Originally posted by Kevmeister
The education battle is not really just an education battle either. It's a battle to educate your child against a society which as a whole is becoming more consumer-driven, more motivated by the desire for instant gratification, etc.
It will be an interesting parenthood...
Kevin.
Hey there Kevin,
Absolutely it's about seeing the big picture, and seperating needs from wants. Saturday's Age had an interesting story here.
To quote: "Australians have never been richer, says the study report by the Australia Institute. Yet the majority of middle-income households believe they are doing it tough.
The report's author...says inflated expectations, not inadequate income, are the problem.
"A large and growing proportion of the population wants to emulate the lifestyles of the rich and famous," he says. "Because they can't afford it they constantly feel deprived of the good life."
A Newspoll survey conducted in September for the study found 62 per cent of Australian households believe they "cannot afford to buy everything they really need". Almost half the richest households - with incomes over $70,000 - agreed. " Ends quote
I re-read parts of "Richest Man in Babylon" over the weekend... It's been about 5 years since I last read it, and I am still blown away by the depth of wisdom in it. I'm sure I'm only just starting to appreciate it. The simplicity of living on no more than 80% of your income, and paying yourself 10% first (investing) and doing so wisely, and with security is just so simple it's ludicrous. But the culture is so often telling us to take it now, get it now, - take that one marshmallow now... quick... ! Worry about what you want, no one else matters, and put it on the visa.
I look at where our family is today (almost turning 30) and think I am so lucky, but it's all about choices and responsability for them. Financial management isn't rocket science. Hehe... re: education, when we first got married I had never written a cheque. My wife did, - she'd learnt it in the ('dumb') maths subject that you did in VCE when you weren't doing the 'real' maths subjects that I did with a math/science major. So she had to teach me.
Good luck in your parenting, it's an awesome vocation, and it sounds like you're starting off in a good direction regards material things. I'm convinced the most significant impact on a child from the family comes in the first 5-6-7 years... and by 13-14-15 the foundation has to be there in place for them to build on with peers. All the best.
I'll stop rambling, but this has been a great thread.
Luke