This is my solution so far: pay off 100 acre homestead in five years. Only 516 a month so it's doable. Feed my family and eventually other families so they can take care of my land/ animals while we're out traveling/ visiting. Getting insurance for us and guaranteed insurance for the kids so the grandkids get $250,000 to start life. Start generational wealth. (about $6000-$10,000 depending on age of kids when paid off in one shot. 140ish a month for 18yrs if not. I'm going to pay these off asap) The government gives you this money already for most people so why not give them the financial help I wish I had. I have over 2600 Sq ft of raised beds to grow perennials and vegetables. This step and more over time with animals fruit trees will help me feed my family. Generate income and reduce my working for others. I buy 100,000km mini vans I can pay off in 2months or less insteading of new. Wife got her G1 today after letting it go 20years ago. Very proud of her. Teaching skills to our kids and ourselves. Swimming/ scouts/ music/ dance/ sports/ homesteading. We keep them in the loop on our finances and our efforts to pay off bills. Financial education is key. I told my eldest about hunting/ trapping/ ham license and she's interested! I want to do my ham license with her. I gradually preparing for self sufficiency with items and emergency fund. Anything else I can do? What's your strategy?

To live an honest Christian life, to care for my family and respect others. Take those precautions that are in my-mind reasonable to take. Protect my family and those who need protection to the best of my ability. To die in-peace, knowing that I followed a moral path without regret.

I'm not motivated by financial wealth or position. My life centres on God, family and trying to do the right thing. That's enough for me. The cares of the world don't trouble me to any appreciable degree.

No money can replace the reward you get from seeing your grown up kids happy happy and living respectable life.
I have 3 boys all having very satisfying jobs that they love.At least once a wk they always call us make sure we are OK. They constantly remind us that if it is getting hard for us just to call them and there is always room for us with them or move close to them ,so we do not have to worry something happens. That is the old way where kids took care of aging parents. Even our grand kids call us , just to talk . What a reward for the sacrifices we did for our kids.
I do lot of work helping people in need and it is very very sad to see when old parents do not even know where their kids live.Many times it makes me cry when I see how some of them live. I do not want even think if any disaster happened.
Henry

Money isn't everything but it makes life a lot easier. Sound financial education can make the difference between starting out dirt poor and fighting your way through life. Or being ok and wording about what's important; Family! Hopefully I'll be able to worry less about money soon!

Money isn't everything but it makes life a lot easier. Sound financial education can make the difference between starting out dirt poor and fighting your way through life. Or being ok and wording about what's important; Family! Hopefully I'll be able to worry less about money soon!

I think I understand what you're saying. Money is required in today's society to live in that society. There are however extremes:

1. Being Dirt Poor

Disadvantages - Focus is on obtaining the necessities of life, less of a chance of being well-educated and obtaining well paid employment
Advantages: Hard work is required for success, you appreciate what you have because it hasn't been given to you. How you spend your time is usually well thought out.

2. Having Life a lot Easier

Disadvantages: The person often hasn't had to learn how to do hard things. Expectation that this is how life is and will be. Hard work is optional.
Advantages: Focus is on aspirations, higher chance of advanced education and social position.

Balance

I was born into a poor family and didn't go to university until I had a full-time job. During that time I spoke with several students who didn't really care about their studies. They had to do something and Dad was paying. They failed courses because of their lack of effort and too much partying. It was ok because Dad would pay for them to take the course over. It was more time in-which they could not work and go to school.

Today's generation is all about entitlement. There are of course exceptions, but this statement is a truism.

I too have three grown sons. I helped them out financially during their first year of school, then it was on them. The eldest one is a professional student with three degrees (all of which he has paid himself without a student loan by working as an Officer with the CF Reserve: full-time contracts), the second is a veteran (Afghanistan) now a Police Officer with the RCMP (also a university graduate) and The third a college graduate who's now with the Navy. All have been use to doing hard things.

One of the most important things to learn about survival is that it's hard. You don't stop. You don't quit. Never say never. If something needs to be done, do it. Don't expect someone to do it for you. The World will not help you. Do for yourself then look to help others. Be aware that some people will want to take advantage and be prepared to stop helping them. You can be dragged down in their laziness. Let them go.

I'm a proud Dad that appreciates that my children have their shortcomings. If there's one thing that I've taught them, it's not to quit. That's something that I value. I've seen too many men stand around with their hands in their pockets when there's work to be done. That's a dynamic that can't be learned by being comfortable. Entitlement? Yes, you are entitled to do for yourself...

I agree with all that Wayne but it's a non issue with my plan. This insurance will give us 50,000 if one of the kids get an illness like cancer. The life insurance won't be issued until my kids die. By then the grandkids will no doubt be 60-70yrs old and the amount divided by the amount of kids they have will make life more comfortable and pay for the insurance of the great great grand kids. If one dies young then it will be a thank goodness moment