Making Money Matter. Dads’ Survival Guide: Providing — Our…
By: Dave Smith
Tags: Financial Planning, Parenting, Giving, Leadership, Dads

Dads’ Survival Guide: Providing — Our Finances

I caved. No backbone. Total capitulation.

Another COVID lockdown and I lost my resolve. On pet ownership.

We settled on a unique, designer breed. An unusual combination of minis. Hamburg Schnauzer mixed with Sterling Terrier. More commonly known as a Ham-ster.

They’re cute. Cuddly. Playful. Live on seeds. Require minimal care. Yet, enough of a lesson for the kids. The best part? Their habitat. Hamsters live in a fish tank. And never need to leave. Ever. That’s my kind of pet. Low maintenance.

Hopefully, I have more backbone when it comes to family finances.

Fretting Inside

Most of us Dads live comfortably. We have plenty enough. With portfolios on a decent trajectory. Markets at record highs. The economy sputtering back to life. Plus, investment advisors and tax guys keeping us on course,

On the surface, everything’s good. Below the surface, not so much.

Dads fret about our financials. A lot. Will the portfolio last? Cover retirement? Unexpected expenses? Weather a market plunge? Can we keep earning enough? If our practice dries up? The firm falters? Or we end up on the street? How would we land something new?

Sound familiar? Any Dad suggesting they’re immune to these thoughts is not being straight. We all have them. No matter our financial condition. Dads just never talk about it. Out loud.

Meaningless?

When it comes to money, a sense of peace is hard to find. No matter how many zeros in the bank accounts. Which seems ridiculous given all that wealth affords us. Nice homes. With offices, gyms and pools. Jacked-up Jeeps. Designer pets. Nights out for good meals. And fun-filled vacations. Special family experiences.

All this affluence delivers the happiness we seek. Yet, Dads remain unsettled inside.

How’s that possible? Could the stuff wealth delivers be so fleeting? Momentary? Meaningless?

King Solomon was unsettled. No peace. Despite being one of the wealthiest, and wisest men of all time. He ruled when Israel was the most powerful nation in the world.

In Ecclesiastes, his book of reflections, Solomon wrote, “I undertook great projects. I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. I owned more herds and flocks. I amassed silver and gold, the treasure of kings. I became greater by far than anyone before me in Jerusalem. I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.”

“Yet, when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”

Meaningless. A chasing after the wind. From a man who had more than anyone. And, experienced it all. How’s that possible?

Solomon learned that chasing the desires of one’s heart will leave us empty. Wealth and achievement simply, don’t deliver. He discovered there’s a difference between happiness and joy. Between comfort and peace. And pursuing joy and peace is more rewarding.

Perhaps, King Solomon should have heeded one of God’s Great Commandments, instead.

Loving our Neighbor

While we have plenty, others in our community do not. They have legit reasons to fret. Going paycheck to paycheck. Family businesses at risk of collapse. Limited income options. Broken households. Stark living conditions.

Right here in our vicinity. Close by. Good folks. Experiencing entirely different lives. We see them at travel games. Tournaments. Or working in our towns. Manning store counters. Packing grocery shelves. Delivering packages. Driving the school buses.

These are our neighbors. Struggling to get by. Lacking peace about tomorrow. In a way we may never understand.

“Love thy neighbor as thyself.” A great commandment. In this season of giving. A means of making our money matter. And hopefully, I have the backbone to pull it off. Especially this year.

Giving Boldly

All of us are locked down for the holidays. Family vacations on hold. It’s a bummer for everyone. Yet, Dads are resourceful. So, let’s try something different. Something bold. Radical. Truly memorable. A special experience for our families. Potent enough to last a lifetime.

Loving our neighbors. Right here in our community. We know who they are. And Dads can lead the way. Handing out something special this year. More than pocket change. Or walking around money. Adding an extra zero. Or two. For our neighbors. An unexpected, impactful gift. Enough to cover the rent. Monthly food. Transportation. Tuition. Wi-Fi. Tech for distance learning. Impactful. From our family. To theirs.

Imagine the smile on their faces. The surprise. The joy in their household.

Imagine the joy in our hearts. Meaningful. Fulfilling. A memorable experience. One that will impact their family. And ours.

That’s passing the peace. Bold. Impactful. Loving. Like never before. And providing for our family. In a new and powerful way. Transcending financials. Changing hearts. By blessing our neighbors. For this holiday season. And beyond.

Go Dads, Go!