Passport Stamps and Penny Wisdom: Lessons from My Dad

Some of my favorite memories of my dad are getting the AAA Triptik and the Road Atlas ready for our family vacation, a pencil tucked behind his ear. He was a planner—not just with directions, but with dollars. Whether we were taking a road trip through the mountains or driving our frequent trip to Florida, he made sure we had a budget and a backup plan.  My dad had a strong work ethic and spent most of his career at one company where he usually took a couple of vacations a year.  Once we were in grade school, we always traveled during these vacations. 

As I got older and started traveling on my own, I realized how much of my financial mindset was shaped by those early adventures—and by him. Travel and money are often seen as opposites. One is about freedom and spontaneity; the other is about structure and responsibility. But thanks to my dad, I learned they actually go hand-in-hand.  I also appreciate him teaching me how to read a map so I can follow directions to find my way back! 

Here are a few financial lessons I learned from my dad:

1. Plan with Purpose, Then Leave Room for Magic

My dad loved an itinerary, but he always built in unstructured time. That approach taught me that financial planning doesn’t mean saying no to fun—it means creating space for it. By setting aside money in a “fun” category, I’ve been able to enjoy spontaneous moments without financial guilt. On our recent trip to The Netherlands, Belgium and France, we booked a few tours ahead of time, but left plenty of time to just wander around exploring, sightseeing, enjoying the food and culture.  It was nice to have free time to relax each day.

Lesson: Budgeting is about freedom, not restriction. The more intentional you are, the more flexibility you gain.

 2. Cash Is King (But a Backup Card Doesn’t Hurt)

Back in the day, my dad carried cash for everything.  He wasn’t a fan of credit cards and also had my mom carry some emergency cash tucked inside her purse, just in case. He’d also make sure he had one credit card for travel but rarely used it. One of my memories where things didn’t go as planned, he pulled out that credit card.  Florida had a hard freeze and we were headed to Disney World that day.  Even though we were used to the cold of Michigan, we had all packed only warm weather clothing.  He bought us each Disney sweatshirts at the park so we could enjoy the day.  Today, I use apps and the digital wallet on my phone, but I still carry some cash and always have a travel-friendly credit card on hand with no foreign exchange fees.

Lesson: Diversify your payment options when you travel. Don’t put all your trust—or all your funds—into one method.

 3. Know the Value of Experiences Over Things

Some of our most memorable vacations were the simplest ones. Campgrounds, homemade sandwiches, checking out the local towns and swimming in the lake. My dad believed the best parts of travel weren’t in the souvenirs—they were in the shared experiences. That mindset has helped me curb impulse purchases, both while traveling and in everyday life. I usually bring back something small, but the memories are great!

Lesson: Spend money on what matters—things that create memories and connection.

 4. Expect the Unexpected (and Save for It)

One summer, we were driving to the west coast and our truck broke down in Missouri.  After having it towed to a shop and staying overnight in a rainy, muddy town we found out the truck needed a new engine and would take several more days to fix.  My dad didn’t want the vacation to be ruined with us being stuck in Missouri instead of Arizona, so he called the credit union to get his limit raised and bought a new truck on the credit card.  My dad didn’t panic—he had an emergency fund. He made it clear to us that this was an emergency and he had the money in savings to buy a new truck so it would be paid off as soon as we got home.  Watching him calmly handle the situation taught me the power of being financially prepared, especially on the road.  I was reminded of this as we were moving from Amsterdam to Belgium on the day of a train strike.  We canceled our train tickets and booked a bus so we could continue on with our vacation.  Life and vacation sometimes come with roadblocks that can be turned into adventures. 

Lesson: Travel and life both come with curveballs. A rainy-day fund makes all the difference.

 5. Live a Rich Life, Not Just a Wealthy One

My dad believed in working hard, saving smart, and taking the trip. He didn’t wait for “someday.” He passed away in 1999, only 10 years into his retirement but he had traveled most of the United States, parts of Canada and Mexico with us and Germany when he was young and in the Army.  I believe that his philosophy on checking out new places and trying new things has guided how I live my own life.  It also influences how I coach my clients.  Don’t wait until it’s too late to enjoy what you are working so hard for.

Lesson: Financial wellness is about having choices, not just having money. Travel reminds us why we save in the first place.

If he were here, I think he’d smile to see that the lessons he passed on about money and about life are still making the journey with me.  To date, I’ve been to 13 countries and most of the United States and I hope to be able to continue traveling for many more years. 

Whether you're saving for your next trip or just trying to feel more secure day to day, I hope this reminds you that smart money habits can be deeply personal—and deeply empowering.

Want help planning your next financial adventure—whether it's a vacation or a long-term goal like a house? Let’s talk. Book a free consultation at www.msvaluenc.com.