Career Confidence

25My Dad Never Made More Than $30,000 a Year

My dad never made more than $30,000 a year. He worked in a factory. Sometimes he bartended in the evenings or on the weekends. Sometimes he cut grass, took odd jobs, or did maintenance work. He never, ever, ever talked about money. Or being poor.

He is the happiest, smartest, kindest, funniest, and most competent human being I know, and have ever known. Now in his eighties, he is still the first person I call when something breaks or I need advice or I get the urge to take a spontaneous road trip.

He always says, “I'll be ready in 10 minutes.”

Once he was working for an automotive manufacturer. He came up with this idea to repurpose a tool the company used, saving it millions of dollars a year. The company offered him a $10,000 bonus and a promotion into management. He took the $10,000 and turned down the promotion. He took us to Disney—the one and only elaborate vacation we ever took as a family.

Years later, I asked him why he turned down the promotion.

He told me “I loved getting home to your mother and you girls at 3 p.m. each day. I didn't want the headaches or time away from my family.” Honestly, he was smart enough to be running the place … but he chose his life over his work.

Don't get caught up in the hype. So many posts, stories, or “advice” from people who say you can't be happy unless you make X amount of money. It's simply not true. I am fascinated by all the social media people who have adopted a simpler way of life. ...