The Power Of Financial Freedom: Affording Opportunities

EOD_Opportunities_picWhen you’re under the constant crushing weight of debt, you develop tunnel vision. All that matters is finding some way to get to the next paycheck. It’s basically simple survival mode. It’s difficult to fully understand just how debt can impact life until you find your way out from underneath it truly begin to live life again.

I was reminded again this past week just how much debt can affect the trajectory of life.

My son is into online gaming big time. Once a month he hosts a gaming party where 8-12 of his friends bring their computer to our home. Tables are setup, snacks are purchased,and pizza is ordered. They play games until the early morning hours. Apparently there are gaming tournaments as well. From what he tells me, the tournaments usually take place in Japan, and sometimes Europe. For the first time ever, a tournament is being held in Austin, Texas in May.

My son wants to go to a gaming convention in Austin, Texas in May.

My wife and I agreed that the only way he could go is if I went with. We started investigating just how much it would cost (per person) to go:

  • Ticket to Tournament: $60
  • Hotel : $100 – $200 per night (2 nights)
  • Airfare : $450 per person

The ticket to the tournament isn’t bad, but the airfare and hotel make it an expensive weekend trip. Plus, we haven’t even considered food and spending money yet. But here’s the thing; We’re still giving serious consideration to going.

First, I made it known to my son that he would have to supply funds for his tournament ticket, airfare and spending money. He shook his head in agreement, as if it was expected. He works about 20 hours a week, and has an automatic transfer set up from his checking account to his savings account to force himself to save. He has plenty of money saved. Even after paying for this potential trip, he still would still have a nice savings account balance.

Good financial habits have provided the ability for him to easily pay for this opportunity.

When we were deep in debt, this kind of activity would be a non-starter. There’s no way there would have been that kind of money left over in the budget to pay for my airfare, hotel, and spending money.

Lack of debt provides the room in our budget to pay for this opportunity.

It all comes down to value. On the surface, and to many people, a weekend trip across the country to a computer gaming tournament may not hold much value. But, digging a little deeper, there are these thoughts:

  • My son is seventeen and a junior in high school. There are not likely to be many more of these opportunities for my son and I have life experiences like this before he heads off to college and starts his own life.
  • This is his thing. One could argue that supporting his desire to go to the tournament might actually be a great financial lesson in itself. The lesson of working hard and saving money gives you opportunities. This is exactly why we work hard and stash money away; so we can do things that make life enjoyable.

They say that money doesn’t buy happiness. They say to value experiences over money – I’ve even said this. But many times those experiences and opportunities cost money. When you have debt, you have no choice but to let those opportunities slip away.

About Travis

14 Responses to “The Power Of Financial Freedom: Affording Opportunities”

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  1. LOVE this, Travis. We run our home the same way and it’s really allowed us to do some fun things and allowed our kids to experience the joy of saving for something on their own. You guys will have an awesome trip!

    • Travis says:

      As the planning has proceeded…..this looks to be a great experience. I am excited for him to be able to do this…AND I’m excited to be exposed a little to his gaming world!

  2. My son and I have been talking about a similar trip to a gaming convention in Boston. (PAX East) All about experiences and making memories. It’s so much easier when you don’t have debt and your children contribute. Hope you guys make the trip!

  3. StudMuffin says:

    A poker tournament? Good Lord… NO!!!!

    The lessons taught at such a place are the polar opposite of what you preach. I feel you’re undermining a lifetime’s worth of valuable lessons you’ve tried to impart to him. But it’s your child, not mine.

    • Travis says:

      I’m not sure where you got the impression it was a poker tournament, StudMuffin……it’s a video game tournament. Teams from around the world compete playing video games. 🙂

  4. Sassy Mamaw says:

    lol Poker is a game, too…

    Besides food, (if the hotel doesn’t have limo service), don’t forget to add in the price of a rental car. I am often able to find deals on airfare, only to be undone by the cost of the rental car. You may find lower airfare between now and then, too.

    It’s so important to teach this lesson. There is a REASON we are working and saving money all the time. So we can have FUN!

  5. I’m still in the habit of knee-jerking “We can’t afford it!” given that our finances are still more tenuous than I’d like. But we’re getting to the point that I have to remember that once in a while it’s okay to actually use money for the here and now.

    The trip sounds like a great use of money. It’ll be a memorable trip, and like you said, you’re only going to get so many more of those.

  6. I think this trip is a wonderful idea. And the fact that your son is going to pay for his plane ticket, tournament ticket, and spending money is great. Better still, he thinks he SHOULD pay for these things. He’s not spoiled. This is a win-win all around. Enjoy it!

  7. This is awesome and yes, it’s the reason you wanted to get your finances together to begin with. Having the money to afford opportunities that are important to you is the reason to live a financially responsible lifestyle. Go, you!

    • Travis says:

      I’m super excited to be exposed to his world, Holly……it’s going to be a Ton of fun. I’m more interested in seeing the CosPlay contest than anything else….lol.

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