Schooling a Single Soldier

I just got home from conducting a Singles’ Retreat in Kansas City. One of the classes I teach is a course in personal financial management – I do very basic stuff, but believe me, it is needed. Anyway, when I go over the section on investing – the power of time and compounding interest – I stress repeatedly that NOW, while they’re young and relatively free from financial obligations, is the best time to throw some money into their future and let it sit. I show how the prospect of retiring as a millionaire is doable.

Anyway, when I mentioned a reasonable amount – $2000 per yr – that I know they could afford, (because I know how much money they make, and I know they have no room-and-board type expenditures) one female Soldier looked at me in utter disbelief. She said to me, “I’d have to NOT go out to the club one weekend a month!”

I then went into a discussion about delaying gratification, having a long-term mindset, sacrificing a little now for a huge payoff later, etc…. and her response, “Well, you’re only young once and you’re not guaranteed to live until you retire.”

To that I said, “You’re right… it is your money and I believe you should do with it what you think best. But know this: When several years have passed and you come to your senses and you realize that you have squandered all your money at clubs and bowling alleys and parties with your friends and then you try to make up for your own lack of foresight and planning by trying to vote to get the government to take money from people like me who have made sacrifices and invested wisely… when you do that, don’t be shocked and surprised when we resist your efforts to cover your rear by taking from us.”

Dog gone it! I absolutely detest this low-class mentality that I want to do what I want but then use the coercive power of the law to take money from those who have been wise and prudent.