Grasshopper No.3 along with your Mom and I attended our second Clark Howard seminar at the Kimberly High School. Most proceeds from the ticket sales go to Habitat for Humanity.
When you look in the dictionary for the definition of "cheap", there is a picture of Clark Howard. Excitement in Clark's life revolves around a continual series of money saving events. If he will change satelite TV every 18 months to save money. If he can save money by booking airline tickets that stop 4-5 times before reaching a destination (versus direct flights), he'll do it. He will shop where there are no parking meters to avoid parking costs. You get the idea.
What did I learn at this seminar? Clark asked "how many in the audience are debt free". I bet that close to 30% of the audience raised their hands. My conclusion is that Wisconsinites are conservative and many have a few bucks tucked away. I guess not everybody in life is debt up to their ass.
What else did I learn? Saving money very early in life translates to big investment returns later in life. You can't start saving money too early. There is a big benefit to educating your kids about this phenomenon (my Grandchildren).
What else? There is an artform to constantly looking for the best bargains in life. Because things keep changing, you need to constantly educate yourself about financial opportunities.
So how did Clark do personally when he was in town. Well, in an attempt to avoid parking fees in a local ramp, he got a ticket for parking illegally on a side-street overnight and had to pay a $25 fine. Then he bought a Green Bay Packer sweatshirt at Goodwill for $6 versus $25 at Target. It looks like he saved $19 but he bought it for fun because he was in Wisconsin. He probably won't ever wear it again. By my calculations,Clark lost $6. He is an Atlanta Falcons fan. So even the great Clark Howard don't score very well in saving money but he has fun trying.
The lesson Grasshoppers is that you need a disciplined savings program in your life and it helps to be "cheap".
Love,
Dad
That was awfully ambitiuos of #2 to come all the way from Madtown!