Allie started her first job this summer! She sits with our neighbors' children for an hour each morning between when their parents' leave for work and when their summer camp bus picks them up!
We are so proud of the responsibility that Allie has shown with this. She sets her alarm clock, gets up, dressed, eats breakfast and goes next door all on her own before I even wake up.
One of the things that I feel very strongly about is living within one's means. We don't buy something unless we have the money for it. Don't mistake that for not being bitten by the little green monster--I definitely am--but I have to ask myself if that is the best use of our money? What are my reasons for wanting something--to impress or keep up with the Joneses or because we can genuinely use it? Is it something we should save for? Would our money be better used on something else?
It is important to Jason and I that we teach these values to our girls.
When Allie got this job, we told her that half of her money had to go in the bank.
She thought she could just spend the other half on anything that struck her fancy..after all, she had earned it! At first she wanted a new handbag...we even went to the store to buy it, but I couldn't help but point out that she had SEVERAL handbags that were in good shape. Then it was a "Heart for Heart" doll because she liked that part of the money went for charity--I pointed out that there are other companies that offer other products and do the same.
I told her to ask herself some questions: Do I need this? Could I use the money on something else that is more important? If I buy this, then I won't have money for....(something else)? Do I have anything like this? How often will I use this?
Each week, I would bring Allie to the bank when we were out running errands and she would deposit half of her earnings. She recently got a bank statement and was happy to see her balance had grown!
Each week, Allie has come up with things to buy... but we have asked her to ask herself those questions, which she has...and the money has sat in her wallet.
This week, she came up with an idea of something to buy and after asking herself the questions, she felt she still wanted to buy it. Watercolor pencils and a bigger sketchpad. We had a coupon and one was on sale. I felt good about these purchases and I told her why: since she bought them, I know she will take care of them; she loves art; this is something that will "grow" with her and she can use for a long time to come; this is a skill that she is slowly building and working on. While we had colored pencils, we did not have the watercolor pencils and while we have sketchpads and art journals, hers are almost full! She has proven that she has used this...it won't go to waste.
I love the lessons a first job teaches. Congratulations Allie!
ReplyDeleteYour teaching your daughter good values. It is important that they make their own money but don't spend it in foolish ways. I make my girls put half their paycheck in the bank. My youngest spents alot of her money on FOOD when she is out. I explained to her its a waste....we have food here and this can't keep going on.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful blessing and legacy you are pouring out on your daughter....and that will be passed down to her children!!!!! I can't wait to hear...how she really grows in being a good steward - and asking those tough questions rather than living in a world of entitlement!
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, I'm getting a really weird font that looks like Greek when I try to read your blog (not just yours - one or two others as well. Not sure if it's my laptop or what!) so I have no idea what you said. :-(( BUT....I love the photos and I adore your family photo wall.
ReplyDeleteAahhh....I'm finally able to read this! (I think it's my laptop. Turned it off and then back on, and now it's working fine)
DeleteI love that you make her think about what she's purchasing and whether she really needs it. So many people just buy stuff whenever they see it. Good job, Mom!
I love that you are educating your children about money, through overt, intention teaching and by example. We have tried to do the same with our children. It has worked well for three out of the four (one grown child still struggles with the money thing). We are taking our youngest (the only one still home) through Dave Ramsey's money course for teens call Generation Change. It is excellent so far and shows a Christian perspective on money. It comes with dvds, a parent guide and workbook so could be used as curriculum. We are doing one 15-20 minute lesson each week for Family Home Evening - but we talk about wisdom with money whenever it comes up and is appropriate. I salute you for helping your daughters grow up to be responsible adults when it comes to their money! Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Allie on her first job! We are trying to teach our girls to be wise with their money too. It's a hard lesson to learn at their age, but it looks like your instruction is paying off with Allie! Smart girl:)
ReplyDeleteYAY for Allie and her first job! I love that you are teaching her about saving money. I wish someone had taught me better about that. Keilee works around here for money for things she really wants. She is usually pretty good about not spending it on anything except the 'thing' she wants. I love that Allie made a wise decision. Good choice A!
ReplyDeleteThis is great that she has this opportunity - and in addition to the money it's just good responsibility for her. It sounds like she is handling it very well!
ReplyDeleteYou know how Hal and I feel about this, so you're preaching to the choir! :-)
Awesome! Way to go Allie :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that you are having her save half of what she earns.