How I learned a healthy money attitude
Ancient scripture often refers to money this way: “1/3 for use by the earner or family, 1/3 for savings and 1/3 to help others.”
Every year at Easter we would fill up these little cardboard replicas of a church with our Lenten offering. I would ask my parents if there were extra chores I could do to make extra money. These “mite” boxes were an opportunity for me to give to the needy and I was proud that I had earned this money for those less fortunate. I also learned what a mite was, because that was not clear when I asked my mom who Mike was.
I had a unique job opportunity at age 11. A neighbor had a gift shop and he said he could use extra help with wrapping. I asked him if he would hire me and if I could ride to work with him.
I worked in the back with an elderly lady who had worked with him for years. I remember that she said, “it doesn’t matter if the present is a little bit of nothing, it deserves a beautiful wrapping.” Every little box had cotton in it, was wrapped first in tissue paper, then the Christmas paper and a nice bow. We put tissue in the bags so the present would not get knocked around. School is not a job, ballet is not a job, horseback riding was not a job, but this was a real job
Healthy Money tip #1: Money is best talked about in terms of earning it initially!
A few small chores = an allowance. Very young children can set the table for dinner, clear the dishes and if it is takeout throw out the trash, feed pets, and help with family projects.
It is never too early to open a bank account with saved allowances or birthday money.
Healthy Money tip #2: Fighting about money is scary and confusing to children.
Ask yourself if you want your children to learn that talking about money leads to fighting about money.
I was pretty young (9) when I figured out that I could earn and save money to have things or experiences I wanted.
Healthy Money tip #3: Paying people for work they have done for you promptly shows respect and concern for others.
If your child has an allowance, Do not “forget” to pay them or make excuses. Thank them for their good work and pay them on time.
Summary
If you want a child who likes to work, show them how you work. Families with restaurants may have a child at the register and I think how great that is for everybody. Work in a good situation gives pride and confidence to a child and may include them in the most important endeavor of the family.
A crappy job helps a kid gain direction towards something they like better.
Life can be a rollercoaster, so work helps teach adaptation to what is needed.
Nothing is more important than the health and safety of everyone in the family.
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