Dad Humor, from a father of six. Money Lessons
If you are like me, five off from sixty, then you most likely have heard from a parent or a grandparent, some simple saying about money that was true but cheesy.
“Money doesn’t Grow on Trees.”
“A penny saved is a penny earned.”
“Nothing is free.”
“You can’t take it with you.”
“What did the penny say to the dollar? I count.”
This is a story about one of my favorite money sayings. Each of my six lovely children, except my Autistic son, has provided me the opportunity to say to them.
One day my son, now 19 then 16, asked me, “Dad can I borrow some money?”
Of course, there must be a money conversation with any money exchange between child and parent. If you aren’t doing this, you are failing as a parent, just my opinion.
“What are you going to do with it?”
“I want to go see a movie with my friends.”
This, of course, provides me with the opportunity to provide my son with several lessons about money. I do not waste these moments.
“What happened to your paycheck?”
“I put it in my savings account. I am trying to save money for a PlayStation.”
“So what you are saying to me, son, is that you want to use my money to go to the movies so you can save your money for a PlayStation. Is that right?”
“Right. It is only twenty dollars.”
“You do know that the term borrow indicates that you are going to pay me back. I presume you will do that with your money.”
In the end, he used his money to pay for his fun, but not before I got to use my favorite money saying.
“If you don’t have the cash, you can’t buy no gas.” or a variation, “You don’t get to play if you can’t pay.” I have many different ways to say that, always making an effort to fit the particular situation. If they want to go eat, I will say, “You don’t get to dine, if you ain’t got a dime,” and so many others.
I think fatherhood is grand.
Thanks for reading and enjoying Real Life Struggles, dad humor from a father of six. I hope they bring you happiness.
Copyright: T. Mark Mangum, 2021.
T. Mark Mangum, a product of the unimaginable worlds of Star Wars, Star Trek, Connan, and the Lord of the Rings. Lover and writer of fiction tales. He is a Veteran and a father of six, and a game enthusiast.