This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
Or else someone will end up with the short end of the stick
Gratitude is an eternal feeling I will always have for my parents. They endlessly invested in my life, but often to their financial detriment. I know they invested in my siblings and me more than they invested in their retirement accounts.
My parents gave my siblings and me music lessons, sports, educational programs, endless travel experiences, tutoring, conferences, camps, training, books, and more. We were lucky. Though we didn’t come from wealth, my parents gave us plenty of opportunities. But at what cost?
Trying all those things was nice, but my interests stayed the same. Writing and weightlifting were and still are my thing. Of course, it helped to try many things, but there is still time to experiment when you have some of your own funding. You’re never too old to learn and experiment with new clubs, hobbies, activities, and extracurriculars.
Many parents over-prioritize their kids, thinking they’re giving them the best gift, but the gift comes with a future responsibility; since the parents neglected their financial health, it likely later becomes the kids’ responsibility to care for their parents financially.
Though there is nothing wrong with taking care of parents (as this is acceptable and promoted in many cultures), many new families are financially struggling as is. Not only are families now having to take care of their new nuclear family, but they are also being required to take care of their old ones because they didn’t prioritize their financial health.
Families should care for their parents because they want to, not because they have to.
When you don’t prioritize your investing, you’re teaching your kids a few unproductive lessons:
Don’t value financial freedom.
Don’t prioritize your financial health.
Take care of others before you take care of yourself.
Make yourself financially dependent on your kids.
It is your job to provide your kids with the best life you can offer but within your means.
Thankfully, I paid for my own college education, paid off my student loans, bought my first car, paid my own rent for my first apartment, and was used to paying my bills. Many college students were still using their parents’ money to get by. Some parents could easily afford to cover all their children’s expenses, but others were leading themselves further into debt and financial strain.
Saving others before you save yourself is not worth it; at some point, someone will get the short end of the stick, leading to strained relationships and sometimes bitterness.
We are all responsible for our financial outcomes.
We are all responsible for how we handle our money.
Whether you have kids or are planning to have kids, teach them the value of earning their own money, financial independence, and paying their expenses. You won’t regret it.
Most importantly, teach your kids to prioritize their financial well-being by ensuring you never compromise your savings and investment goals.
You can take care of your kids while also taking care of yourself. If you’re struggling to do this, you must get more creative or set yourself up for future financial dependency on your kids, governmental programs, etc.
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This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.