Parent Interview

I learned a lot by interviewing a parent about finance. I learned about how my parents use certain techniques like having a buffer amount of money and working hard to get what they want. It was an inspirational interview and I definitely learned something about finances in real life.

I was surprised when I asked my dad what decision a young person could make to secure a good job in the future and he said to look at supply and demand for jobs. I wasn't expecting this answer as I thought he would say something like work hard but instead he talked about how you had to look at where there was high demand for jobs but low supply of people to fill them. He said that these jobs generally pay the most and are the better jobs to have. However he did add that success did not necessarily come from how much money you made because you can still be happy making little money.

My father said that the most important thing to know about finances was that you do not have to make a lot of money to be happy. He said that the trick is to live your life on the budget you get and don't make life into a struggle for more money.

I asked my dad a bunch of questions but I think that the most important question was, "Do you have any good tips for teenagers looking to make early decisions in finance?" To which he replied, "Work hard and don't get too wrapped up in making a lot of money."

The experience gotten from asking an adult about finances is something that I found really valuable and that I think everyone should get outside of a classroom environment. You can be taught an infinite number of things in class but a real life experience is priceless.