Teach Your Kids to Save Money

A lot of teens today do not understand the value of earning and spending money. They were not taught;  that investing is necessary. Although they may  still be  students. Parents, you play a crucial role in this area. You should be able to teach your kids  how to save money. They should be able to understand the concept of money and investment as early in childhood as possible. This will prepare them to learn money management, as they grow old. Here are some tips on how you can teach your children to save money: 1. Your children should be educated of the meaning of money. Once your children have learned how to count, that is the perfect time for you teach them the real meaning of money. You should be consistent and explain to them in simple ways and do this frequently so that they may be able to remember what you taught them. 2. Always explain to them the value of saving money. Make them understand its importance and how it will impact their life. It is important that you entertain questions from them about money and you should be able to answer them right away. 3. When giving them their allowances. You need to give them their allowances in denominations. Then you can encourage them that they should keep a certain bill for the future. You can motivate them to do this by telling them that the money can be saved and they can buy a new pair of shoes or the toys they want once they are able to save. 4. You can also teach them to work for money. You can start this at your own home. You can pay them fifty cents to one dollar every time they do extra work.  I say extra work, because they should be expected to contribute to the family in some way.  If you pay them for doing their regular chores, they will miss the meaning of family helping each other.   This concept of earning a little “extra” money will make them think that money is something they have worked for and should be spent wisely.   (As a side note, you could always deduct “taxes”.  This will help them learn about how we support our government.  (The “taxes”  can be put into a special fund for their future use). 5. You can teach them to save money by giving them piggy banks where they can put coins and wait until they get full. You can also open bank accounts for them and let them deposit money from their allowance.  I know, I know.  They would never earn enough interest on their money to be able to show them any benefit to a savings account.   But you can take this money and invest it in an IRA like account.  Giving them the chance to learn about stocks, bonds. Mutual Funds, etc.   You should always show them how much they have earned to keep them motivated. Money and saving is not something that is learned by children in one sitting. You should be patient in teaching them and relating the value of money in all of their activities. Children will learn this easily if you are patient and consistent in guiding them and encouraging them in this endeavor.   Views: 391

Peyton Manning To Denver

Just in. Jeff Saturday, Peyton Manning’s long time snapper. Will break up the duo and head to Green Bay Today it was announced that the former COLTS quarterback has decided to move to Denver. As it appears to me the Bronco fans seem so immersed in having Tim Tebow lead their team.   One must wonder what their reaction will be.  Will they welcome an aging. up the (and somewhat questionable health quarterback), or will they be Tebooing, the future hall of famer Peyton Manning. Their is talk of Colts snapper Jeff Saturday following Manning to Denver.  Why break up a successful team? I question Manning’s decision to continue to play football and risk his health and possibly his life,  to follow his wish to extend his playing career.  After all of his surgeries he must think of himself as the “Six Million Dollar Man”.  Better, Stronger, etc.   But even though the doctors may say he is good to go….well we all know the fact a repair is not always as good as the original. I know during my later  years I knew the time had come for me to retire from sports I really enjoyed.  I made some money.  (Less a year, than Manning gets probably from one play on the football field).  But I had become a single parent and realized I owed my time to my children.   I do not think Peyton Manning has given this much thought.  What happens if he takes a severe hit and either ends up paralyzed or worse.  What about his quality time with his children.  I guess you could say I am just looking at this from  a negative point of view.  I think of it as a realistic point of view.  For me money is a secondary, third concern.  Family first.  I would much rather have the memories of raising my children than the money I could have amassed.  I wish him well with his career and his health. One last comment before I close.  It is Peyton’s choice.  I hope it is the correct one.  Remember it took the Colts a few years to learn to play “Peyton Manning Offense”.  Will he be able to play at Denver long enough to teach them to play “Peyton Manning Offense”?  If he can will he be around long enough to capitalize on it? Good Luck Peyton. That Is How I See It. Views: 185

Facebook or Tweet Shhhhh

I know many of you are big fans of Facebook  and of Tweeting.  Many people like the idea of people knowing about what they are doing.  Not me.  I like my privacy. Remember there are downsides to everybody knowing what you are doing.  Not everyone who reads your posts know whether you are joking or being serious.  Sometimes it doesn’t matter what you are doing they will put there own connotation to it. Searching for a job?  Your potential employer may just look you up on one of these medias.  He may get a totally different picture of you than you presented at the interview.  Or you may not even get the interview because something there didn’t strike the person who does the hiring,  or recommending for hire, in the vein it was intended.  Things which would not usually come up may be mentioned and bias the employer. People have even lost jobs because of these two medias.  Or others like them.  Even if you only have a family page.  It could work out the same way. Look at your newspapers.  How many students get in trouble at school for things they post. You could be inviting a stalker.  (Even if it is just a cyberstalker).  Parents be careful you may be attracting  a child molester to your sight. Just be sure not to put offline contact information or the like, on your post.   Or vacation plans. Law enforcement have made cases out of content of these medias.  True or false,  they might just decide you need to be investigated.  Use your best Judgement. Maybe I am just too cautious, and protective of my personal business.  But, I choose to not let everyone know my business.  You know enough about me by just reading my blog. That Is How I See It. Views: 112

Cost Of Entertainment On Rise

I just read where Disney World  is increasing the price of a day pass.  Admittedly it may not be a big increase.  I really don’t know.  I once won a 3 day stay there, which included flying down, and back, with a  room and continental breakfast.  I told them to give it to someone who would go.  It would take about a $million to get to Florida.  Well I might go for $100,000.oo.  I was there once.   Drove 18 hours to get there,  After reaching our destination, I stayed 5 hours and came back home.  Worst place I have ever been.  Exception might have been Camp Eagle.  But that is another story.  It may just be in my blood.  My Dad went there to visit my Uncles who moved down there.  He hated it too.  My son went to college there one year.  He is a little more lenient than my Dad or me.  He will go there for a day or two to visit friends. But back to the rise in costs for Disney World.  Now it  isn’t just Disney World,  it seems most amusement parks are raising their prices.  We all know sometimes a price increase has to come along.    As employee’s need raises, and employee benefit cost raise.   So I’m not really knocking them for the price increase.  However, when you think about the overall cost for someone like me to go as a family of four, it really is quite pricey. Assume it is still the 1800 miles I traveled the last time.  (There wasn’t Interstates all the way, so went by U.S. Highways),  I think a good estimate for cars now is 26 mpg average.  So round trip of 3600 miles, figure gas cost now about $3.50 a gallon, equals about $485.oo. Entry at $80.oo time 4 equals $320.oo. Now we are at $805.oo.  Even for me 1800 miles is too much for a one day trip.  Figure, driving the interstates, it is at least a 2 day drive.  Thus we end up with at least 10 meals each for the round trip.  Even eating at Burger King, we are looking at $200.oo for food, and that is not counting any drinks or snacks you have while on the road.  Two overnight stays at a motel, (one going, and one coming home), that’s at least another $300.oo.  I don’t know if Disney World charges to park there, I have been to some Amusement parks that do.  But most don’t.  So I’ll assume Disney doesn’t.   Now we are at $1300.oo  and just getting in the gate.  Assuming, (again), you and your children spend what we spent the last time I took my family, which was several years ago, on drinks and food and souvenirs we’ll ad another $100.oo.  Up to $1400.00 now.  And let’s face it how much are you really going to get to see or do in one day? I know most of you are probably thinking WOW! that’s not bad.  I suppose not but after driving 12 hours a day, for 2 days to get there, and 12 hours, a day for 2 days to come home. (Let’s not forgetting listening to the children and wife all that time while trying to keep your mind on driving),  is it really worth it?  Again probably yes, just to see the kid’s having fun. But for me that is more than I make each month.  AND I still have my house payment, utilities, food, auto expenses, etc. But don’t worry, even if I could afford it I wouldn’t go.  Disneyland in California would be another thing. That Is How I See It. have been just getting Views: 125