CLICK HERE FOR FREE BLOG LAYOUTS, LINK BUTTONS AND MORE! »

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Kids and Money: A Successful Lesson in "WANT vs. NEED"




I am Very frugal by nature so I am always thinking before I buy something "Do I NEED this or Do I just WANT this?" I have saved many "pennies" by truthfully answering to myself that it is a WANT. I usually save up "extra" money from online surveys and focus groups to buy my WANTS. I want my boys to understand the value of money and especially the difference between a "Need vs Want". My oldest child, 11yrs old, got a BIG lesson in WANT vs. Need this past weekend.

One time a year, Tax Refund Time, we give each of them $100 to get some of their WANTS. We figure "we wouldn't be getting such a refund without them, so they get "FUN" money when we get our Tax Refund. We almost always get our refund at the end of March-Mid April. Our oldest has his birthday in April, so we usually pitch in a little more if he is looking at "big ticket' items. He had been eyeing a Nintendo 3DS as the new games coming out are only going to be on 3DS format. He found one he liked and we helped him pay the rest over $100 as his B-Day gift. He was happy and content with his 3DS until about June. He then started "whining" that he wanted a 3DS XL(same type of system, but a bit bigger). I told him he would have to save up or find ways to make to the money on his own.

I explained to him that:
1) His current system was only a couple months old and in PERFECT working order. So his request was a WANT.
2) We don't have $200 to get him a WANT, there are Household NEEDS that must come first.
3) I want him to learn he can't and won't get "instant gratification" in life.

He was upset and whiny, but determined to make the money. He had been thinking all summer about ways to earn money but LIFE got busy, so he never accomplished any of his ideas. Well a couple weeks ago, all that would change.

I received a call from a Focus Group company that I am signed up with. The company was looking for 8-12yr old kids to do a focus group and it would pay $100. He qualified so we signed up. The focus group took place on Wednesday August 7th in Downtown Chicago from 11:30am-1:30pm. He completed the focus group and was paid $100. The boys and I made a day of it and stayed downtown for a while and walked around. GREAT Day!!

He knew he needed $100 more. The weather and time were cooperating so on Saturday August 10th, he did a lemonade stand. We had stopped at Costco the night before and got Lemonade Mix and Big Red Solo Cups. He spent his money as I felt "Loss and Profit" was a good lesson in all this also. He was wise in asking us to take him to Costco as the supplies only cost $17.77. He also chose to spend a few more dollars at Costco on some "wants". My husband and the 11yr old went outside on Harlem Ave(a 6 lane highway, the street we live on) for 90 minutes on Saturday and made $40. He now had about $110 due to the cost of supplies and other goodies he spent money on. He was determined to get the 3DS XL soon and planned on doing another Lemonade stand on Sunday.

I was sitting there and an idea came to me. I suggested to him that maybe he should consider trading in his current 3DS to get store credit at GameStop and that would help him reach his goal sooner. He responded NO way, he wanted to keep it. I said OK your decision. The next morning, while in church service, he whispered to me that he wanted to trade in his current 3DS XL. We get back home and I call our local GameStop and ask about trade in value. They tell me normally it is about $50 for 3DS systems. The better news came when they said "Although right now we are having a Double trade in value" deal, so the $50 would be $100. SCORE, he was soo close to his goal. He also found a few games to trade in and off we went to GameStop. He traded in the 3DS and about 4 games and received a credit of $124.15!! Woohoo, he had enough to get the 3DS XL!! The Game Specialist asked him what color and he choose Red. He had to pay $77.04 with his cash and even had enough to buy his 2 brothers a Pre-Owned DS game! He is a VERY VERY happy 11yr old!!



I am soo glad that I was able to teach my 11yr old all these lessons about Money and Responibility. My sons try to be a part of the "Gimme Society" that is currently happening all across America, but I REFUSE to be a part of that. I want my boys to realize that things in life, both NEEDS and WANTS, have to be EARNED and not Given! I admit that we couldn't "AFFORD" their every want, but I know even I had "all the money in the world" I still wouldn't be allowing my Sons to get instant gratification!

I LOVE being able to Train my boys to be Hard Workers and to EARN their WANTS!

Photobucket
Share/Bookmark Pin It Print Friendly and PDF

Monday, August 12, 2013

Christian Women Affiliate: GET REAL Stop Hiding Behind the Mask by Jamy Whitaker (Book Review)



About the Book:

As a wife and mother of five, Jamy knows all too well how destructive building a façade that everything is fine can be. Tearing down this wall and letting people see the real her-the pain, the struggles, the tears, and the triumphs has been difficult but rewarding. Get REAL: Stop Hiding Behind the Mask examines how to do just that. It delves into discovering a person’s true identity, centered on God’s view of each of us, letting go of the insecurities that so easily entangle our lives and finally, living with eternal perspective-keeping our focus heavenward instead of inward.

Where to Buy the Book: The book retails for $11.99 and can be purchased through these sites:
Amazon    Barnes and Noble     WestBow Press

About the Author: 

Jamy is married to a wonderful man, Mitch. He is truly a blessing from God. He works as a project manager for Interior Fixtures. He is also looking into starting a greenhouse this spring, to sell seedlings and produce. When he is not working, he can be found roaming the 100 acre wood known as Whit-Akers.

Jamy has 5 wonderful children. They range in age from 4 to almost 16. They are one of the greatest joys of her life.

Jamy is privileged to be a stay-at-home mom. This allows her to spend time with the younger children during the day, as well as, taking care of her home.

Find Jamy Online at: 
Website    Facebook   Twitter

My Thoughts and Review:

The title of the Book really caught my attention and that it why I felt the 'need" to read this book. I am OHHH soo glad that I did. The book was a REAL eye opener and super convicting. I know I tend to be a "quiet and reserved' person in public, but in the company of those I know well or in the privacy of my home I tend to be open and a different person. I believe that I tend to do so because I have never really been "accepted" by many, especially growing up. I also tend to get caught off in mid sentence when talking in a group, so I have learned just to not be open. I "pretend' to be shy and "locked up" in public due to many of the issues addressed in the book. The Bible Study Questions at the end of the book, for each chapter, are AMAZING!

I really like how Jamy Whitaker has broken the book up into 3 main sections: Identity, Insecurities, and Prespective. Jamy uses Scripture and Biblical Principles to guide us along in "Unveiling the Mask". One of my favorite parts of the book is when Jamy addressed the many places people wear Masks. The story aligned with the "Church Mask" is our family on soo many Sundays. It is very disheartening that many Sunday mornings we can't get out the door without the bickering and crabbiness. I hope that this "MASK" gets unveiled sooner then later.

I used to be a people pleaser but a few years ago I started to "unveil" that mask and stopped trying to please others and start pleasing God. I have many more "masks to Unveil" and with the encouragement from Jamy, spelled out in Getting REAL, I know I will be on my way to doing so!!

I HIGHLY recommend this book for those who are "hiding behind masks". I also think it would be GREAT for a group bible study! I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!


Photobucket
Share/Bookmark Pin It Print Friendly and PDF

Philosophy Adventure: Full Review and MEGA Giveaway


DO YOU NEED to teach advanced writing and speaking skills?
DO YOU WANT your students equipped to discern truth as ungodly messages bombard them?
DO YOU WONDER how to cover all they need academically as well as practically?
Philosophy Adventure may be your solution!

I told you about a GREAT, new product for Homeschoolers a couple months ago, Philosophy Adventures, and promised a Full review later. I have had the pleasure of using the materials over the summer with my oldest, who is a 6th grader.

I personally was a little "lost" in the beginning as the curriculum is VERY through and Philosophy is not something that has ever "intrigued' me. I did however begin to "grasp it" as we began to dive into the program. My 6th grader, however, LOVES Philosophy and had been "diving" into books of the unknown from the library. I knew upon hearing about this curriculum that being a part of the launch team was something that would be helpful for both my son and myself.

Things I LOVE about the Philosophy Adventures: 

1. The Biblical View of Philosophy Adventures. Stacy Ferrell really did her research and the fruits are seen in how Biblically sound this curriculum is.

2. The Layout and Ease of use of the Philosophy Adventures. The Reader is color coded for the Write, Think and Speak sections. The color coding really makes it easy to make sure you are doing the correct section for the day.

3. The Flexibility of the program allows you to use the program and make adjustments to fit your family schedule or needs.

4. The curriculum covers many different subject matter(History, Critical Thinking, Writing Skills, Speaking Skills and much more) and can be used as a CORE curriculum or as a supplement to the curriculum your family uses.

5. My son is excited about the curriculum and looks forward to studying Philosophy in a Biblical Worldview.

6. The Student Workbook and Teacher Resources book are LOADED with Valuable resources. The resources and printables contained in the both of these books are AMAZING and really aim to make the "Teachers" job simple.


My son and I have had a wonderful time learning about a few of  8 Philosophers in Philosophy Adventure. We are going to continue on and add this to our 2013-2014 School Year. He is very much looking forward to doing some of the work independently, as the format of Philosophy Adventure allows for some Independent work!

A slideshow about the Program: 



A fun video:
 


Philosophy Adventure—Pre-Socratics is now available for Purchase in a variety of Formats and geared towards 6th-12th Grades:

Spiral Bound Physical Set: $89.95

Reader with Resources CD: $69.95

Digital Edition of Reader and All Resources on CD: $49.95 (Full Color)

Digital Download: $39.95 (Full Color)

ORDER HERE
Check out the Sample Pages:  HERE

Now for some AWESOME news. Home School Adventure Co. is hosting a MEGA Giveaway to celebrate the release of Philosophy Adventure Pre-Socratics! The Giveaway runs through August 31st, so there is plenty of time to enter. Check out the Giveaway below: 



a Rafflecopter giveaway


Photobucket
Share/Bookmark Pin It Print Friendly and PDF
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...