I've been thinking about a conversation I had with a friend recently. This guy is one of the most financially disciplined people I know…drives everywhere instead of flying, packs lunches for family trips, never eats out on vacation. He's building serious wealth and doing everything right with his money.
But something shifted for him this summer. His kids are 11 to 16 years old, right in what I call the "core memory zone." That narrow window where the experiences you create will shape how your children remember their childhood…and judge your effectiveness as a parent…for the rest of their lives.
So this incredibly frugal friend did something completely out of character. He bought a motorhome. Not a small one either, the kind with slide-outs, a fireplace, and all the bells and whistles. A significant financial purchase that goes against every savings principle he's followed for years.
His reasoning? "I've got maybe five years to make these memories with my kids. I can work an extra year or two and retire later, but I can't get this time back."
Money Matters
Here's what I've realized about my own childhood: when I think back to what shaped me as a person, it's not spread across 17 or 18 years of memories. It's concentrated into about a three to five year window…roughly ages 11 to 16.
Your kids don't care that you max out your 401k or have their 529 plans funded. When they're 45, they're going to remember the lake house, the family dinners, learning to drive the boat with dad, or whatever core experiences you created during those critical years.
Action Steps
Recognize Where Your Kids Are in the Timeline
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