To Buy, or Not to Buy?
Last summer, my daughter wanted to buy a necklace that one of our neighbors was selling. I told her that she could do so, but with her own money.
After counting the cash she had at home, she was a little bit short. (She did have money in her bank account, but just didn't have much cash on her person).
After learning she didn't have enough to make the purchase, I told her to ask her brother if she could borrow the amount of money she was short. WHAT WAS I THINKING??
The very next moment, I realized that was a HORRIBLE idea!! Why on earth would I suggest that she borrow to buy something that she wanted, but did not need?? Temporary insanity!
After I'd come to my senses, I told her I'd said those words in error and that she would not be borrowing to buy the necklace. I suggested looking inside of her purses and other places around the house to find the amount she needed.
She did locate enough after checking in various places. She was frustrated that she had to search, but I explained to her why she was doing it. We had a refresher conversation about wants versus needs, as well as using cash versus borrowing for buying "fun things". In addition, my son was able to paint practical pictures for her to understand.
Not only was that a teachable moment for my children, but it was also one for me. I wonder how many times I've bought something I didn't need, but just "had to have" at a particular time. I couldn't even begin to count them! I wonder how much more I'd be able to do now to bless my family and others if I'd made wiser choices in the past. Hmmm...A sobering thought!
My husband and I speak candidly about finances with our children (a teen and a pre-teen). Though we cannot change the past, we can certainly do our best to prevent history from repeating itself in the next generation. We encourage them to ask questions, not to get into "grown folks' business", but to help them learn to make wise decisions.
Pride must be set aside in order for transparency to take place. To buy, or not to buy? That is the question.
#Proverbs22:7
Bridget McCray
The very next moment, I realized that was a HORRIBLE idea!! Why on earth would I suggest that she borrow to buy something that she wanted, but did not need?? Temporary insanity!
After I'd come to my senses, I told her I'd said those words in error and that she would not be borrowing to buy the necklace. I suggested looking inside of her purses and other places around the house to find the amount she needed.
She did locate enough after checking in various places. She was frustrated that she had to search, but I explained to her why she was doing it. We had a refresher conversation about wants versus needs, as well as using cash versus borrowing for buying "fun things". In addition, my son was able to paint practical pictures for her to understand.
Not only was that a teachable moment for my children, but it was also one for me. I wonder how many times I've bought something I didn't need, but just "had to have" at a particular time. I couldn't even begin to count them! I wonder how much more I'd be able to do now to bless my family and others if I'd made wiser choices in the past. Hmmm...A sobering thought!
My husband and I speak candidly about finances with our children (a teen and a pre-teen). Though we cannot change the past, we can certainly do our best to prevent history from repeating itself in the next generation. We encourage them to ask questions, not to get into "grown folks' business", but to help them learn to make wise decisions.
Pride must be set aside in order for transparency to take place. To buy, or not to buy? That is the question.
#Proverbs22:7
Bridget McCray
Contributing Writer
Author, H.E.A.L.T.H.: It’s Not Rocket Science (My Journey to a Healthier Me)
Available now on Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats!
Author, H.E.A.L.T.H.: It’s Not Rocket Science (My Journey to a Healthier Me)
Available now on Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats!
No comments:
Post a Comment