Healthy MoneySample

Day 2: Exploring Childhood Money Memories

If the money mindsets represent our nature, our childhood money memories show how we were nurtured. Some of that nurture happens intentionally, and some of it happens unintentionally. Someone’s view of money is highly influenced by what he or she saw modeled growing up in his or her family of origin.

For example, Roz’s parents immigrated from Sicily to America in the late 1970s. For many reasons, Sicily relies on agriculture and has remained underdeveloped compared to its counterpart in mainland Italy. Roz’s parents barely had elementary school educations before they started working full-time. When they immigrated to America, they had little money and did not speak the language. They worked in factory jobs with subpar conditions, hoping to eventually buy a home and car and provide for their family. They succeeded in their goals. However, it was a struggle, and unfortunately, Roz has many memories of his father getting upset over the cost of items, household spending, and constant worries about the future. He was a saver. If he found a coin on the ground, he would stop and put it in his pocket. Roz’s dad would spend when he needed to, but it was always something he did begrudgingly. Roz would have considered his family below middle class, not exactly poor, though in some sense others may have viewed them as such. His father had the best intentions. He wanted to be responsible and upright, but, in the process, a scarcity mentality prevailed. It drove a wedge between Roz’s dad and the rest of the family.

Callie comes from a family of finance professionals, and even those who weren’t one by profession took an active interest. She was very much shaped by her parents but also by her grandparents. Callie’s grandfather, who she called “Honey,” lived about an hour away, and he loved golf. He would take Callie and her brother hunting for golf balls in the woods and creek along the golf course. It was like an Easter Egg hunt year-round. If they found a golf ball, he’d give them a nickel, dime, or quarter for each one depending on the quality and condition of the golf ball. Callie loved having a way to earn some money as a kid. Soon, she and her brother started having lemonade stands and an allowance for doing chores around the house. Callie enjoyed “working” and earning money, even from a young age. As an adult, she still enjoys working (most days), being productive, and being compensated for what she accomplishes.

We cannot control the past or what others have done to us, but when we are aware of how that past has shaped us, we can take it to God and choose whether we want it to continue to impact our future or if God has a different path.

Reflection Questions:

How was money handled in your home growing up?

How has that impacted the way you handle your finances today?

What financial habits you learned as a kid are you proud of, and what would you like to change with God’s help?

Prayer

Lord, you are the God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. You know my past and how it shaped me, but you also hold my future. Please mold me into your image. Take what is good about what I learned as a child and grow it. Take what is unhealthy and heal it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.