We've all heard the saying: "There's no free lunch." Economists use the phrase to remind us that everything has a cost. Even when something appears free, someone, somewhere, paid for it. It's a simple idea. But it may be one of the most important lessons we can teach our children. Children begin life delightfully unaware of what it takes to make a family function. Meals appear. Laundry gets folded. The lights come on. The house [...]
Dinnertime discussions – If we were to list the things that made our family so connected, dinner-time conversations would be near the top. Rich and Shelly wrote on this topic (here) which is worth a re-read. Our take on this critical family engagement opportunity has brought back many great memories. Dinner time was a priority, particularly on Sunday night. Although occasionally Dave would work into nighttime activities during the week, he made it a priority [...]
A Three-Part Series to Help Your Child Learn The Ways of Money Teaching your kids about money – Pre-adolescent thoughts Gaining responsibility about money – Adolescent thoughts Paying for college and being an adult – College and beyond _________________________ College and Beyond Your parenting guidance doesn’t end at 18. It’s as valuable during college and beyond as it’s ever been, just more nuanced. The relationship you’re building will create opportunities for you to share your [...]
A Three-Part Series to Help Your Child Learn The Ways of Money Teaching your kids about money – Pre-adolescent thoughts Gaining responsibility about money – Adolescent thoughts Paying for college and being an adult – College and beyond _________________________ Adolescence Though your children may not be in this age category yet, there are benefits to looking down the road to not only contemplate this topic, but also get a feel for how all topics layer [...]
A Three-Part Series to Help Your Child Learn The Ways of Money Teaching your kids about money – Pre-adolescent thoughts Gaining responsibility about money – Adolescent thoughts Paying for college and being an adult – College and beyond _________________________ Pre-Adolescence What is money to a child? If not told, not trained, and not experienced over an early lifetime, a person might walk the road to ruin with lack of understanding about money and its successful [...]
A Three-Part Series to Help Your Child Learn The Ways of Money Teaching your kids about money – Pre-adolescent thoughts Gaining responsibility about money – Adolescent thoughts Paying for college and being an adult – College and beyond _________________________ College and Beyond Your parenting guidance doesn’t end at 18. It’s as valuable now as it’s ever been, just more nuanced. The relationship you’re building will create opportunities for you to share your hard-earned experience, particularly [...]
A Three-Part Series to Help Your Child Learn The Ways of Money Teaching your kids about money – Pre-adolescent thoughts Gaining responsibility about money – Adolescent thoughts Paying for college and being an adult – College and beyond _________________________ Adolescence Though your children may not be in this age category yet, there are benefits to looking down the road to not only contemplate this topic, but also get a feel for how all topics layer [...]
A Three-Part Series to Help Your Child Learn The Ways of Money Teaching your kids about money – Pre-adolescent thoughts Gaining responsibility about money – Adolescent thoughts Paying for college and being an adult – College and beyond _________________________ Pre-Adolescence What is money to a child? If not told, not trained, and not experienced over an early lifetime, a person might walk the road to ruin with lack of understanding about money and its successful [...]
What’s the one thing I can do to… Improve my marriage? Find balance in life? Lose weight or get healthy? Get out of debt or become financially independent? Be the best mom or dad? … and the list goes on and on and on! And usually we want that one thing to be something that we can do once that is pain-free, and relatively easy that will bring immediate satisfaction and alleviate all the stress [...]
College – so far, and so near. Ignoring the politics of college and the debate surrounding left or right, we’re assuming you want your children to be as prepared for life-after-home as possible. And that might include continuing with a post high school education. Even though that might be far away, you may be already saving for that event just as you are parenting for that event. There’s a reasonable debate as to what’s appropriate [...]