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A Penny for My
Thoughts
By Cheryl Gochnauer
"Eyeing
everything from sale flyers to adjustable interest rates, my internal price-checker/comparison shopper is constantly on auto-pilot,
ready to snatch the best deal on anything we need."
"That woman
can pinch a penny 'til it bleeds!"
It's true -- I've learned a lot about stretching our family's finances since I
decided to become a stay-at-home mom.
I seldom shop without coupons, or buy something that's not on sale.
Sunday papers only get purchased if they contain enough usable coupons to pay
for them.
Eyeing everything from sale flyers to adjustable interest rates, my internal
price-checker/comparison shopper is constantly on auto-pilot, ready to snatch
the best deal on anything we need.
I'm trying to teach my girls a healthy respect for money, too. Notice I said
"respect", not "love". The love of money can be just as
destructive for people who don't have much as for those who are swimming in it.
My husband, Terry, and I recently started giving the kids an allowance. Instead
of a fixed amount, we decided to give them a percentage of Terry's weekly
paycheck. Half their allowance is saved, 10% goes to charity, and the rest is
theirs to spend as they like.
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I'm sorry we waited so
long to let them handle money. Karen and Carrie love passing wadded dollar
bills to the cashier or clinking coins in the offering plate.
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Plus, the experience of earning a paycheck is teaching the girls
responsibility, while freeing me up from some housework. Maybe they'll learn to
use towels more than once after folding the mountain they create each week!
I read a great idea in a local parenting newsletter. Chores are written on
scraps of paper and placed in a container. Every day, the child takes three
slips from the container and performs two of the designated tasks. He's allowed
to put one slip back. To earn an extra dime or so, he can do the third chore,
if he desires.
Great! This gives the child some control, but still gets jobs done. I like it.
I think I'll go make up some slips right now. Let's see...setting the
table...vacuuming their room...changing the oil -- wait, that's
Terry...sweeping the kitchen...
This could be a pretty good deal for me. Why didn't I think of this sooner?
With the new shared chore schedule, there'll be more time to do fun stuff,
like:
* Going to the movies (discount matinees);
* Teeing off at the local miniature golf course (2 for 1 coupons);
* Visiting the zoo (on Tuesdays, when it's only a dollar); and
* Jaunting to the ice cream shop (Dutch treat, of course. Hey, they get an
allowance! :-)
(Comments? E-mail
Cheryl Gochnauer at cheryl@homebodies.org,
or write her at PO Box 6883, Lee's Summit, MO 64064-6883.
Visit her website at
www.homebodies.org, and look for her
new book, "So You Want to Be a Stay-at-Home Mom", in your favorite
bookstore or visit amazon.com
Related Articles:
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to Completely Eliminate Credit Card Debt
A debt-reduction strategy called
The Debt Reduction Pyramid. will enable you to completely pay off your credit
card balances.
Before
You Throw That Away!
All it takes is a little creativity to use those things you might
otherwise discard without a thought. You know what they say…a penny saved is
a penny earned.
Budgeting
Your Time - Part II
Read about some great ideas on saving time and money caring
for your home.
Home
Heating
Conserving energy in an old Victorian home
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