I must apologize ahead of time. I usually try to refrain from complaining on my blog, but as you have noticed, my title is 'Pet Peeve'.
I have one.
On Sunday nights, we watch America's Funniest Home Videos. Inevitably, the $10,000 winner is always asked, "What will you do with the money?"
And, just as inevitably, if they are parents, they answer, "College Fund".
This bothers me.
Families that are given a huge, unexpected gift - $10,000 - and all they can think to do with that gift is tuck it away in a safe spot for college.
Now, if you watched tonight's show, it was the $100,000 show. The family who won was asked the inevitable question about their plans for the money. Their answer? "College."
Seriously?
I'm no parenting expert, and I am certainly not a money expert, but taking a hugely, extravagent gift and having no fun with it? That sounds lame.
I am not saying that saving money is a waste.
I am not saying that investing in your children's education is a waste.
It just bothers me that no one ever says,
"I'm going to take my kids to the park every day and buy ice cream cones on the way there AND on the way home. I'm going to throw a huge block party and rent every last one of those tacky, jumpy things. I'm going to buy a bubble machine and dance wildly under the bubbles. I'm going to buy $1,000 worth of play doh and who cares if the colors get mixed up. I'm just going to have fun with it and invest it, really invest it in my family. And not one little penny is going to be left around by the time my children get to college...'
So there.
Pet peeve out.
5 comments:
Most of them are probably lying. They just want to sound good on TV.
I like your plan much better!
You have the better plan, that is for sure. But, when you think about it....your plan is still investing in the family! Connecting, laughing and developing memories!!! Isn't that what it should really be all about anyway!
As Tim said yesterday, Jump In The Puddles!!!!
Nobody wants to say what they are really going to do with the money on TV. "College" sounds better than "Boob job and liposuction" for example.
If I won $10,000 I would put it in the bank with the rest of my money. I'm even more boring than those people on tv.
When my husband got a big bonus last year he asked me what I wanted to do with it and I said "get a new furnace/air conditioner". How's that for boring!!! I see it as practical, not boring. Neither way is right or better.
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