When I was a child, one of the family activities I enjoyed the most was the weekly ritual of making popcorn.
Now I’m not talking about the “throw a bag in the microwave” kind of popcorn. I’m talking about the old-school method where you put the kernels of corn in the bottom of a popcorn maker along with a little oil and then waited for several minutes before the popping action got rolling.
I must admit that at times it felt like it took forever for the first kernel to pop. But when it did, I knew the second, third and fourth kernels weren’t far behind.
The same can be said for parents and grandparents who are trying to teach healthy financial habits to the next generation. It might start out slow, but once the first healthy habit forms you will find that it becomes contagious – not only for that individual but also for others in the family.
This concept proved itself out last week when I was in Naples, Florida for a speaking engagement.
It was a beautiful Saturday morning and I was completing the set-up for my presentation when a couple walked in and said “Do you remember us?” I didn’t at first and then Sandy and Jim, who live in Florida, reminded me that two years ago I had done a presentation at their home in Minnesota for three generations of their family.
Later that morning, Sandy shared with the attendees of the Naples workshop that a suggestion I had made during their family meeting was yielding significant dividends. In short, I had recommended that each family infuse sharing into the financial routine of their children as a way to counteract the messages of hyper-consumption.
Sandy went on to say that later that year their twelve year-old granddaughter purchased a share of a goat through the Heifer Project (www.heifer.org) for she and Jim’s Christmas present. Animals purchased through Heifer help families in developing countries become self-reliant. As you might imagine, Sandy and Jim were thrilled. Pop.
The following year the entire family picked up on the idea and gave several animals through the Heifer Project in honor of Sandy and Jim. Pop, pop.
That’s what happens when you teach healthy financial habits to the next generation – the behavior is often replicated throughout the family. And in this instance the first kernel was their twelve year-old granddaughter.
One Share Save Spend Idea
The other day I heard someone say that “materialism will not fulfill your purpose of existence.” So, in the spirit of “popping corn” follow these instructions:
1. At the next family gathering, talk with your family about why you think it is important to infuse sharing into their financial routine.
2. Give them a few examples to get started (e.g. making a donation or volunteering time in honor of someone they care about).
3. Be patient. It may take a few months for the first kernel to pop.
Money Talks – One question for teaching about money
What other financial opportunities in your family have yielded similar pop-corn results?
Gotta Have it Now - WOW!
More than 1.2 billion people in the world live on less than $1 a day.
Source: United Nations
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