Preparing our kids for independence is a full time job. We help them study, eat right, make smart choices, guide them in relationships and help them hone their talents. They also get some of this same input from school curriculum. What they won't get from their educators is a lesson in financial responsibility which is crucial to their future as an independent, money savvy adult.
We all want our kids to inherit strong character and good habits from us. Teaching kids about saving money is one character building habit we can pass on to our kids. Lead them and teach them how to start saving and spending wisely in a creative and exciting way.
Your child is exactly the right age to start saving, because starting at any age is better than never getting started at all. Children as young as three can learn the value of saving. Adjusting your methods for children of school age and older might be necessary but teaching by example will work for all ages. As a mom to young children I have found that giving kids examples and rewarding them for their success leads to motivation. Continuing conversations about the need for savings will instill the value. Retirement, doesn't it sound good? Relaxing vacations, taking up golf, volunteering, spending more time with family... Sounds like having your cake and eating it too. Dreams of freedom gained through retirement might be too good to be true. You see, while you won't be confined to a work schedule and the demands that go along with it you also won't be earning a paycheck. Social security will kick in though so you'll be fine, right?
Tempted to purchase a new 86" 4K Ultra HD Smart TV? Impulse buying can strike any of us at any given time. It's nice to treat ourselves and also nice to buy presents for our loved ones. Making an impulsive purchase can sting though, especially when we see it on sale the very next week. There are so many sites and apps these days that offer discounts or coupons that can take the sting out of your next purchase.
1. Gym memberships
Big ambitions and New Years resolutions right? Sure you thought you'd get up and go work out at 5am before starting your day, but then reality hit, sleeping in wins. Why spend money on a gym membership when you can exercise for free? Take a brisk morning walk around the block, or buy a workout DVD and get your cardio in your living room. Remodeling your home probably wasn't on your mind when you signed the dotted line. As time passes though you have decided your homes "style" needs refreshing or updating. Just the thought of remodeling feels expensive and challenging. These tips are beneficial whether you are considering a full scale renovation or updating to sell your home.
Eating out is convenient and inexpensive.... Or is it? Most of us don't realize just how much we eat out in a month and those forgotten meals out quickly add up affecting your savings potential.
Just take the average family size of 4 people, assuming two adults and two children are eating daily meals from the same budget. If you feed 4 people three times a day for 30 days a month that's 90.00 per person per month, totaling $360.00 per month. This budget does not include drinks or snacks. Three hundred and sixty dollars a month to feed a family of four equals just $1.00 per person per meal, or $12.00 a day in groceries. Do you think you could spend just $12.00 a day and feed 4 people three meals? You might be sceptic now, but wait... keep reading and you'll see how it is possible. Saving money for something specific like a new car or Birthday presents for your kids is pretty easy to do because it's a specific goal. Saving money for emergency's can be a bit more difficult because most of us don't anticipate an emergency. Life is going great, you have a stable job, a reliable car, all of your necessities have been met. One guarantee in life is there are no such things as guarantees. What is great today could come unglued tomorrow. Being laid off, evicted, major car repairs, & medical expenses could leave you in a desperate situation.
What happened to the days when banks were handing out gifts for new accounts? Freebies are nice but high interest earning savings accounts would be even better. Those days are long behind us. Banks have changed their methods of giving customers perks. Some banks offer free checks with your checking account, some offer free fax or notary services. What you may not know is that most banks offer online bill pay.
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About UsWe have been helping friends and neighbors of the Treasure Coast since 1999. We are locally owned and operated, and offer fast and friendly service with your privacy in mind. Archives
March 2020
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