Monday's Message

Every Monday I write a life lesson that I find highly valuable and, had I learned it early, I'd have greatly benefitted from.

I finally saved up $100. After collecting buckets of acorns, washing the dishes, taking the dogs on a walk, and finding every little nook and cranny of the house to clean, I had enough money. Money to buy stocks. My seven year-old self, though highly unaware of the financial world at a young age, was ecstatic to bond with her daddy over something such as investments.

Perched on his lap, little Sarah passed her coin bag to her dad. (I bet $100-worth of coins thrilled him). Her daddy walked her through the process. Create an account, pick a stock, invest! Easy. Except how would I pick one stock? Should I pick Disney because I love their movies? Or Hershey's because I consume their product on a regular basis? The financial world expanded larger than my tiny hands could grasp.

With patience, my daddy steered me in a simple direction. We invested the money and suddenly I became a (somewhat) well-off seven year old girl. While that play money became a decade-long investment, I also invested in myself and my future. My parents taught me the value of money toward myself and others. When we die, we can't take our money with us, so how can we be wise and impact those around us?

As I grew older, I was able to watch first hand the love and kindness of my giving parents and now it's a trait I have thankfully inherited. They encourage me to save money wisely but spend it on things that matter to me--like books, dogs, and video games. Now it is so rewarding to say no to a needless thing that catches my eye in a store and instead save up to spend it on the thing I truly desire and wait for.

I get excited now talking about IRA's, CD's, mutual funds and the like, all because it reminds me of my daddy. His finger pointing to the old Dell screen. His congratulating high five after my first investment.

Had it not been for my parents watering me with wisdom, I would not have blossomed into a little investor. My future thanks them.