As our finances have made a huge shift in the way that Hotsauce and I behave it has obviously made an impact on our Turkey Bottoms. Not only are we changing our behavior, we are changing our language in regards to money.
For instance, Chubba recently asked if we could afford to go to McDonald's. In reality we are better positioned to go to McDonald's then we ever have been before. But, the restaurant envelope only had $5 in it, which isn't enough for a family of 7 to eat.
We can afford it. We are choosing not to.
It was the perfect opportunity to discuss the difference. As my friend Dave says this change is 20% about having the information and 80% about changing our behavior. Eating out has been too high a priority in the past. I've shared about how even in the midst of this new journey we made the decision to eat out when we should have applied that money to something else in the budget. It wasn't a good feeling. But, we learned from it and we want to pass that on to our children.
A few days ago an email was sent out from our church with prayer requests from Awana. Our Saucy Pants asked that her class pray that:
"Her mom would sell some stuff, that Mo-Mo would feel better and that she would stay healthy."
I lurvesauce that.
They know that we are on a mission. They ask if things are in the budget. They point things out and say, "Are we keeping that or are you going to sell that too?" :) Soon we are going to implement commission based chores. Not because we believe that they should be paid to do things around the house... we don't ... but because we want them to learn some valuable life lessons.
1. If you don't work, you don't get paid.
2. Sloppy work doesn't get paid.
3. Even young children are called to be good stewards of what they have.
4. Your choices have consequences. That dollar can only be spent once, so be wise.
Really those are just the beginning!
I am really interested for those of you who have made changes to your spending behaviors how it has effected your children. What types of discussions are you having with your children about money? What things should we start teaching our children early about managing money, saving, spending, giving and investing?
For instance, Chubba recently asked if we could afford to go to McDonald's. In reality we are better positioned to go to McDonald's then we ever have been before. But, the restaurant envelope only had $5 in it, which isn't enough for a family of 7 to eat.
We can afford it. We are choosing not to.
It was the perfect opportunity to discuss the difference. As my friend Dave says this change is 20% about having the information and 80% about changing our behavior. Eating out has been too high a priority in the past. I've shared about how even in the midst of this new journey we made the decision to eat out when we should have applied that money to something else in the budget. It wasn't a good feeling. But, we learned from it and we want to pass that on to our children.
A few days ago an email was sent out from our church with prayer requests from Awana. Our Saucy Pants asked that her class pray that:
"Her mom would sell some stuff, that Mo-Mo would feel better and that she would stay healthy."
I lurvesauce that.
They know that we are on a mission. They ask if things are in the budget. They point things out and say, "Are we keeping that or are you going to sell that too?" :) Soon we are going to implement commission based chores. Not because we believe that they should be paid to do things around the house... we don't ... but because we want them to learn some valuable life lessons.
1. If you don't work, you don't get paid.
2. Sloppy work doesn't get paid.
3. Even young children are called to be good stewards of what they have.
4. Your choices have consequences. That dollar can only be spent once, so be wise.
Really those are just the beginning!
I am really interested for those of you who have made changes to your spending behaviors how it has effected your children. What types of discussions are you having with your children about money? What things should we start teaching our children early about managing money, saving, spending, giving and investing?
Ah Mama D - this took me back many years, to when I would put frozen curly fries in the oven while I dashed to Hardee's drive-thru for five $1 "Big Deluxe" burgers. I'd return home with the bag of sandwiches as the timer would signal the tators were done. I'd pour glasses of generic soda and we would enjoy our 'fast food' on a shoestring. Other times we'd grocery shop with the kids - buy chips and soda while shopping, and then do a drive-thru for sandwiches and "picnic" in the car. Thanks for the memory!
ReplyDeleteWe've done that same thing... buying the hamburger for the ride home and then getting home and finding something to supplement the meal with! Our taking the $5 to buy french fries for all of us and making a cold meat sandwich at home. Either way you get the taste that you were craving without overspending!
DeleteGlad I could help refresh some memories for you!!