Teaching kids about money

My husband and I have walked a hard financial journey. We bottomed out a few years back, and took some to recover financially. We still don't have strong savings, and with the one real breadwinner piece, it's hard to really get ahead. I wish that when we were both working part time we had done better at planning for our financial futures.

I want my girls to make wiser financial choices in their futures, and I know, like anything else, training will be easier when they are younger. We've done some training. They get $1 a week in a "paycheck" for completing their assigned chores, plus the possibility of a little extra for extras sometimes. When they get paid, they have envelopes to put 10% in savings and 10% for tithe. We talk about money stuff, in a good way, around them.

I am excited that in our homeschool co-op in the fall, a few of the moms will be presenting a class for the kids up over 3rd grade on money management. It's something I think I'd like to sit in on. Never too late to learn....

Tag Sale

Today we hit a great little tag sale at a church fundraiser - all the kids' toys and such were ten cents. The kids had a blast filling up bags and I looked like a hero for $2.50. My kind of sale :)

A Full Cup

Hey there - just wanted to share a website that I mentioned in passing previously, but hadn't elaborated on.. www.afullcup.com . It's a community of sorts of folks who really like to save money, and it has lots of coupons and other links on it to help us to do so. Really helpful stuff, even though the Target coupons are currently not usable (problem at Target regarding other counterfeit coupons, not this site). Lots of good stuff :)

Frustrated at Target

I was all excited this morning, because I had a great deal lined up at Target for Pamper's diapers and wipes, using manufacturer's coupons and Target's web coupons, on top of a sale. I found out about it on http://www.moneysavingmom.com/, which linked me to http://www.afullcup.com/ , where I printed the coupons. Anyway, I got there and at the checkout found out that they are not accepting any of their web coupons anymore, because of some counterfeit ones that are circulating around. Stinky!!! I would have gotten two packs of diapers, good ones, and two packs of wipes for next to nothing! One cheater spoils it for the rest of us!

See New York without spending lots

I was reading a magazine the other day and they mentioned a program I remember hearing about a long time ago, but it had slipped into the dusty corners of my mind... The Empire Passport Discount Program. When you purchase this season pass you can get unlimited day use vehicle entry into most all of the NY State parks, rec facilities, DEC preserves, boat launches, arboretums, and park preserves. It's $59 for unlimited use - each time a carful. I believe AAA members can get discounts on top of that too. A cool way to see lots without spending lots.

Snowball Effect

I was just browsing along online, and found Dave Ramsey's website. I'm sure many of you have already visited there (http://www.daveramsey.com/), but it's chock full of helpful money tidbits and tools. He mentions in specific a debt management tool called the debt snowball effect (I've linked the article here: http://www.daveramsey.com/the_truth_about/debt_reduction_3606.html.cfm ) that basically teaches you to pay your smallest debt back first, so you can build momentum and be encouraged. This is a little different than what I've always heard about paying highest interest first, but psychologically, it makes sense. Anyway, check it out. Some good food for thought!

CVS

Checking out the Money Saving Mom website again and see that CVS has some very happy July extra bucks things going, plus some great weekly specials. Can I fit that into my crazy post vacation to do list??