Yes! Money Can Bring You Happiness

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UPDATE 12.9.24: Moments with family are the uncontested best parts of life. Some days you’ll never remember, but others, when things are going just right, you’ll never forget. For Your Survival Guy and Gal, those days are the ones spent with family. We just returned from Key West, where we had Thanksgiving. Read more below about the kinds of days you’re putting all the work in for.

Originally posted on April 30, 2020.

It was a typical Sunday morning. The kids were up early, shows had been watched, books read to them, and pancakes eaten.

Standing up with a cup of coffee, looking out at the backyard full of leaves and sticks, I thought to myself:

“I could easily let the morning go and forget about the yard. Or, I could get the job done in a couple hours and perhaps catch some of the Pats game.”

As I was tying my boots, I felt them staring down at me. One of them asked, “What are you doing?”

“I’m going to rake the yard. It won’t take long.” I said.

“Can we help?” they asked.

“Maybe you can come out later,” I said.

An hour later, falling out the front door, we gathered the rake and, walking to the backyard, I explained how to make piles of sticks under the big tree, and showed them what I meant.

I remember how serious they were (initially) watching me do the job, the look in their eyes, staring at me while I showed them what to do, and having their complete attention.

“OK, I can do that!”

“Me too!”

I think the Pats won that day. I don’t remember.

But I remember that day like it was yesterday.

I would take another one like that in a heartbeat. I guess that’s why being a grandparent is so great. (You also get to go home when you’re tired).

Being a young parent is hard. The memories are priceless, but you tend to realize this in reverse.

You also realize that money can bring you happiness, especially when it helps your kids and grandkids make memories of their own.

Originally posted on Your Survival Guy.