Thanks for posting so many fun and inexpensive summer ideas! I've included it in ReadyForZero's Monday Shout Outs for this week: http://blog.readyforzero.com/monday-shout-outs-summer-savings-edition/. Your article was perfect given this week's topic - how to save and earn extra money this summer. I'm personally very excited to try out the Volunteer Match website you linked!
Saving money, earning money and budgeting seem to be the basic yet most important skills. If young people know how to practice these skills well, the rest should come easy. Great article and good luck to your daughter in college!
You're right to recommend those teaching moments. It's hard to get a lot of financial info across to your kids but if you can find the moments when you know that they are engaged (because they are asking for a new toy or shoes, for example) they will be more likely to listen.
Thanks for your comment. Bargain shopping can be time consuming but worth the extra effort. Having your go-to places is especially helpful as Syretha mentions though I could do more myself to develop a personal style (I don't have much of a fashion sense so I appreciated her mention of a "classic" style).
For me, I am thinking that dressing sons is easier than outfitting girls so I have saved comparatively in that area -- they mostly wear t-shirts and shorts, with the occasional collared shirt that are generally easy to find at consignment sales.
I really liked Syretha's focus on her values and putting her goals first above what others expect -- similar to the concept of paying yourself first. In many cases, what people expect seems worthy (that is, if the people are loving parents and inspiring teachers); in some cases, outside influences are not positive ones. But even those who mean well can send the wrong messages. So, I agree that it's best to pursue what is meaningful to you. Aligning money values with personal values will serve teens and adults well in the long run.
It takes effort, but we can teach our kids how to make good choices and have lasting values. It is not easy with all we are bombarded with these days, but that just means we need to make more effort. Our kids are counting on us.
I take every chance I can get to take advantage of the teaching moments as they arise...negative stuff can be as powerful a teaching moment as the positive ones...it all in the spin... :-)
I think the key is involvement, involvement, involvement.
I think all too often we fall into the relm of status quo. Its easy to do because the ads make it as such. As far as clothing goes, I'm doing fairly well in the form of not spending a lot to get my original style. I watch clearance racks, and shop numerous stores before buying even one single pair of shorts.
Great list. We love going camping and can't wait to start the journey this year. The great thing about camping is once you have a tent or camper, you have it the next time you go out. The more you go, the less you paid for your equipment over the long run.
Angel, when you buy a dental discount plan, you have these pluses to enjoy:
1.) Less expensive fee for plan.
2.) No waiting.
3.) No forms to file.
4.) No limit on how often you can use the plan.
5.) Nationwide access to providers.
6.) Immediate savings.
7.) Transparent fee schedules.
8.) Portability.
9.) All household members can be included.
10.) Save a lot on the cost of procedures.
11.) Everyone is accepted.
12.) Citizenship not required to join.
13.) Ability to use with some insurance plans.
14.) You can use a pre-tax plan (FSA, HSA, HRA) to pay for procedures.
15.) Rates for membership to the plan typically do not increase over time.
You can see that discount dental plans are very helpful to save you money.
We are using a textured wash to redo our living room. It's easier and cheaper than repainting everything. I'm not usually so adventurous but the current paint (yellow) turned out to be a little too bright for my taste (after trying it out for a while) so this is an inexpensive redo.
Really good post. I am a huge proponent of the "pay yourself first" principle. I think this is one of the most important things to teach not only teens, but younger children.
I also like the idea of distinguishing between stuff and what is truly important. The aggressive marketing tactics aimed and children and teens tries to counteract this, but as parents, we need to be the light of truth. Materialism and Consumerism seem to be waging war on the innocence and values of our children.
Remember lighting, too. Change your CFLs back to clear incandescent bulbs while your house is on the market, bring in additional lamps, open all draperies and raise all blinds, and turn on all the lights in the place when prospective buyers are coming. A professional stager gave me this advice.
Your frugal because you want to keep your money, and you want to keep your money because it helps you feel safe and makes you feel better about yourself. Knowing that you have more money than other people is a way to attempt to block out insecurities, but it is not something which resolves problems. Not everyone is this way when it comes with their frugality, but it is often a cause. I understand saving your money makes sense when you're planning on spending it on something important... such as a vacation, or a gift for another person. But being frugal for the comfort of having money is another thing. Understanding the difference is important.
Can you get roo mince in Perth? It costs about $8 a kilo from Woolworths and Coles over here and is 98% fat free. We buy it because it is a very lean high quality meat that is cheap, but I can understand that some people would have difficulties bringing their heads around eating it (after all, it is our national emblem!). Also, I have heard some people worry about animal rights (but I think they might be worried about animal rights in general).
If you haven't tried it, and are willing and able to give it a go, it has a slightly stronger (gamier) flavour than beef mince, so a good introduction is bolognaise where the tomato and other flavours can mask it. I have served up roo bolognaise to lots of people (when that was all I had) and they didn't mention the flavour.
I am in the same predicament, and I think the advice from the blogger is right on from the research I've done so far. Makes the most sense. The Blue Book value on mine is 9-10k, I owe almost 12k. I have been paying on it for 18 months (my first car on payments too btw) I think now is the time finally that I will see my payments start making a difference in the Balance owing over the next few months hopefully I will be where I can sell it and come out even. Like you, I have gone without a car before and it really isn't any worse than having this debt hanging over my head, if fact, I miss it compared to this situation!!! The less debt in my life the freer I am and I feel its for real!
We enjoy going to sporting events, but don't like paying full price for tickets. Once a year we go to a NASCAR race and buy the tickets for our son's birthday. We plan way in advance and are able to get tickets for a very good price, usually a two for one deal. We also like watching our local semi pro baseball team play and find coupons in the paper, through email or at stores for discount tickets. We also go on nights when discounts and specials are offered. For pro basketball games (Go Spurs!), I have been lucky enough to win free tickets on radio stations at least once a season and/or have friends with season tickets who, very nicely, offer us their seats when they can't attend a game.
For hanging art, could we get more specific advice than "three inches lower"? Let's say I don't already have art hung; how high should I hang it?
Etsy.com now has a wedding registry!
Thanks for posting so many fun and inexpensive summer ideas! I've included it in ReadyForZero's Monday Shout Outs for this week: http://blog.readyforzero.com/monday-shout-outs-summer-savings-edition/. Your article was perfect given this week's topic - how to save and earn extra money this summer. I'm personally very excited to try out the Volunteer Match website you linked!
wow those directions made great soda so everyone should use those steps :D
I love tips. Quick and informative, thanks for the links.
Saving money, earning money and budgeting seem to be the basic yet most important skills. If young people know how to practice these skills well, the rest should come easy. Great article and good luck to your daughter in college!
Any comments on the teaching value of Kyosaki's finance game?
You're right to recommend those teaching moments. It's hard to get a lot of financial info across to your kids but if you can find the moments when you know that they are engaged (because they are asking for a new toy or shoes, for example) they will be more likely to listen.
Thanks for your comment. Bargain shopping can be time consuming but worth the extra effort. Having your go-to places is especially helpful as Syretha mentions though I could do more myself to develop a personal style (I don't have much of a fashion sense so I appreciated her mention of a "classic" style).
For me, I am thinking that dressing sons is easier than outfitting girls so I have saved comparatively in that area -- they mostly wear t-shirts and shorts, with the occasional collared shirt that are generally easy to find at consignment sales.
I really liked Syretha's focus on her values and putting her goals first above what others expect -- similar to the concept of paying yourself first. In many cases, what people expect seems worthy (that is, if the people are loving parents and inspiring teachers); in some cases, outside influences are not positive ones. But even those who mean well can send the wrong messages. So, I agree that it's best to pursue what is meaningful to you. Aligning money values with personal values will serve teens and adults well in the long run.
It takes effort, but we can teach our kids how to make good choices and have lasting values. It is not easy with all we are bombarded with these days, but that just means we need to make more effort. Our kids are counting on us.
I take every chance I can get to take advantage of the teaching moments as they arise...negative stuff can be as powerful a teaching moment as the positive ones...it all in the spin... :-)
I think the key is involvement, involvement, involvement.
Love them! We just attended an MLS game yesterday, and are looking forward to another one. Wish I could afford NFL tickets.
I think all too often we fall into the relm of status quo. Its easy to do because the ads make it as such. As far as clothing goes, I'm doing fairly well in the form of not spending a lot to get my original style. I watch clearance racks, and shop numerous stores before buying even one single pair of shorts.
Great post!
Great list. We love going camping and can't wait to start the journey this year. The great thing about camping is once you have a tent or camper, you have it the next time you go out. The more you go, the less you paid for your equipment over the long run.
Angel, when you buy a dental discount plan, you have these pluses to enjoy:
1.) Less expensive fee for plan.
2.) No waiting.
3.) No forms to file.
4.) No limit on how often you can use the plan.
5.) Nationwide access to providers.
6.) Immediate savings.
7.) Transparent fee schedules.
8.) Portability.
9.) All household members can be included.
10.) Save a lot on the cost of procedures.
11.) Everyone is accepted.
12.) Citizenship not required to join.
13.) Ability to use with some insurance plans.
14.) You can use a pre-tax plan (FSA, HSA, HRA) to pay for procedures.
15.) Rates for membership to the plan typically do not increase over time.
You can see that discount dental plans are very helpful to save you money.
Thanks.
We are using a textured wash to redo our living room. It's easier and cheaper than repainting everything. I'm not usually so adventurous but the current paint (yellow) turned out to be a little too bright for my taste (after trying it out for a while) so this is an inexpensive redo.
What's with the Dental Discount Plan that Dental insurance don't have?
In a submerged car what you do is remove headrest and use the little metal rod to break window
Really good post. I am a huge proponent of the "pay yourself first" principle. I think this is one of the most important things to teach not only teens, but younger children.
I also like the idea of distinguishing between stuff and what is truly important. The aggressive marketing tactics aimed and children and teens tries to counteract this, but as parents, we need to be the light of truth. Materialism and Consumerism seem to be waging war on the innocence and values of our children.
Remember lighting, too. Change your CFLs back to clear incandescent bulbs while your house is on the market, bring in additional lamps, open all draperies and raise all blinds, and turn on all the lights in the place when prospective buyers are coming. A professional stager gave me this advice.
Thank You!!! toothpaste really works i have been looking for 10 days for a remedy to my MW3!!! Game works really awesome now!!! :D
Your frugal because you want to keep your money, and you want to keep your money because it helps you feel safe and makes you feel better about yourself. Knowing that you have more money than other people is a way to attempt to block out insecurities, but it is not something which resolves problems. Not everyone is this way when it comes with their frugality, but it is often a cause. I understand saving your money makes sense when you're planning on spending it on something important... such as a vacation, or a gift for another person. But being frugal for the comfort of having money is another thing. Understanding the difference is important.
Hi there in Perth from the East Coast,
Can you get roo mince in Perth? It costs about $8 a kilo from Woolworths and Coles over here and is 98% fat free. We buy it because it is a very lean high quality meat that is cheap, but I can understand that some people would have difficulties bringing their heads around eating it (after all, it is our national emblem!). Also, I have heard some people worry about animal rights (but I think they might be worried about animal rights in general).
If you haven't tried it, and are willing and able to give it a go, it has a slightly stronger (gamier) flavour than beef mince, so a good introduction is bolognaise where the tomato and other flavours can mask it. I have served up roo bolognaise to lots of people (when that was all I had) and they didn't mention the flavour.
I am in the same predicament, and I think the advice from the blogger is right on from the research I've done so far. Makes the most sense. The Blue Book value on mine is 9-10k, I owe almost 12k. I have been paying on it for 18 months (my first car on payments too btw) I think now is the time finally that I will see my payments start making a difference in the Balance owing over the next few months hopefully I will be where I can sell it and come out even. Like you, I have gone without a car before and it really isn't any worse than having this debt hanging over my head, if fact, I miss it compared to this situation!!! The less debt in my life the freer I am and I feel its for real!
We enjoy going to sporting events, but don't like paying full price for tickets. Once a year we go to a NASCAR race and buy the tickets for our son's birthday. We plan way in advance and are able to get tickets for a very good price, usually a two for one deal. We also like watching our local semi pro baseball team play and find coupons in the paper, through email or at stores for discount tickets. We also go on nights when discounts and specials are offered. For pro basketball games (Go Spurs!), I have been lucky enough to win free tickets on radio stations at least once a season and/or have friends with season tickets who, very nicely, offer us their seats when they can't attend a game.