Asking children to share the burden of spending less is a reasonable course of action.
If you've lost your job and cuts need to be made Mickey Mantle Jersey , it's reasonable to explain to children that the family will be making major cutbacks. The key is to reassure them that your family is safe, that you're in control of the family finances and that their basic needs will be met. Luxury items will be put on hold.
Even if no one has lost a job, you can still communicate to your children that your family will be spending less each month Babe Ruth Jersey , therefore, some of the privileges that they are used to having are being scaled back.
In either case, your child is likely to have questions Derek Jeter Jersey , "Will we lose our house?" "Are we poor now?" "Why can't I have these shoes?"
Reassuring your children that their basic needs will be met is important. Pointing out that your family is a team and as a team each person has a contribution she can make on how to spend less money is a great way to approach the issue, too.
When framed in a positive way this is an opportunity to teach your children how to save money and spend wisely which are critical life skills to have. Listed below are 10 practical solutions you can use with your kids.
10 Tips for Teaching Kids to Spend Less:
1) Shop from a list. Before you go into any store, make a list of what you need. Don't stray from your list and don't let your children stray from their list. This is a key strategy for reducing impulse buying. It takes discipline and discipline is essential for reining in spending. When your child asks for an item while you're at a store ask: "Is it on our list?" If not Wholesale New York Yankees Jerseys , don't buy it.
2) Do product comparisons. Before you and your children go shopping, have your child do some research on a product you'll be buying. My children wanted a bean bag chair for their tree house. They made a list of three stores and called each store to inquire about the size, color and cost of the chair. (Before the calls began we wrote a script for them to follow with proper phone etiquette.) Not only did they save money Wholesale Yankees Jerseys , they also learned about customer service. Online research can also be done.
3) Clearance aisles. Most stores have a clearance area. Teach your children to shop there first.
4) Make marketing strategies transparent. Point out that the expensive items are placed at eye level while the cheaper goods in a grocery store are on the bottom shelf. Show them how impulse items are displayed near the check out lane.
5) Have a family meeting. At your family meeting, have a discussion about wants vs. needs. See what your children come up with. Then show them the reality. Teach your children about the cost of necessary items such as electricity, food Cheap New York Yankees Jerseys , insurance and house payments. Budget money that can then be used for "wants" to contain unnecessary spending.
6) Brainstorm ways to save money together. Kids are very creative. Let them use their creative juices on how to save money. For instance, you could brainstorm on how to save money on DVD rentals. Ideas might be: trading movies with other families; using the $1.00 kiosks at retailer outlets; and checking out DVDs at the library.
7) Shop garage sales. Most kids love a treasure hunt. If you have items you need, have them scrounge through piles at garage sales. Or Cheap Yankees Jerseys , have a garage sale yourself to make money and let the kids keep money from toys they contribute to the sale.
8) Use coupon sites. Some popular sites are: ; ; ; ; . Give your kids half of the money saved from the coupons they find.
9) Set limits on the number of times to eat out. Planning a weekly menu can help cut down these costs. Involve your children in menu planning and find ways for them to help cook the meal they selected.
10) Set a budget for kids' activities. Most children are overscheduled. Take this opportunity to talk with your child about what cuts can be made and have your child prioritize the activities they want to do.
Helping your child to learn how to manage money wisely can save your family money in the short-term and can help them be wise consumers in the long-term.>The Four Things That Will Set Up A Successful Home Business Office Posted by nick_niesen on October 28th, 2010
Starting a home business is a big undertaking. There are key elements to properly set up a home business. If anything is forgotten or left out it could make starting the business difficult or impossible. The following are key elements that every home business owners needs to have in place before actually starting their business.
The Computer System Every home business owner knows they need a computer. Most home businesses operate the majority of the time on the internet, so a computer is essential. The computer should be as up to date as possible with at least word processing and database programs. Virus protection is also recommended to keep the computer safe and to prevent possible problems. Having a printer is also a good idea so important papers and documents can be printed easily. A scanner may also be appropriate in some cases. All hardware and software should be the latest versions the business owner can afford.
Internet Service As mentioned Yankees Aaron Judge Jersey , most home businesses operate online, so an internet connection is important. For ultimate speed and reliability a high speed connection is the best choice. High speed connections allow large amounts of data to be uploaded and downloaded quickly. High speed internet connection save time, which means saving money for the time conscious home business owner. If a dial up connection is the only connection a business owner can get or afford then the fastest one should be chosen.