The $5,000 CD Player

Peter, our youngest son, is a man of many talents. It’s hard to say which is his greatest, but perhaps it is his people skills. He has a personality that people enjoy and charms them at the same time. 

Peter was famous for using this talent when it came to his mother, my first wife, Carol. I believe it worked this way. He asked me for a favor and before I thought things through in a clear, intelligent way, I said “No.” 

Usually, this word came out of my mouth faster than a hummingbird can flap its wings. In fact, I have been accused of having the fastest mouth in Utah. It has been well documented. Everyone in my family knows that I can say “No” quicker than most people can even think it.

I am convinced that Peter developed this particular talent by practicing on his mother, and he got around my handicapped mouth by first selling Carol on the idea and then letting her deal with the fastest mouth in the West. 

He did a great job with her because when he convinced her that he desperately needed something, he would let her work on me until I recognized the error of my ways, and gave in. This is dangerous because at times it cost us lots of money.

The best example I can think of was several years ago when he convinced his mother to purchase a $5,000 CD player. 

Of course, this expensive CD player is really my way of describing a Yamaha Electronic piano. Carol told me she was going to look at pianos with Peter, and I told her to be careful (because I knew Peter had this ability to convince Carol of nearly anything, especially once he got her into a store).

Carol listened to me, but she listened to the salesman and Peter even more. When Carol and Peter walked out of the music store, they left with a $5,000 bill. When they got home, they called me on the phone and tried to convince me of the great deal the store offered them. I was out of town on a business trip, but checking with other music stores, I realized that they did get a great price. Nevertheless, I still wasn’t too impressed because we still had to pay for it.

After the most expensive CD player I ever heard about was delivered to our home, I watched Peter play it and develop his musical talents. It wasn’t long before my attitude changed. Even the ‘fastest mouth in Utah’ loves listening to him and knows the price tag was worth every penny.

Most of us must live within a budget. As our kids grow, often so do their wants and wishes for this or that shiny new object. We can use these moments to teach them to pause, weigh the pros and cons, learn to balance immediate gratification and financial wisdom. I’m glad Peter got tremendous value out of the piano and hope he learned not only to play it but how to make wise choices as well.

Happy Failing Forward,

Calvert