When my children were small, I became a single mom. I knew when I divorced my husband that our lives were about to get a whole lot harder financially and they did. I knew we were going to lose our nice van, and we did. I knew that we were going to have to learn a whole new way of life, and we did. I didn’t ever feel guilty for not spoiling my children with all of the latest games and designer clothing, but it was very hard for me to see them go without things that I knew would make their lives and their learning so much better. There were many occasions that the story below was my story. A lot of the time, I got them things we couldn’t really afford because I knew how important it was for them to have these things. Their lives and their futures depended on it. I have no regrets. Today, I have amazing kids who appreciate not only the value of the dollar, but also appreciate me. That kind of thing can’t be bought. Enjoy this beautiful story. It may or may not be fictional, we don’t know. But it’s a universal truth, regardless.
I come from both backgrounds. Father has an 8-figure income, compared to my mother working on 26k a year. They divorced, and my mother got custody.
Most of my childhood was spent living on a crazy budget. I was a simple, white, video game playing nerd growing up. At my mother’s, she could only afford one game and system for me (around 6 years old). Thankfully, that was enough to keep me occupied for a few years.
Over the weekends (every other one) I went over to my dad’s. Because of the rivalry with my mother (aka, “who’s the better parent”), my father would ask me for a list of games or anything else I wanted, and in 2 weeks it would be there.
When I was 17 (I never asked for anything over $80, maybe a really good fishing tackle box, but that’s about it) I asked for a jet ski. Fast forward 2 weeks, and there’s a $15,000 jet ski in his backyard (he lived on the water).
The best thing about being rich is the comfort, convenience, and general happiness.
The worst part? It’s not true happiness. True happiness is feeling loved.
2 years ago, my mother made me a bank account linked to her name. Whenever something happened with her account (deposit, etc), I’d get an email.
When I was 16, I asked for an upgrade to my computer. My planned upgrades were 600, and I said I’d help around the house and get a job myself (which I did) to pay her back.
Next day? I get 2 emails. One is a notification of a $1500 purchase and the next one saying that the account has gone in the negative. -1350 on the account.
I never told her that I knew, and I’m happy that I haven’t. Saying “I love you, and would do anything for you” is one thing, but doing it is another.
Since paying off that payment (took me 3 months), my mother got Graves disease (among other things), and had to stop working.
Even though I’m in college, I go back once a month (5 hour train ride) to help her clean the house, cook, shop, etc. I pay for most of it too.
No game system, jet ski, boat, smart tv, etc. my dad could buy for me could EVER even compare to my mother.
