By Kevin Press
If it’s true that we learn more by watching our parents than by listening to them, then I was a very blessed child.
As a parent, we appreciate more what our parents have done for us. That’s certainly the case with my father. We have always had a good relationship, even if we don’t always listen to what others say. At least not when listening to golf! (I’m kidding, of course.)
But, in many cases, it doesn’t matter if we listen or not. I learned a lot from watching my parents, much more than actually listening to them. It’s not that they didn’t give me good advice. What stood out to be the most — rubbed off on me, so to speak — was what I took away from watching them as they cared for the family, day in and day out. The behaviour they displayed had a more significant influence on me than the behaviour they told me about.
This is especially true when it comes to finances. My family had a lot of respect for work and money. The lessons I learned from watching my parents raise my brother and me are invaluable. There are the obvious lessons — work hard, save and invest. Looking back, though, I can’t help but think of the less traditional classes. These are the ones that make my parents, in my eyes at least, exceptional parents.
To celebrate Father’s Day, here are some of my favourite lessons from John Press:
If you can do more than one job, do it. When I was about six years old, my father seemed to work non-stop. Her days at the office were very long compared to my kindergarten schedule. When he finally arrived home, it was with a briefcase full of work he was doing on the kitchen table. Later, I learned that he was studying to become a chartered accountant and provided bookkeeping services to several local businesses in addition to his full-time job. But he managed to find time to take care of me and read me my favourite books, including those of Dr Seuss.
Learn all you can say about money. My father became a chartered accountant, and he succeeded in this field. He became an influential executive in the retirement home industry and later operated his own consulting business. He excels at closing deals, and he is one of the most brilliant businessmen I have met.
Be generous. It’s more than just a question of money. My father is the most helpful person I know. He invests in people; he gives freely of his time and energy. And it is repaid a hundredfold.
Be good to yourself. My dad is an avid golfer, so he lives near a golf course. Nothing too fancy, but it makes him happy. It’s what he always wanted, and he made it a priority. As obvious as it may seem, it’s not always easy when you’re used to putting the needs of others ahead of your own.
Do what you love for as long as you love doing it. So many Canadians have adopted this philosophy that it has become a cliché. But it’s still worth mentioning. When my dad is not playing golf, he works in his home office. Both make him happy (and his job pays for his golf expenses). What better?
I’m asking my dad for advice more and more often these days. No matter the subject, wisdom flows from his advice, and that’s what I appreciate and admire about him. It always helps me.
I bet you can add tips to this list. What did your father teach you about money?
