As it is Father’s Day, let’s do a quick one about Fathers (and Father figures) in our lives.
My Dad was a man of great wisdom who taught me many things in his actions and life. Fathers are not the sole provider of wisdom; many folks teach us. This is just my perspective on my Dad’s life.
“That is What Money is For”
By no means were my parents spendthrifts. They grew up during the war, and when they left the UK, they still had rationing books. My parents were very careful with money, as I have written before.
My Father did, however, use the expression “That is what money is for” to explain his rare splurges. He usually used it for when he worked late and had to take a cab home from work.
Yes, I expound and pontificate about overspending, but sometimes, you just gotta spend some cash.
That is what money is for
My Dad, circa 1974
“Don’t Be an Idiot!”
I have written about this one forever, but it also had a hidden message. When I went off to University his advice was, “If you are out drinking, always have two glasses of water before you go to sleep”. Very good advice, but not really financial, and surprising to me. When I voiced my surprise and asked him, “What about studies and such?”, he gave me the hidden message:
Always have two glasses of water before bed if you have been drinking
My Father, September 1980
Don’t be an idiot
My Father circa 1980
He was saying, Just behave, and realize what you are there for. The same is true with money.
“Don’t Upset Your Mother”
Sound advice in my books. I didn’t follow it often enough, and I have the stories from it. Financially, my perspective is that you work with your partner, and neither of you should be upset by any decision, if possible.
Don’t upset your mother!
My Dad circa 1975
