"Dad," my 24-year-old son said, "I'd like your opinion on something."
"Sure, how can I help?"
"Well, I'm thinking of putting some money on the World Cup. It's only $40 and I stand to win a few hundred and for an extra $5, I am almost guaranteed to break even," he explained eagerly.
"So what's the question?"
"Well ummmm," he sputtered, "what do you think? I mean, I am working this summer between semesters and I'm really not going out much, so I'm not spending much money." He looked at me hopefully.
After several deep breaths and a silent prayer, I responded.
"What is it you are asking me? Are you asking me to support your decision, or tell you not to gamble or what?"
"You know, the World Cup only happens every four years!"
As if interjecting this data would sway my reaction. I laughed internally.
"I'm really sorry, but I have no opinion. I think you must determine what you value and how you spend your money. My opinion has very little value."
I could see my tactic was creating an electrical storm of thought and consideration. But he wasn't finished.
"Well actually, I was thinking...would you be interested in going in with me on this? I think there's a really good chance of winning and it would be an experience that we could share!" He looked at me with his most sincere expression.
As a parent, we know when we're being manipulated or at least a sporting attempt is being made. Sometimes, I suppose we go along with it, just because.
"Wow, I would really like to share this experience with you, but it's just not in my budget right now. As you know, I have a lot of things going on right now."
He nodded. The conversation ended.
I wondered where his internal decision-making mechanism would lead him.
Two days later, during another conversation, I asked if he had made a decision. He gave me an odd look and told me that he'd decided to participate.
"Ok," I said. "It is your money."
We make choices every day: to buy, to save, to wait, to plunge. Choosing how we spend our money is part of the constant stream of thoughts, ideas, speculations and desires that bombard us. We delay this want for that need, or this need for that want. We constantly order and reorder our priorities and at some point the choices we make either lead us to financial security and comfort or to a life of stress and financial instability. We know how to self-justify our desires, even to our detriment. Becoming financially mature takes time, desire and a level of consistent self-monitoring. It is rarely a straight line.
"Did I tell you that I am getting terrible blisters after running?" my son informed me.
"Really? That sounds painful."
"My sneakers are shot; they're just in terrible condition!" The bait wiggled in front of me.
I thought about his words, his poor blistered toe.
"Well, I hope your team wins the World Cup!"