Trent Ling wasted little time spending his hard-earned money as he grew up. This website now houses digital images of the first check that he ever wrote–at age 11. After establishing a savings account years prior, Trent sought better access to, and more fluid use of, his funds. “Surely, a checking account would do the trick,” he figured.
“I very well remember writing this check,” Trent recalls. “I was trying to buy an inflatable boat to get ready for the hydroplane races on the Columbia River that month. The clerk was not willing to accept my check without first calling my mom. I remember thinking, ‘my new checking account is only going to be a big hassle if everyone must call my parents any time I make a financial decision.’ I soon discovered mail-order options, where vendors naturally assumed that I was ‘of age.'”
This artifact adds to the voluminous, documentary evidence that Trent was born with wild ideas, and received ample encouragement and aid from the best and most indulgent parents that he could have ever hoped for. “Like I always say, ‘best childhood in the history of childhoods,'” Trent concludes.
So, what gives this check away as peculiar? The elementary-school penmanship? The obscure bank name? Or, the six-dollar price tag? All of the above! Here is check 1A:
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I actually also had the first check ever written until 2006 (I believe) when I cleaned out my attic and disposed of things that I felt no longer served a purpose. Oh man, what a bummer. Thanks for sharing this, your open-book life continues to feed everyone who is fortunate enough to find this website. Thanks to the teachings of this ministry, both my sons have their own bank account in which they deposit their gifts (mainly their grandparents) whenever we see fit. At the ages of 5 and 7, it’s something they really enjoy partaking in. One day I’ll convert those saving accounts into checking accounts and I’ll let them experience what you’ve shared with us here. I very much look forward to my boys enjoying this freedom. In fact, with the availability of debit cards, maybe I’ll start this for them now…
Very sweet. God placed you with the right parents that’s for sure!
I can see the great job Meme and Papa did, and the talents you have, Om Trent. And as always, marvel at how you now use the talents for God. Because as I know myself, my sneaky ways and always trying to find way out as deceitful as it could be–so I get what I want–just like you commented “I soon discovered mail-order options, where vendors naturally assumed that I was ‘of age,'” I could only imagine what would come out of talents if not used for God. Thanks for sharing, always delightful to read! Love you.
I have to add to my last sentence, my little allowance of some rupiahs… just enough to by a popsicle 🙂
I remember this story, and now I got to see the real check you wrote at age 11! You were so official with a cursive handwritten and all :0) How did you become a wheeler and dealer at at such a young age? It came down to a supportive parents you have. Kudos Meme/Papa. I’m proud of all three of you. Hey I knew how to spend my little allowance when I was 11.
I hope the parents that read this realize that you earned the money you were spending. And you couldn’t cash a check quick enough after opening your account. The checks were not yet even printed with your name, etc. Such a wheeler-dealer you were! Selling all sorts of seeds and gimmicks to our unsuspecting neighbors who couldn’t say ‘no’ to such a sweet boy. And all those years on the paper route of over 100 customers. We were the lucky ones.
I agree with Julie. As a father I should give Natalia room to grow as a person. Why put a limit to creativity, drive, or motivation on what she pursues? Encouraging her God-given talents will only help her soar higher. Papa and Meme rock :)!
This is so cute. The girls don’t get checks and it’s only a savings account. First Line was a innovator :o) Alicia has been wanting the Monopoly game with the bank cards, after reading this, she’s so getting it. I’m actually going to have her read this posting later today, both girls would get a kick out of it.
It’s a reminder of how as a parent, I need to give more room to the girls to create and do. More and more I see how they need to be driving what we do and I just sponsor it. I’m glad Meme and Papa encouraged you so and it set a good example. love you and thank you!
What a wonderful glorious rebuke. What a horrific mess I have made. I believe, based on how things are now – I kept that attitude forever! (Hey! we have money – now, how should we spend it?!) I never saw how the spending was draining everything and how really precious was the opportunity to save! I go into the Credit Union and there is a number that they have on the screen – it is an accumulative number of all transactions – the number is large – it is very, very humbling! How horrific – to now see the error of my ways. And the chase for replacement of funds wasted over all the years! Father, I have been a fool!