Hearts at Home
I am finally remembering to include that in my post. And I figured out how to put the little picture in my blog, too!!! Just a quick side note, this is a big deal, because I am not the most technologically savvy person. God gifted me in other areas instead.
The topic this month is how we teach our kids about money. I would love to say that we have an awesome system and our kids are so responsible about tithing, saving and spending, but the Bible says the truth shall set you free. So for the sake of freedom, this is not reality.
Fortunately, for all our "opportunities for growth" in this area of parenting, I believe we have done some things right. My husband felt very strongly that our children not get an allowance. They have to earn their money. They have many opportunities to earn money around the house and at some of the businesses my husband has. We also pay them to read (we got the idea from John Maxwell), a penny a page for easy math. My oldest daughter is a voracious reader and got some pretty good paychecks over the summer with this one. They do not get credit for required reading at school, though. We have also let them decide where to invest some money in the stock market. My husband was given stock as he grew up and always loved getting dividend checks, even if they were for $0.32! They all have stock in Disney and some other companies that kids would love.
One of the other things we have done is my children are responsible for their own cell phone. Too many kids get put on mom and dad's plan and run up crazy bills or break their phone so they can get a new one. My kids saved up to get a Tracfone and then were responsible for buying their minutes. Keeps the texting and phone calls from being excessive when they get low on minutes.
We have had the charts, clear money jars, goal posters and such over the years. Mostly we include them in some discussions on money and give them opportunities to choose how they want to spend their money. We give them a set amount of spending money on vacation and they are responsible for any souveniers, gifts, or treats they want. One time our son got angry, slammed a door and broke the glass. He learned how much it cost to replace and took quite awhile to pay it off in installments.
We have tried to teach our kids how much things cost and how much work is involved in earning that money. The money tree in the backyard still has not sprouted $100 bills. Drat!
Hope some of these ideas help and check out more resources for even better information.
Have a blessed day!
