Hey Dad,

Life is good at the Wilson home. What looked like the makings of an upchuck pandemic has been checked after only two days of my son Cal (almost 2) throwing up every 30 minutes like clockwork. I assumed it would sweep the ranks, but I think it has run its course, sparing the rest of the flock. Since I'm the one assigned to bodily fluid cleanup, I'm relieved.

So on to the topic at hand: the economy. Yes, you heard me right. Everywhere I go the headlines are dominated by the struggling economy and the Hillary/Obama battle. I'm going to leave the H/O topic alone—for now, but I thought it was time that the Familyman weighed in on the present economy.

After careful examination of the turbulent stock market, the slumping housing market, the rising energy costs, and the general uneasiness of the global economy, I've determined that … there has never been a better time to be a dad.

My advice? Now is the time to plan that family vacation, have another child, or do that thing you've been talking about for years. I know that this advice flies in the faces of most economists, who advise us to hunker down and weather the storm.

But as I always say, when life gives you a storm … find a puddle and splash in it. This is not the time for dads to put off that summer camping trip you've been planning, scrap the adoption plans you've been putting together, or postpone the weekend trip to that special place that you've been promising the kids. Matter of fact, this is the perfect time and could be the only time you've got to do "it."

Forget the cost of fuel and the unstable economy, and stick to your plan. Financial guru Larry Burkett used to say, "Don't sacrifice the present to save for the future … that may never come." I'm not saying go into debt or put yourself in financial jeopardy, but if it's a just a matter of making sure you'll have enough to retire someday—spend it now on the family you have today.

The future has always been uncertain, but the present is certain. I constantly meet dads who put off the present, hoping that things will get better in the future. But what ends up happening is that they miss out on both.

So, Dad, listen to this economist: Take advantage of what you have today. Make the plans, fill up the gas tank, make your reservations, have another child … and then let God worry about the future.

You 'da Dad,

© 2008 Todd Wilson. Used by permission.

[02/08/2008]

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