A little housekeeping: Are you getting 2 emails from me every day? I’m sooo sorry for being annoying. I just figured out how to let my 6,000+ email subscribers get the blog posts, but 300 of you were already getting them from feed burner–and now are getting 2. I recommend scrolling to the bottom and unsubscribing from the feed burner email, even though that email is prettier. Before the end of the month I’m moving my service to MadMimi which will be a pretty email AND you’ll get important info on things that I don’t post on my blog. You know, special things only for people who are big enough fans to subscribe. If you keep the feed burner one, and get rid of the ugly email–you’ll miss out. I promise it will only be ugly for a little while longer.
I wrote a blog post August 2014 about how we handle souvenir and snack money on vacations. I’d love to have the cash to buy cool and yummy stuff for my kids all the time. The reality is with 6 kids a $1.50 gas station drink quickly turns into $9 if no one wants gum. The other reality is that telling kids “no” makes them more fun to hang out with in the long run. They rarely ask me for anything, because they know it’s pointless. They don’t go around pouting about it either (most of the time—they are kids after all.)
When I do surprise them with a treat, it’s because it’s my idea (not because they asked.) AND they get super excited about it. That’s the thing about treats. They are awesome because they are out of the norm.
When we are planning a vacation, we give the kids opportunities to earn their own cash. My parents are a big help with this providing jobs like painting a fence, cleaning out the gutters, or sweeping leaves and sticks off the patio. Instead of handing the payment to them right then, we put it in their trip envelope and keep it safe for the big event.
When we leave, they get their envelopes (with a very exciting show of ceremony) and told they can spend on whatever they want, but when it’s gone it’s gone. If there’s anything left after the trip they can keep it. They quickly figure out what things cost at a gas station vs Walmart and start to make tough decisions about what they really want. When it’s your money that you sweat to earn, everything changes.
This is day 12 of our series 31 Days of Kids and Money
I’m sorry that I’m confused but I’m one of the lucky ones getting two emails a day but I can’t figure out which one is the feed burner email?? I think they’re both pretty so that doesn’t help me decipher either 😉
As for this series, I love it. Because I’ve been following you for awhile, I’ve already put into practice some of your wise ideas!
I have been saving these emails to read with my husband and 8 year old daughter. We discuss them, have opportunities to talk about new money topics (interest on debt, etc), and say what we like and what we want to try for our family.
Thank you so much!!
The feedburner email has full pictures in it. The other one has a header with the grocery bag family on it. I’m so excited that you are talking about them as a family!
I apologize for my lack of knowledge. I just signed up and have never blogged before. I saw that you can get a pantry list but I do not understand how to do that. Can you help me? Thanks!
Hi Pam, the pantry list is available for free in the files of the Grocery Shrink Plus yahoo group.