| Nancy Twigg is a speaker and author who loves inspiring others to live more
simply. Adapted from Nancy’s newly revised book, Celebrate Simply: Your
Guide to Simpler, More Meaningful Holidays and Special Occasions (www.celebratesimply.com).
Visit Nancy online at www.countingthecost.com
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Does it ever seem that no matter how
hard you try to save for the future, all your kids want to do is
spend, spend, spend?
Shopping at the malls, dinners at
McDonald's, birthday parties at the arcade. None of these
expenditures seem very large, but put them all together and the
dollars add up fast. Before you know it, the month is gone, and so
is the money you intended to save.
Does this sound familiar? If living
and spending more frugally is on your list of things you'd like to
accomplish, the time to enlist the support of your kids is now.
Without their help, you'll soon find your efforts to save undermined
by your children's tendencies toward consumerism.
Frugality works best when it's a team
effort among all family members. By teaching them the ins and outs
of careful spending now, you train your children and equip them with
money-management and decision-making skills they'll inevitably need
later. Here are some ideas for making frugality a family affair.
Discuss financial goals with the
children. Maybe your family's income was drastically cut when you or
your spouse became a stay-home parent. Or maybe you want to purchase
a larger home or new car. Children are capable of understanding
these things. Be honest with them. Help them understand that
although the family is going to have to sacrifice, everyone will
benefit from having Mom at home or moving into a larger home.
Get their suggestions on ways to save
money. You might be surprised at what your kids can come up with
when given the challenge of reducing expenses. Even if some of their
ideas are not feasible, commend them for their efforts. Use their
input as a starting point for discussing other options.
Find low-cost alternatives. When the
kids understand why expenses must be cut, get their input on free or
low-cost alternatives to expenditures that need to be reduced. If
ordering pizza has become a costly habit, talk to the kids about
what could be done at home that would bring just as much enjoyment.
Maybe a "homemade pizza night", where they help make the
crusts and put on the toppings, would be just as fun as spending
$12-15 for pizza delivery.
Show them ways they can help save.
Little things do add up. Remind the children of things they can do
such as turning off lights or using dishtowels for spills rather
than paper towels. Be sure to praise your kids each time they do
these things without being reminded.
Think of family projects to earn
extra money. Cutting back doesn't have to mean cutting out all the
fun. If the kids want to go to Disney World next summer, discuss
projects the family can do together to earn money for the trip. Is
there a neighbor who needs someone to rake leaves or do yard work in
the spring? The vacation will be even more fun for the kids because
you all worked for it together as a family.
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