gypsymom

Yesterday, we went to Wal-Mart to buy a present for my secret Santa at work, for the gift exchange at a party for kids at Thing #1’s daycare, and one for a little girl I “adopted” through a Christmas Angels program at work (you anonymously buy a toy and outfit for a kid who probably won’t get anything otherwise).  Also Thing#1 had a gift card–which he loves–and a little cash to spend.  He bought some Yu-Gi-Oh! cards.  On the way out we passed the Salvation Army bellringer.  I silently cursed myself for never having cash on me.  So we kept walking.

We got out just into the parking lot and Thing 1 says “Darn it.”  I look at him and raise my eyebrows.  “I really wanted to put some money in there.”  I said “Sorry, I don’t have any with me.” But what does he say? “Oh I have some.” So of course, I turn the cart around and we go back.  We were in the way of a few people while my seven year old son opened up his wallet and found his last nickel and dropped it in the bucket.  The bellringer looked sufficiently impressed.

On the way back to the car, I told him how proud I was, and that it was a very nice thing, and explained what they do with the money.  He said “I know that, that’s why I really wanted to give them money.”  Where and when did my son become such an angel? I taught him of course!

Errr, with a lot of help.  We’ve all heard of Dave Ramsey ,  and Financial Peace University.  I had heard of it; I knew it was a program which would teach one to make the right decisions regarding money and finances.  Speaking of that, I need to check it out for myself I think.  Anyway, this is what I did not know.  Last Christmas (or maybe the one before), my ex’s stepfather got my sons Financial Peace Jr. for kids and Junior’s Adventures Boxed Set.  This is a whole system to teach your child to use money wisely, and to set aside a certain amount for giving and saving before spending.  There is a chore chart, envelopes to separate their money, and a calculator, magnets, and money pouch.

The books are absolutely great.  The first one to be read is My Fantastic Fieldtrip. In this book, Junior and his friends go on a field trip to see Junior’s cartoon hero, Dollar Bill, who teaches them the idea of separating money into envelopes titled Save, Give, and Spend.  He teaches them about short- and long-term savings as well.

Also is The Super Red Racer in which Junior discovers that in order to get money for something he wants, a bike, he must work for it.  In Careless at the Carnival Junior and his friends discover that it is no fun after you’ve spent all your money all at once.  Junior discovers the rewards of integrity in A Special Thank You and giving to those in need in  The Big Birthday Surprise.  Finally, in Battle of the Chores, Junior learns to never borrow money and to save money until he can buy in cash.

Every other book I’ve tried to look at for teaching my children good values is so transparent.  It’s obvious that it’s what they’re doing, and boring to a child.  My kids, especially Thing#1, love these books, and the themes actually sunk into their brains.  He asks to do extra chores to get more money, of course makes sure I check off his assigned daily chores.  He puts aside money for saving (for a car when he gets older, just like the kid Dollar Bill talks about in My Fantastic Fieldtrip),  and as mentioned above, he gives to those in need of his own free will, even out of his spending money.  We are still working on not spending your spending money all at once, however.  He is a kid, after all.  Thing #2 has got the chore chart down, and reluctantly puts some money in the Save and Give envelopes, but he also, is a kid, after all.

I feel like with these books, Mr. Ramsey has given me some tools to help raise responsible members of the world.  As parents we need all the help we can get, right?  I highly recommend these books, both as a gift for Christmas and for yourself!  Thanks Mr. Ramsey!

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