We tried something different for spring break this year...we actually decided to do things rather than do nothing. As the kids talked about all the activities they wanted to try I could see dollar signs coming out of their mouths and I decided to show them what money can and cannot do.
Flashback: Steve and I have very different views on money and spent eleven years fighting about everything money related. Then in May of 2015 he agreed to try Dave Ramsey's Seven Baby Steps and it has completely revolutionized our lives. There are no more money fights around these parts and now that we are on the same page, it is time to start teaching the kids.
Current day: So when the kids started talking about all the fun things they wanted to do we explained lesson #1) Money is finite. Lesson #2) If you don't have it, you don't spend it. We reviewed our budget with them and pointed out that from every paycheck we set aside money in an account for family fun and it currently had $81 in it. I had the kids make a list of all the things they wanted to do. Then we researched the cost of every single thing. We circled the free things and looked at the other activities to see which ones we could afford. There were no fights or tantrums as the kids logically discussed and ruled out things that had sounded fun, but were not worth blowing the entire budget. I was one proud Mama. An hour later we had all of our activities squared with our budget. Then we created a calendar and plugged it all in.
Another unusual thing this go around...we took very few pictures and just enjoyed the time together.
Monday
D wanted a Bible so he can read his own scriptures as we study Come Follow Me. Since all the kids needed either the Bible or the Book of Mormon we made an outing of it. They were so excited.
After lunch and nap time we headed to a park of their choosing.
Tuesday
Initially Nickle City was not on the list, but after they ran the numbers for the other places, they realized they needed to think of other, cheaper options. Nickle City was withing budget so they all voted to go.
Wednesday
We went to the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point and got Frosties at Wendys.
Thursday
Steve took Thursday and Friday off so we went to see How to Train Your Dragon.
After lunch and nap time we went skating.
Friday
Because it is Steve's birthday in a few days, we planned a hike, but Steve decided we needed a morning at home so we cleaned and played outside instead.
Then it was time for swimming.
Throughout the week we would talk about unexpected savings or expenditures and we kept a running tally. At the end of a very full week we sat down to see how we did. We had $5.58 still in the account and they all agreed they had a great week. Planned fun on a budget. That's how we thrive here.
Flashback: Steve and I have very different views on money and spent eleven years fighting about everything money related. Then in May of 2015 he agreed to try Dave Ramsey's Seven Baby Steps and it has completely revolutionized our lives. There are no more money fights around these parts and now that we are on the same page, it is time to start teaching the kids.
Current day: So when the kids started talking about all the fun things they wanted to do we explained lesson #1) Money is finite. Lesson #2) If you don't have it, you don't spend it. We reviewed our budget with them and pointed out that from every paycheck we set aside money in an account for family fun and it currently had $81 in it. I had the kids make a list of all the things they wanted to do. Then we researched the cost of every single thing. We circled the free things and looked at the other activities to see which ones we could afford. There were no fights or tantrums as the kids logically discussed and ruled out things that had sounded fun, but were not worth blowing the entire budget. I was one proud Mama. An hour later we had all of our activities squared with our budget. Then we created a calendar and plugged it all in.
Another unusual thing this go around...we took very few pictures and just enjoyed the time together.
Monday
D wanted a Bible so he can read his own scriptures as we study Come Follow Me. Since all the kids needed either the Bible or the Book of Mormon we made an outing of it. They were so excited.
C was falling asleep on the way home, but would not let go of his Book of Mormon.
D said, "Look Mom! I look like a mishamary (missionary)"!
After lunch and nap time we headed to a park of their choosing.
Tuesday
Initially Nickle City was not on the list, but after they ran the numbers for the other places, they realized they needed to think of other, cheaper options. Nickle City was withing budget so they all voted to go.
Wednesday
We went to the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point and got Frosties at Wendys.
Thursday
Steve took Thursday and Friday off so we went to see How to Train Your Dragon.
After lunch and nap time we went skating.
Friday
Because it is Steve's birthday in a few days, we planned a hike, but Steve decided we needed a morning at home so we cleaned and played outside instead.
Then it was time for swimming.
Throughout the week we would talk about unexpected savings or expenditures and we kept a running tally. At the end of a very full week we sat down to see how we did. We had $5.58 still in the account and they all agreed they had a great week. Planned fun on a budget. That's how we thrive here.
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