Another thing my father taught us besides instilling in us the idea of Tithing, Savings, and Missionary Fund, was to work and save to get something we wanted. He did this by a “matching” scheme.
Actually, once we were old enough to understand, my Dad would tell us that whatever amount we had saved up for a Mission by the time we were 18, he would “match” that amount. But, he also applied that to some other things that were “big” to us at each stage of our lives.
So, for example, when I was in second or third grade, I saw this 10-speed Stingray bicycle at the store one time and really wanted it. It cost about $70. Based on the amount I was getting as an allowance at the time, even if I saved everything I probably would have outgrown the bike before I would have saved enough to buy it. It seemed totally out of reach. I was hoping maybe Dad would give it to me for a birthday or Christmas present–even though I knew it was a bit too pricey for such. So, after my Dad talked with me long enough to test my resolve, he agreed that the bike could be a “match it” purchase.
What that meant is that somehow I had to get $35 dollars together, and he would chip in the other $35 dollars. As I remember I already had $5 -$10 to start. I then proceeded to go to neighbors and offer my services to mow their lawn or weed, etc. for a fee. Some accepted. Allowance day was always big — the whole thing went into my bike savings — I wasn’t going to spend it on candy or trading cards or anything like that. And because Dad was willing to pay me for washing and vacuuming our car, it was spotless for several months. I seem to remember that it took me about 4 or 5 months to get to the $35 dollars. Every couple of weeks I would go to the store and make sure the bike was still there. And by the time I was down to earning the last $3 dollars I had pretty much tapped everybody out. I was going to get a loan from my siblings when they got their allowance but Dad stopped that. (“Loans are for homes, not bikes.”) I am pretty sure Dad let me clean an already clean car to help me over the top.
But sure enough, I made it. And I enjoyed that bike and I took care of it like you wouldn’t believe-keeping it out of the weather at night and even learning how to do maintenance on it.
For 35 bucks, my father taught me: 1. The value of work, 2. The value of money, 3. To EARN what I receive, 4. I can ACHIEVE what I set my mind to.
When I think about it, I am sure Dad realized that I never would have been able to save the full price for that bike, so he knew I would have lost interest as it would have been hopeless. On the other hand, he knew that I could do half if I really tried. He then made sure I would succeed if I really tried. (Remember those payments for washing an already-clean car?)
Later in life, this served me well. Can I afford to get a used car right now? Can I afford to buy a computer? Can I afford a trip to…?
Nowadays, we as a society are so prosperous that our kids pretty much get anything they want IMMEDIATELY when they want it. (Do your kids have the latest Nitendo or other “game”? Did THEY buy either the player or the games?) As parents we will probably have to create ways to teach these important concepts to our children because if we go with the flow we will create in our children a feeling of “entitlement” that is more like “the world owes me things”.