It's All About the Money....

As a kid I remember the first "big ticket" item I saved my money to purchase. It was in the Service Merchandise catalog. It was $36.99. It was a gold banded Timex watch, that looked a little like THIS (except in 1987 14ct gold). I was 13 years old. I had barely started babysitting and jobs were few and far between. It seemed like every time I earned ten bucks my parents were reminding me to tithe and save. Spending wasn't really talked about...like most kids I didn't really have any trouble doing that!

Now it's time for me to start really teaching my own kids about money and I can hear my mom and dad's voice in the back of my head....tithe, save...then spend. It's true....I sound a lot like my mom these days. So, I've been trying to talk to Savannah and Tucker about how to manage their meager money. Along with mastering percentages, Savannah is learning to think about purchases more before she makes them. She's signed up for discounts at her favorite stores and receives the occasional e-coupon on her iPod touch. She's making progress, but still needs much, much, much guidance....and I need a recorder with my parents voice ringing out "tithe, save, spend."

Tucker's a whole nother story....at 7 years of age he barely understand that we don't have a money tree growing in the back yard. I've started paying both the kids for EXTRA chores at home. He is understanding that when he works he gets paid and when he doesn't ...no money exchanges hands. He enjoys earning a quarter here and there and is ready to open a back account for all his cash (his words).

There are plenty of resources out there to help us teach our kids about money. If we don't teach them, someone will. The world's methods of dealing with money is to borrow, borrow, borrow. But as Christians, we know God's Word teaches against that. So, if I am going to do my job well, I've got to instruct them according to God's word. Here are a few resources that might be helpful as you do the same:

Dave Ramsey's Junior Clubhouse

Compass has two great books The ABC's of Handling Money and The Secret to Handling Money God's Way.

Crosswalk.com has a great article about talking about money with your kids.

Money Matters for Teens

Just because your family may not have a lot of money (its all relative anyway) doesn't give us as parents the excuse not to teach them about money. If we don't do it somebody will. I don't know about you, but, I've looked around and am pretty sure the world doesn't know how to do it God's way.

Making Cents

This week I've priced over 100 children's garments to be placed in a consignment sale in March. I've been saving them up for a while and then I found a couple of boxes of baby clothes in the shed...I decided it was high time. Good gravy. I'm really wondering if it's worth it. By the time I print the tags, buy the safety pins, rummage up some hangers and make sure that everything is relatively wrinkle free I'll be second guessing myself for sure.

But, I made a kind-a-sorta goal to try to manage our money better this year and I think this is an easy way that I can recoup some money for S and T's summer clothes. I love the thought that I might not be out any $$$ for their summer clothes!

If you're in East Texas, check out Sellebrate Kids. It might be just the thing you're looking for to sell or buy used kids clothing.

Do you resale you're kid's clothing? Where? Consignment? Garage Sales? EBay? I'd love to hear your tips!

February Goals

Goal setting...it's Biblical. Run the race...press toward the goal....press on.... Proverbs 13:16 says,"A wise man thinks ahead; a fool doesn't and even brags about it!" So with that in mind, here are a few goals I have for the month of February.


Spiritual: 

1. Read the book of Proverbs and journal the things the Lord points out to me.
2. Read The Me Project by Kathi Lipp

Physical:

1. Walk 50 Miles
2. Eat Healthy
3. Lose 5 pounds (at least)

Family:

1. Pray with kids more...not just at bedtime or meals. More when disciplining and teaching and correcting.
2. Edify and pray for Bruce more.
3. Teach Savannah to scramble eggs.
4. Get new tires for Tucker's bike and help him learn to ride without training wheels.
5. Continue Meal Plans

Household:

1. Organize laundry room.
2. Get back porch ready for spring.
3. Buy Easter decorations for year round tree and decorated by end of month.
4. Change Air-Heat Filters Out

Financial:

1. Save money for missions conference.
2. Coupon more.
3. Get the kids Savings Accounts transferred to SS

So now that this is all neatly typed out, I guess I should get busy and start on something. 


I'd love to hear what you're working on for the month. Leave a comment below!

Couponing, Meal Planning and More

I posed this question in my facebook status yesterday:

Favorite coupon site or tip?

Do you have one? I am looking into some serious ways to be better stewards of our money. My plan is to get my coupons in order (any tips on that would also be appreciated) and then after we return from vacation in 2 weeks to get busy saving some cash on our food expenses.

I hear meal planning and couponing go hand in hand....so if you have a scrumptious low cost recipe that you want to share feel free.

I'll combine all the responses and link to your blog later this week.

Thanks for your help!

Thankful Thursday

I have so much to be thankful for this week. Head over to Women Taking a Stand to link up with this week's Thankful Thursday bloggers.

This week I am thankful for:

1. Making the final payment to the credit card company.

2. For the opportunity to have worked from home the last 3 1/2 years with a Christian PR firm.

3. For the opportunity to quit that wonderful job and focus on my family and their needs right now....I know crazy...with the economy and all...but I am thankful for the still small voice that tells me "do this".

4. I am thankful for a husband who knows my heart and allows me to be who I am....even when I am not sure who that is!

5. I am thankful for a God who knows the path ahead and makes the way clear one step at a time.

So...what are you Thankful for this Thursday?

Budgets

Today I spent the day with this gal:

She's grown so much over the last year that a shopping trip was in order. Dad told her she had X amount of dollars to spend and that she couldn't go over it. So we headed out to her favorite stores...Children's Place, Old Navy and Kohl's. She found some great deals and came home with lots of summer clothes that FIT! She did a really great job weighing her purchases. Once she even found something that she really liked, but decided it was just too much for her to spend on it. I was so proud of her!

Teaching our kids about money is one of the most difficult things about parenting. I want them to understand that money doesn't grow on trees, that we are to be generous with what we do have, and that saving for a rainy day is essential in these tough times...and always. Such adult things to be teaching them, yet foundational in raising children to be adults with a clear head about finances.

Wow....who knew this parenting gig would be so tough! Thankfully God' word has plenty to say about money, saving, debt and other stewardship topics. He's got it covered!

Couponing

I've been thinking about couponing for quite a while. I remember when I was growing up, my mom would spread out the coupons on the kitchen table and make her menu's for the week based on what was on sale. She was an expert! For some reason I have never thought the trouble was worth it...but recently I have been intrigued to see all the people who are couponing it in this tight economy. So, I am going to try my hand at it. I'll keep you posted on how it turns out.

I found a great site with all kinds of tips on money saving/frugal living. Check it out here: The Creative Homemaker