Search Results for: blog are you spending too much on extracurricular activities

7 Ways to Manage Kids’ Sport Fees and Costs

There are so many reasons to give your kids the opportunity to be involved in sports, and one big one not to do so–the costly fees. Before you decide to give up the sports altogether, consider trying the following strategies that will help you manage kids sports fees and reduce the amount you spend. 1. Get some perspective Parents can get a little crazy when it comes to sports. They all want their kids to succeed and will provide them with all of the extras that they think will make this happen, such as extra training or lessons, top of … Continue reading →

Debt and Denial

Facing debt is usually not a fun thing to do. As a result of that, many of us are in denial about how much debt we have, how much we actually owe. As one friend told me while she was writing yet another check for her daughter’s expensive extracurricular activities, “I just don’t want to know how much I’m spending. I know I’m in debt and probably won’t get out of it, so why worry?” Well, there are very good reasons to worry. First of all, if your debt gets too large, you could lose everything, including your home. Second … Continue reading →

Inspiring Fiction for Frugal Living

It isn’t too late for a good Christmas story, is it? I hope not. You see, now that the holidays are done, the tree is put away, the bills are reconciled, and I seem to be spending hours each week waiting for my kids in one room or another as they take part in their extracurricular activities, I am ready to get some reading done. One of the books that I have neglected is a collection of inspiring Christmas stories. One story in particular struck me in a way that I am not likely to forget. It centers around a … Continue reading →

Priorities 1

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When I started high school I was told that I’d have to prioritize my life. I was handed a planner (along with the rest of my class), I sat down with my academic counselor, and I was repeatedly told that I needed to keep track of things better than I ever had before. So I dutifully wrote down my assignments in that planner and completed them as they were assigned, right? Well, partially. I sort of worked out my own little system and made it all work. So I moved on to college. When I started college there was an … Continue reading →

Community Ed Classes for Your Preschooler

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When a child is preschool age, they are trying to develop their own personal talents and interests. I know that my daughter is interested and excited about pretty much everything! If you mention soccer to her, she is all over it. Want to do dance? Gymnastics? Piano? Karate? Yes!!! is always the reply. While many parents have the means to put their kids in a myriad of extracurricular activities, many parents, like myself, do not. So, I struggle with knowing what she will like, and what will be “worth” the money. One way I have resolved this issue is through … Continue reading →

The Allowance Quandary

Should you give your children an allowance? I do. For small children who can’t make a lot of money, an allowance gives them a sense of autonomy and choice. I use the allowance to divert my daughter’s “I wants”. Instead of buying items for her, when I do not feel like the item is necessary I suggest that she get it with her allowance money. For older children, there are a number of questions to consider when you begin to give an allowance. What constraints will you put on what is purchased with the allowance? While we might hope that … Continue reading →

Why do I want to homeschool?

According to most reports, we live near a great school. My daughter may eventually attend that school, but I’m hoping to avoid it for a while. This has been a great topic of debate in our family, both immediate and extended. I come from a family of teachers and they value the school system. While many people think of homeschoolers as either hippies or devoutly religious, we do not really fit into either category. Why do I want to homeschool? I like spending time with my daughter and she likes spending time with me. She’s likely going to be my … Continue reading →

Send Home Projects as Extra Credit

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In a previous article I discussed teachers assigning send home projects. These were the more lengthy projects that children were to complete at home along with the help of a parent. In that article I gave some pros and cons of assigning send home projects. Not long after that article was written, one hallway of my school was filled with castles. Some of the castles were very elaborate. All of the castles, except for one, looked as if much time was put into their making. Some of the castles were made from painted cardboard, some from wood. Some had small … Continue reading →

Santa Shop at School

Some schools have many different activities and events for students while other schools only carry out the minimum. I would have to say that my school is average in having activities for the students. We have Christmas programs, music programs, sporting events, and more. Some schools are very creative with the things that they plan. For a while I had though that my school had invented a new idea. Each year at Christmas time, this week this year, my school hosts a Santa Shop. In previous years the shop was hosted by the school. This year it is hosted by … Continue reading →

Tips for Busy Children

While clubs, sports, and other activities can be good for children to help develop physical, emotional, and social skills, children can be involved in too many activities. When a child is overloaded with activities he/she will show signs of being tired. He/she may have headaches or stomach aches. Schoolwork and homework may also begin to suffer and drop in grades. When these things begin to happen, it is the parents’ responsibility to step up and limit the involvement. Parents need to let children know that academics and school come first. Activities come after the work is complete. Some coaches can … Continue reading →