My Childhood Savings Journey: From CoolMathGames to Building Dreams
When I was a child, my favorite game at elementary school was Run 2 from CoolMathGames. I was the best in my class and easily cleared level 20 without any difficulty. Although I might not have been exceptional, I was undoubtedly the top player in my elementary school. This experience instilled in me a sense of achievement and a knack for top performance that carried into other areas of my life.
Turning My Passion into Reality: From CoolMathGames to Financial Wisdom
As I grew older, my initial interests began to shift from games to tangible wealth. My journey started with a simple yet powerful lesson: saving. At the age of 8 or 9, I took to saving like never before. The opportunities for earning money were few and far between - a small amount from grandparents on Christmas and birthdays, and occasionally some pocket money from parents. But despite the scarcity of income, I developed a disciplined habit of saving that would color all aspects of my life in the years to come.
My Quest for Legos: A Love for Building Blocks
In my pursuit of Lego sets, I became obsessed with collecting as many as I could. My parents often had good deals on Lego sets, selling them to me at the same price they paid for them, including tax. With these savings, I steadily built up my Lego collection, purchasing a few sets each year and saving up to 80-100 dollars. Having a steady flow of savings, I could finally indulge in buying sets with hundreds of Lego bricks, often a few at a time. This passion for building with Legos provided a foundation for my financial discipline and my future aspirations.
Enhancing My Earning Method: Lawn Mowing to Quality Cash Flow
Realizing that the income from my grandparents and parents was insufficient, I sought additional ways to earn money. At 10 or 11, I started mowing lawns, which provided me with a consistent source of income. By saving over the summer, I would accumulate a decent amount of money by the time school started. With around $95, I would visit the Mall of America and shop to my heart’s content, often coming back with substantial change. This early experience of managing and utilizing extra cash became the catalyst for my future financial habits.
Becoming the Family Financial Advisor
Soon, my savings enabled me to become the go-to source of cash for my siblings and extended family. Whenever they needed cash, they would come to me, either writing me checks or promising me money. I felt a sense of importance and pride in being able to help my family. However, the idea of charging interest was not considered, and thankfully, my parents did not agree with this concept.
Developing Financial Habits: A Recorder and a Detailed Plan
Around the age of 12, I became a little more sophisticated in managing my finances. I started keeping a little notebook to record my cash and Legos in a sellable condition, as well as tracking my purchases. I formulated a simple yet effective budget: 10% for church, 25% for short-term savings, 25% for long-term savings, and 40% for spending. My parents were immensely proud of my financial discipline, and this habit continued even into my teenage years.
Engaging in Deals and Investments
As I grew older, I used my savings to take advantage of fantastic deals whenever they were available. With always having money on hand, I was able to make impulsive purchases that my parents thought were well worth the investment. My parents continued to be proud of my savings habits, and I can say with confidence that I've always had a deep understanding of why keeping track is important.
Looking back, my childhood savings journey started with a simple game, evolved into a disciplined habit, and eventually turned into a valuable financial education. Today, I can confidently say that the lessons I learned from CoolMathGames and my Lego sets have laid a solid foundation for my financial future.