How did you justify paying for a reach over a financial safety?

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<p>All other things equal, it is great to have more life skills. But all things aren’t always equal. There are different ways to live, learn and thrive. I think CC’s flaw is that it devolves into someone stating that the way they have done things is the only way or the best way to do things and that all of the other parents (or kids) are doing it wrong and are going to suffer.</p>

<p>I hadn’t done ANY of the things on the original list by the time I went to college and still don’t do some. I didn’t even know how to put oil in a car. I’ve somehow survived. Indeed, I think most people would think I have been extremely successful educationally (attended three of HYPMS), professionally (was a professor at a famous institution, worked as an i-banker, PE guy, hedgie, and then started and still run a successful small but global consulting firm, have written influential books, work on fascinating problems, have an impact on the world every once in a while – helped end a civil war, for example), financially, and in terms of my family (wonderful wife and great kids, celebrating our 30th anniversary this year). I actually feel really blessed to have the life I have.</p>

<p>I think I changed a tire once (although now I too have a BMW). I still can’t sew on a button. And, I’m fortunate to have people to take care of a lot of my life for me so I can concentrate on the things I do that add value to my clients or the world.</p>

<p>@blossom, I would argue that one life skill more important than any that you have mentioned is the ability to make sense of data and statistics and make decisions under uncertainty. This matters for managing our health, finances, product purchases, making political decisions and many other aspects of life. From my perspective, most Americans are woefully lacking in this life skill. The second is learning how to learn. If you have those two life skills, you can handle most everything else.</p>