By Are you encouraging your kids to hang out at home? How? We want to hear about it!
In client meetings recently, some of you have come in and told us about some lofty or crazy goals. Some of these are, well, a little out there, but most of the time we’ll say, “let’s go!” and start planning. I love hearing the goals our client families set for themselves, and the different ideas people come up with over the years.
Lately, I’ve noticed a pattern – many of you have come in telling us you’re planning to install a swimming pool in your backyard. Most of the folks who tell us this are at that point in life where they’re trying to corral the kids, and they’re hoping to encourage them to hang out at home more in order to keep an eye on them. You’ve also realized that those all-inclusive resort vacation spots are fun with kids, but they’re even more fun without them. So, your plan is to bring the vacation home until you are able to leave them behind! Hey, there’s nothing wrong with that.
The gist I’ve gotten from folks when I’ve dug a little deeper in asking why they’ve set their sights on a pool is that, while it seemed like a crazy idea in the beginning, they’ve seen the social effects a pool can have on kids – getting them out of their phones, encouraging some exercise and actual in-person social interaction. We all remember the cool house when we were kids – that’s where everyone wanted to hang out, right?
Sometimes, the best use of your hard-earned money is on things you can enjoy with your kids now, while they’re still young and at home. Maybe you want to provide as much or more than your parents provided for you. We’ve all seen those commercials on TV about being the hang-out house, and we know that does come with a cost. We want you to still be able to walk away from work at a decent age and with a decent lifestyle, and not have to keep working if you don’t want to. (And trust me – I’ve worked with enough clients to know there’s a big difference between “have to” and “want to.”)
All I ask is that you do, please, include us in your summer plans, and in all of your crazy dreams for this one life we get to live. Let us know what you’re thinking about so we can answer all of your questions about pools, backyard renovations, and other ways to make your home your sanctuary. Goals don’t always involved beach vacations or European getaways, and we’re just as interested in helping you save and work toward your dreams for your home and family. We look forward to hearing from you!
Article by David Smyth, CLTC, Senior Partner at Family Financial Partners — a financial services firm in Lexington, Kentucky.