Search Results for: blog allowance strategies for families

An Allowance Chart and Buying Candy!

My three-year-old daughter took her twenty cents to the grocery store and insisted on buying candy. Twenty cents won’t buy much – in fact it won’t buy anything, and I really worked on getting her to wait another week until she had forty cents. But no, she was so excited to earn money that off we went to find some candy she could buy with her pennies. Teaching my daughter about money is going to be fun, – and also a challenge. She can be pretty strong willed. I’m lucky that she is also very funny and generous so her … Continue reading →

To Pay or Not to Pay – Allowances and Chores

Giving an allowance to a three-year-old child for chores done around the home gets some people riled up. Not everyone agrees with my decision to fork over twenty-five cents for help with cleaning the litter box. In fact, a while back there was a great blog post explaining the two schools of thought: 1. Pay for chores 2. No pay for chores Some parents strongly believe chores should be completed as part of family life, with no reward – and I used to think that way as well. Other parents use a combination approach where some chores are done as … Continue reading →

My Three Year Old’s Cash Allowance!

My three year old earned her her first allowance today. I didn’t plan it. Hubby and I thought we’d wait until four or five to start allowance, but the opportunity arose and…… Daughter was watching me clean the litter box. “I wanna do that” she said, so together we scooped and cleaned, and then washed our hands. “Can you do that with me every time,” I asked? “Yes Mommy,yes” And so I counted out twenty-five pennies with her. Five pennies immediately went into her piggy bank. We talked about it going toward her first car when she is seventeen. (I’m … Continue reading →

Budget Strategies: Don’t Forget Work Expenses

One area that is often overlooked in budgeting is that of work expenses. These items can sneak up on you, and may make you wonder where all the money is going. It is important to consider these items as you make up your budget. If you both work, it is even more important to plan for these expenses. It may not be fair to take this money from blow money or allowance categories, since many of these expenses are not by choice. Here are four work expenses categories to consider. 1) Does your office have a monthly fund for birthday … Continue reading →

Budget Strategies: Include Fun Money in Your Budget

One important factor in helping you to stick to your budget is that it allows for some wiggle room or fun spending. This is an area that really can make a difference. In many ways a budget is like a diet for your money. If you set yourself up with too many restrictions you are setting yourself up for failure. It is important that you realize this and you may want to make the changes more slowly, so that you do not fail. One important thing to include in your budget is a fun money category. This should be spending … Continue reading →

Allowance Strategies for Families

When it comes to kids and allowances, there are two main schools of thought. The first says that kids should be given money simply as a learning tool with no chores or responsibilities tied to it. And any jobs the kids do around the house should be done free of charge. After all, no one pays you to do the laundry do they? The second school of thought is that any money kids are give should be payment for chores that they do. After all, no one gives you money for doing nothing, right? As someone who thinks (and blogs) … Continue reading →

How Being a Stay-at-Home Parent Saves Money

Are you a stay-at-home parent or want to be? Good news! While you may not be earning and income, chances are you are saving a ton of money. Here is how. Child Care Fees Let us start with the obvious, child care fees. If you aren’t staying home with your children, you will probably need to pay for child care. The cost of child care can be high, sometimes wiping out any income you are gaining by working. Obviously this depends on your position and income level, but it is the first expense you should allow for in your budget. … Continue reading →

Should You Pay for Chores?

Parenting experts disagree vehemently on the issue of whether or not children should be paid for chores. Each side strongly believes that they are right, quoting studies and analysis that support their position. With such a polarized debate on the issue, what should parents think? How can they determine whether or not to pay their children for chores or to offer an allowance outright that requires no work conditions on the child’s part? Let us take a look at both sides of the issue. On the one hand, paying a child for chores rather than giving a free and clear … Continue reading →

Value Depends on Gratitude

I’ve spoken before about the value of something depends on how badly you need it. If you’re stranded and the first gas station you come to after a five-mile walk is charging eight bucks a gallon, you’ll gladly pay it just to get yourself out of the desert. But value is also dependent on how willing you are to receive. As a writer, I attend conferences and enjoy listening to the speakers. Some presentations are awesome, and some don’t hit quite the need I have. It’s interesting to listen to the other attendees out in the hallways. Some will say, … Continue reading →

Health at School: Lunch Time!

Ah, the school lunch. The cafeteria has come a long way since I was in grammar school, where you had one meal option and one “alternate” Sandwich choice. Even by the time I was in high school, the cafeteria had stepped up to compete with the local eateries in town, offering multiple hot and cold meal choices. Still, your kids might not want to chow down on cafeteria food every day — or you might want to save money and send lunch from home. Here are some tips to help ease the lunchtime battle. Set a lunch allowance. My parents … Continue reading →