The Power of the Decision

Do you remember that one moment as an adult when you realized that every decision you had ever made had led you to the moment you are standing in right now? 

If you had made one decision differently, you may not live in the same place or you may not have married the same person. You may not have the same kids that you have right now. How strange is that to think about? One thing, one thought, one minute, one second, can change our lives as human beings.

Have you ever shared that with your kids?

Have you ever told them how important the decisions that they make actually are? When I was young, I often heard, “You’re a kid, don’t worry about it!” Or, “You’re young, you have plenty of time!”

Do you know, I actually don’t agree with those statements?! The reality is that the decisions we make, even when we’re young, do affect our lives. A good decision can keep a young life on a good track. A bad decision can take a good life and put it on a bad track. Sometimes, a bad decision cannot be undone.

Why don’t we say this to our kiddos? 

In reality, the school is keeping track of their attendance from the day they start kindergarten, their grades are being recorded from first grade and their behavior is being tracked from the time they step in the door. To pretend that those things don’t matter for the future is just pretending. As we get older, the decisions that we make affect our future more and more. 

Deciding to party it up as a teenager or work your butt off in school can create two very different outcomes. 

Deciding to spend your life savings on your first car or spend a few grand on your first car and save the rest, can be life-changing.

Even the words that come out of our mouths matter tremendously. How many times has someone said something to you that you have remembered for the rest of your life - good or bad?

The decisions we make matter, even when we’re young. I think we should be real with our kids and make them aware that just because they are young, doesn’t mean they are insignificant. 

When it comes to building wealth and creating a positive money mindset, decision-making is crucial. Here is a great scenario that could very well happen to your kid, or may have happened to you…

Kid graduates high school and attends the college of his choice - about an hour and a half away from home. He’s going to do the full university experience - dorm living and all. He has gotten a couple of small scholarships to help fund his schooling and is using student loans to pay the rest. 

Kid is now 25,000 in debt. Age: 18

Shortly after starting school, Kid starts to get credit card offers in the mail. He is running low on funds even though he is working a job. He could really use that credit card offer to pay for his books and meals next semester. He accepts one of the hundreds of credit card offers that came in the mail and is now $30,000 in debt. Age: 19

Kid plugs along through school and will graduate next year. Age: 23

Kid meets Girl. Kid and Girl get married and want to buy their first home. Girl has no credit and Kid has over $30,000 in debt and has even defaulted on some payments a few times over the past couple of years. Kid cannot buy a house for his new bride and himself.

WHAT?! WHY?!

Kid didn’t think all of this was such a big deal!! He’s only missed a payment a couple of times and who knew that that those student loans would stop him from buying a house?!? 

WHY DID NO ONE TELL HIM THIS BEFORE NOW?!

RIGHT?!

How many times has this happened? How many times have you stepped back in a situation in your life and thought, “Why did no one tell me about this?!”

THAT is the power of decisions. You, as a parent deciding to be honest with your littles and telling them how significant THEY are and how significant their decisions can be in their lives, holds immense power.  By deciding to do so, we can equip them with the knowledge and power to make wise decisions that lead to a bright Wealthy Kid Future!

Decide to Decide!

Amanda

P.S. Thanks to the The Torch Worship Center for always giving the messages that we all need to hear! This week’s article was inspired by ‘The Domino Effect’ - The Torch Worship Center