Lessons in my childhood have paid dividends

Last week I talked about Parents being our greatest teachers in life either in a positive or negative way. I also encouraged you to think about what sort of a role model you are when it comes to money. I am thankful that both my parents were excellent role models with regards to money while I was growing up. My Mum gave me an allowance so I could learn how to manage my money in a safe environment. She didn’t rescue me when I spent nearly my whole first allowance on lollies and I had to go to School with holes in my stockings because I didn’t have any more money to buy some new ones.

My Dad taught me to read any document fully before signing it and to be honest at all times with money.

I can remember one time when I was about 10 years old. I found a lot of coins under my Dad’s favourite lazyboy chair when I moved it. They had fallen out of his pocket.   I gathered up all the coins and went and found Dad to return them to him. He said to me “Sylvia, because you have been honest by giving me back this money I am going to give you half of it as a reward”.

Another time I was given too much change so my Mum sent me back into the shop to give the extra to the owner. I was rewarded by being given a lolly.  So what did I learn from these two experiences? Be honest and you may be rewarded.

If you have realised by reading this article that perhaps you haven’t taught your children to be honest with money don’t despair. It could be that you were not taught this value when you were younger. You can’t change the past, however you have the power to design a better future for you and your family by deciding that honesty is the best policy.

Sylvia’s book, Parents: How to stop your kids from going broke is available for $34.95 from www.silbo.co.nz or at Books a Plenty, Creative Tauranga or Bethlehem Paper Plus .