If the Family Were a Set of Traffic Lights

Mrs. Hampel's Got Plans

The kids, Malte (25) and Pia (26), have grown up, but Malte still lives at home with his parents. Now, Mrs. Hampel decides that it's time for a major renovation. She wants to modernize the house, garage, and garden, making everything future-proof for the children.

Well, as everyone says now, "Put your money where your mouth is - that way, the children will benefit someday."

Malte agrees with his mother's plan. He dropped out of university and can't seem to gather the motivation to work. When his neighbor Friedrich asks why, Malte calls it his "exploratory phase."

Mom and Dad don't care. They continue to finance their son's car, vacations, food, and clothes. They've even promised him more allowance for January. "It's all getting more expensive," says Mrs. Hampel. And nobody will be left behind, not even Malte!

The Big Renovation Project

Mrs. Hampel draws up a financial plan: replace the old gas heating system with a more climate-friendly heat pump (which is subsidized). But the house would need full insulation, and a really smart solar system, wind turbine in the garden, gas composter, and eco-toilet are suggested.

"Don't share that secret, Mrs. Hampel!"

Mrs. Hampel goes to the bank, asking for a loan - but they laugh her off because her and her husband's retirement savings can't cover such an expensive project.

Unconventional Help

But luck comes knocking in the shape of a financial expert who offers a special fund, reassuring that other neighbors would also use one, and the banks wouldn't care. Mrs. Hampel just needs to show a certificate for her special fund to the tradespeople, and they'll start working without her needing to accumulate the assets.

"Trust is essential, Mrs. Hampel."

And so, the house is gutted, everything but the bathroom and cellar remaining. The old heating system is gone, and a new one is promised soon. The electricity is canceled, but the wind turbine and heat pump are not yet in place.

Everyone works hard, and the Hampels are "confident," telling their neighbor, "There's enough money. We're on the right track ..."

Mrs. Hampel imagines her new future with a greenhouse, solar panels, and an eco-friendly lifestyle - until her daughter, Pia, becomes skeptical and concerned about her inheritance. Pia takes legal action.

The Expose

In the end, nothing comes of the heat pump, wind turbine, or biogas composter. Only Malte receives his electric car after all - now being paid for by the social welfare office, allowing him to attend his retraining course at the job center twice a week.

Malte still doesn't know what he wants to be when he grows up.

One November morning, Friedrich walks past the remains of the Hampels' construction dream with his dachshund, Waldi. Waldi lifts his leg, peeing in the front garden.

"You see, Waldi," says Friedrich, "only the grass is green here. It was too good to be true ..."

Insights into Financial Strategies

The story "If the Family Were a Set of Traffic Lights" is a metaphorical tale about family finance, which can be interpreted in many ways. Despite not specifically talking about financial strategies like using special funds, some lessons can be derived from this fictional tale:

1. Budgeting and Planning: Creating a budget is crucial when taking on large-scale renovation projects. In the story, insufficient budgeting led to the Hampels' downfall.
2. Transparency and Honesty: Keeping secrets or hiding financial information can potentially cause more harm than good. The Hampels involved third parties, which could lead to unforeseen consequences.
3. Long-term Planning: Focusing on planning for the future instead of living in the present can help families achieve financial stability. The Hampel family had great intentions, but their hasty actions led to unintended consequences.
4. Reliable Sources of Funds: Relying on reliable sources of funds can prevent unnecessary financial strain. If the Hampels had opted for more conventional funding methods, they might have avoided the legal issues.
5. Responsible Spending: Prioritizing needs over wants can help families avoid falling into debt or overspending. The Hampels, in their eagerness to upgrade their home and car, disregarded their responsibility towards their daughter's inheritance.

So, while the metaphorical family and their traffic light-inspired house renovation may not reflect modern financial strategies, the story does provide some valuable lessons about planning, honesty, long-term thinking, and responsible financial behavior.