This article describes how my father taught me the value of money and at the same time also showed me how to reach and attain the goals I had in my life.
I have a friend called Peter and for his seventeenth birthday his parents bought him a very impressive car which would have cost them around £2000. He was very happy and showed off this car to all of his friends including myself. At this stage he was unable to even drive, however it was still a great present to receive.
Peter lived a couple of doors away from me and I showed my father the car and stated that I would love a car for my seventeenth birthday which was only three weeks away. He responded with words like, I bet you would. Despite this remark I felt sure that he would purchase a car for me as he certainly could have afforded to, in my opinion anyway.
My birthday arrived but no car was presented to me, the main present I received was a pair of trainers. I must admit even though I now feel embarrassed to say it, that I was quite disappointed.
Around eight months later, I managed to pass my driving test and my father was very pleased and congratulated me on my success. I told him that I was very happy, however, what was the point of passing my test if I had no car to drive. He seemed to agree but two months later he still had not bought me a car.
It was now nearing my eighteenth birthday and my father asked me what I would like for my birthday. He explained that your eighteenth is a special birthday and that he would be spending slightly more on me this year. I told him that I would like a car and he started laughing. Despit this I felt sure that he would oblige.
My birthday arrived and yet again no car, the main present I received was a watch, a very nice watch I must add but again I was disappointed.
I waited a further two months and then decided to use the head on approach. I went to talk to my father and told him that I needed a car. He agreed so I asked him, so what are we going to do then? If you want a car, go and buy a car, he responded. I pointed out to him that I was spending per week more than I was earning, socialising, buying clothes etc. He stated that I really wanted a car that I would make sacrifices to get it but also stated that whatever I saved he would match.
This very much annoyed me at the time, but something I am now grateful for as it has taught me that if you want something, you have to work hard and make sacrifices to obtain it.
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