My father grew up in a small, conservative town in Wisconsin where ignorance was frequented. His parents were not college-educated, nor did they have much exposure to the world around them. My dad was gifted and hyper-independent as a child. In high school, he played varsity sports and was all-conference as a football running back, even receiving division-one offers. That did not stop his focus in school, as he was a straight A student and got accepted into Ivys, or from work as he continued working three jobs to save up for college. He did well in college as a first-generation student and saved up for law school, where he also succeeded greatly. Now, he is a law professor and, despite being lower-middle class as a child, is quite wealthy.
My mother grew up with academic parents, and though they were not upper class financially, their circle was. Her mother, my grandmother, was an abused child and eventually an orphan, so her progress is admirable. Education was a prominent focus, so my mother’s success in school was never surprising. Still, both my parents make significantly more money than anyone before them.
I doubt I will make more money than my parents, but I also do not to. I know that we do not need what we have, and others do. My upbringing spoiled me, but I also have exposure, empathy, and shame. Financial freedom is something I have always had, so I will never be fulfilled by the thought of being rich. I know that you can be rich without being happy. I would rather live less lavishly but donate money to people that actually need it.
