Penny Parenting Columns

Too Much for Children
"Mom, how come my friend Tommy has a Gameboy, a Sega, and his own computer, and why can't I?!" Ugh. Don't we as money-conscious parents dread hearing questions like that, when we know that our methods are for the best?

Squash the Squabbling  We've all heard the theory that most marital problems start with money problems. But how does one define money problems?... Be in Charge of Your Credit!   It used to be as simple as finding the card with the lowest rate, and you would do well to avoid the annual fee...

How Did Our Parents Manage It All?  
Every so often, I ask my mother how they did it all back in the 50's, 60's, and 70's when we were small. ..

Helping Your Children to Be Money-Savvy  
It takes parents' intervention to help children gain a full understanding of how money matters work...

Go Ahead and Waste It - It Was Free  
Free things are not really free when you consider that they do have value, they do serve a purpose for us, and if wasted, they never got a chance to serve their purpose.

Five Ways to Beat Penny-Pinching Fatigue  
Well, you've had enough. You're tired of just scraping by month after month, or of carrying a balance on one or more credit cards. It's frustrating to never see the light at the end of the financial tunnel.

Let the Holidays Loom Large, But Not Heavy  
That time is getting nearer everyday. It's the time when we sit down and plan out a shopping budget for ourselves so that we stay in total control of how much we spend over the holidays. Right? 

And the Two Shall Become as One  
Here are some ways that you might be able to replace beloved activities while watching the budget, enjoying your family, and satisfying those passions that cost too much now.

The One and Only Dollar  
Can you imagine a society that used only dollar bills for payment of goods and services? No five dollar bills, no tens, no twenties, and nothing higher than that? This society wouldn't use credit cards or debit cards, either.

The Art of Compromise  
Early on in my marriage, I was concerned about having kids and how they would pay for their college, with the rising cost of education and books. It's very scary. My husband promptly informed me that we would pay for it. With what?

Nervous About the Holidays  
Periodically, in chatting with other mom friends, I'll ask that silly question, "Soooo, ready for the holidays?" One mother I know actually is. She's got her shopping and wrapping completed. Not me. Or most of the other mothers I know.

Teaching Entrepreneurship  
With all of the attention, both national and international, that our country and its government are getting at the moment, one gets a strong sense of what our country is really all about.

Gift Money & the Three-Part Rule
To sum it up, take some time with your children to talk about the disbursement of recently acquired money. And be sure to review this before and or after every birthday or holiday in which money gifts are received.

Interview with Kim Michaux
Kim owns and operates a consignment shop. Click here to get the inside scoop on how it all works!

Money Quotes
I've come across a plethora of quotes lately, some of which deal with money, finances, and the like.  I thought it would be amusing to compile some of them for you.  Enjoy!

Make Saving Fun for Your Child
We all set out with the very best of intentions every year to "start saving more." But something always come up; something we didn't expect. It might be a refrigerator that needs to be replaced, a transmission problem, or a hike in tuition for your kids. 

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