Anyone 40+, please take the time to answer some questions about gender/society?

if you are going to make a big mistake, make it when young. When you have people depending on you that is not the time to make it. A mistake when you run a house and support a family could mean your familys roof, your kids college money, your wifes health and medical treatment, your kids birthday, christmas presents, having electricity, or even your familys food.

you can work years, getting ahead, and it only takes one mistake to wipe out everything you worked for and leave your family destitute. Be smart. Use your time and money wisely. Don't run large debts, keep a postive balance sheet for your debt to assets, and save money when possible. When you pay interest it takes from your family. When you owe money the debt owns you.

something always goes wrong. That is just how life is. It can go wrong and you can keep what you have and not jeopardize your family because your not over your head. Or it can go wrong and you can lose everything you have. Then you are explaining to your kids why they cant stay in their home, why they cant have new school clothes. You dont want to be there. Car loans i run three years, or pay in cash. house loan is twelve years. I put money out of my paycheck into a retirement, and a savings. Also the kids accounts directly, weekly, for their savings. i also have a stock account opened for the oldest (will the others also) i have put some money in just to show her how it works and give her another savings.
I never write a check unless the money is there. Don't write a check your ass cant cash. literally or figuratively. i sign my name to a check it is good as gold. i sign my name to anything you can take it for what it is. i stand behind every signature and handshake. I was raised you pay what you owe. you stand behind your word. i never defaulted on anything owed. Personal or business. Your credit could be your familys lifeline if things REALLY go wrong. Dont screw up their life line. Your friends will either respect you and trust you for your word or they wont. It is up to you.
A mistake can cause your family dearly. As i mentioned above. A mistake when you dont have the funds or means to eat the expense of it means you lose your familys things.
That is why we are hard on ourselves about making mistakes. Sometimes there is no second chances you just lose.

Figure your job is protecting your kids from the world best you can, while you prepare them to survive in it.

But if you do it right, you have a happy wife, happy kids, and your not over your head financially so you can sleep at night. And have money saved for a rainy day for your kids college or whatever happens to come up. you may even acquire some wealth to leave them to make their life easier when you die. Or at the least for your wife to live on when your dead. But you have to give them what they need to survive out there.

humility isn't a bad thing. pride is. And if you dont know something, and you should know it, go learn it. No one will give it to you. Sometimes knowledge isn't just power, it is knowing how to survive. Dont be afraid to jump in.

wow. you can tell i was raised conservative eh? Theres some advice. Take it for what it is worth to you if anything. And don't be a asshole.

"Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender "(Proverbs 22:7,)

Very nice. Words of wisdom my friend, I have learned a lot from this nice thread.

Thank you.

Responsibility is key, but I must ask, what is the best way to correct a mistake? Admit you were wrong. make reparations if need be. Apoligize if need be. sometimes you cant correct it. it is done. make sure you learn the lesson that comes with it.You do the best to follow your moral conscience. To do what is right. That is all you can do. How does one overcome the fear of failure? you are guaranteed to fail when you stop trying or are afraid to try. And being afraid doesn't help anybody or yourself. Attempt to put your fears away and make up your mind to just do it. Even if it requires more than one attempt. Some things don't come easy. It is a battle everyday in some cases. But showing up is half the battle. Don't be shy about looking above for some strength. I believe in a God, a Creator, so I assume turning problems to Him to be the ultimate thing to do. Depends on the problem. He gave you some natural tools at your disposal, and a inner voice for guidance, and a book that gives directions. The book is a great tool when confused and lost. Easy to happen in life. If you are still perplexed. look above for it.Your money advice is sound, I will take it into consideration. yes my friend, you remind me a lot of my father. VERY smart with financial obligation. You seem responsible for your money, yet you are more than willing to share your wealth for the greater good of your family. I do not see too much greed in you, excellent. I believe I shall follow your footsteps when it comes to money, I am still very young and have a part-time job...but I have been able to save a nice little sum of money (more than all my broke friends), and I feel the reason I have been blessed is 1) my father's example, and 2) finally accepting God, or our Creator.

Your children, I am sure, will follow in your positive footsteps!!!!

Any other things you would like to inform me? I would truly enjoy hearing.