not careful LOL…
My mom doesn’t really read and can’t concentrate on books (any book), but now she’s sworn off credit cards at least… :\