Father’s Day is on Sunday, and so I started thinking about dads and the roles they play in our lives.

I have been lucky enough to have two dads, my real father and my step father. With very different approaches to life and money, I have been able to learn from both and take away a balance that I carry through into my financial planning practice.

My birth father had nothing at the end of his life and this was totally irresponsible, however, he and my mother stole away summers during my childhood to our family summer home ‘Springtide’.  This experience is his legacy and I will forever cherish the memories and how this has shaped my life. 

I have never forgotten my step father’s words, his father taught him to save half of everything he earned, and so he did. I can’t say that this savings plan has passed on to the next generation, but he is a responsible patriarch who has been a rock for our blended family and taught us financial responsibility and coached us through major decisions in our lives. He has supported every business I have been involved in from selling Cutco knives, start up funding for Golf Fore Gals, and today he trusts me with his investments. These values of supporting and encouraging family are his legacy to me. 

I believe that we all need to find that balance between living, security, legacy and meaning in our lives. Every family has a different balance of these elements guided by their unique values. And so my two fathers have provided examples, both good and bad that have shaped my values. Today I work with families to help them create their balance through conscious financial decision making. 

Take a moment to reflect on your father’s legacy and what you want your legacy to be.