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8 Reasons Why Children Are Priceless

January 21, 2021 | 2 Comments

Reasons Why Children Are Priceless

There seems to be a lot of discussion, constantly, about how expensive children are. While yes, you do have to be financially responsible about having a child, they do not need to be anywhere near as expensive as some ‘studies’ would have you believe. This is a topic I’ve already written about, so today we’re going to chat about the reasons why children are priceless.

I’m not trying to make it seem like having children is all sunshine and roses, because it’s not. It’s far, far from it actually, but having a child will change your life in ways you couldn’t imagine until it happens.

Reasons Why Children Are Priceless

They Inspire Deep Love

You may think you knew what love was before you had a child; trust me I did. I love my husband, my family and my friends but the love you have for your child is something you will have never experienced. The love you have for this tiny little human is indescribable. It changes and shapes every other relationship in your life.

The love you have for your child grows. Though I instinctively wanted to love and protect my child as soon as he was born, the love I have for him and my other two children, is so much different, and intense, than it was on the days they were born.

This idea is best epitomized by Elizabeth Stone’s statement, “Making the decision to have a child is momentous.  It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”

They Spread Happiness

I am truly happy when I am with my children and they are in good moods. You simply cannot be in a bad mood when your happy toddler smiles up at you or when your tweens tell you silly jokes. Their emotions are raw, and you can’t help but feel it with them.

They Teach You Patience

You may be an impatient person, but once you have a child, that has to change.  If you show impatience and anger with your children, they will likely shut down or cry.  Instead, you must gently encourage them so that they can succeed.  (This can be extremely trying when you have to wait by the door for your toddler to slowly put on his shoes by himself because he’s refused your help or when he unbuckles his car seat for the fifth time in one car trip.)

Children will, by their very nature, teach you to be patient.

They Give You a Second Chance at Childhood Joy

Reasons Why Children Are Priceless

Photo by Thomas Park on Unsplash

By the time you’re in your twenties and thirties, you likely have lost much of your childhood joy.  You may no longer take joy in driving around the neighborhood looking at Christmas lights or the first snowfall of the season.  Once you have a child, all of that changes.

As you watch your young children grow excited for Christmas, you do, too.  When your child gleefully opens the presents under the Christmas tree, you will likely feel a spark of excitement again.  When you bundle your child up to go out in the first snowfall, you will suddenly delight in building a snowman and making snow angels.  Children give you a second chance at childhood joy.

They Are Brutally Honest

Kids are honest. Kids force you to be honest. Honest about yourself and about your life. When your child is born you are suddenly hyper aware of every detail in your life. From your financial life to the mess on your bedside table. Children inadvertently have a way of forcing us to be honest about our lives.

It was having a child that forced us to finally get serious about getting out of debt rather than living with it in limbo.

They Are Humbling

Becoming a parent is one of, if not the most, humbling experience in the world. No amount of research, parenting book reading or doctors appointments can ever prepare you for your child and the experiences  you will go through as a parent. I think being humbled is an important trait for people and if you’ve yet to experience it, having a kid will do it for sure.

They Make You Less Self-Centered

Before you have children, you may not realize you’re self-centered, but you are.  You likely have your own routine, your own rituals, that give you joy.  Yet, when you have a child, all of that discipline and focus on yourself and what makes you feel good is upended.  You get much less sleep in the baby stage, and your life and schedule suddenly revolve around the baby’s.

Reasons Why Children Are Priceless

Photo by Adrià Crehuet Cano on Unsplash

When your kids get older, your life still centers around your children and their education and their activities.  Sure, as kids get older and become more independent, you will be able to do more things for, and spend more time on, yourself.  However, you don’t get your life back as truly your own until your kids move out.  By then, you won’t want to go back to the self-centered years before you had kids.

They Give You Perspective

Having a child puts your life in a whole new perspective. Suddenly everything else in life is so much less important. You wonder what you did with your time before, and you wonder how you possibly lived your life without this person in it.

For the rest of your life, your children will shape and change your world, and that’s a beautiful thing.

Final Thoughts

Having a child is the hardest, yet most rewarding thing you can ever possibly do in your life.  Yes, they are expensive, but don’t believe that kids are as expensive to raise as the experts would have you believe.  Besides, what they give back in their love and the way they make you grow as a person are some of the reasons why children are priceless.

Read More

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Filed Under: Random Musings Tagged With: Child Is Born, Priceless Children, Values Children

Free Chore Chart Template for Kids

January 7, 2021 | Leave a Comment

Chore Chart Template for Kids

My kids started helping with chores when they were about 18 months to 2 years of age.  My oldest got his own little broom that would recite, “sweeping, sweeping” as he swept.  He loved that broom, and he loved helping out.  Most toddlers are eager to do what the people around them are doing.  If you have a toddler and want to start working with them on chores or you want a more organized chore routine for your older kids, consider using one of these free chore chart templates for kids.

Why Assign Kids Chores?

Some parents don’t want their kids to do chores.  They argue that kids should just be kids.  However, there are many valid reasons why you should assign your children chores:

They Learn Valuable Life Skills

When I went to college, I couldn’t believe how many kids didn’t even know how to do their own laundry.  My son started doing his own laundry at 12, and my daughter started at 11.  The larger variety of chores you have your kids do, the better they will be able to successfully live on their own.

They Learn to Contribute

There are many things that need to be done to run a household successfully.  If you don’t expect your kids to contribute, they can grow accustomed to the idea of others doing things for them, which can lead to a sense of entitlement.  The family is the first place kids learn what it means to be part of a group and to help run that group.  This, too, will be a valuable lesson for their adult lives.

Should You Pay Kids for Chores?

Chore Chart Template for Kids

Photo by Anna Earl on Unsplash

This can be another devisive issue.  Some families don’t pay their kids money for chores because they want them to realize that they are part of a family and family members help one another.

Others, like my family, pay their kids for chores because they want kids to firmly make the connection between work and income.  You work, and you earn money.  You don’t work, and you’re broke.

Still others don’t pay cash but instead let their kids earn privileges like watching a show, or playing a video game, or staying up late based on the chores they do.

The choice is up to you and what your family decides will work best.

Free Chore Chart Template for Kids

There is no need for you to create your own chore chart template for kids when there are so many out there!  Here are a few of our favorites:

Healthy, Happy, Impactful has a chore chart template that gives blank lines to list up to eight chores beside squares for days of the week.  Just check off each day that the chore is completed.  There is also a box at the bottom for notes.

Plan for Awesome has a chore chart template for toddlers.  This one is unique in that rather than words, there are pictures so your littlest helpers can understand.  You can also use the pictures and words for the preschool and early elementary set.

Make any one of these chore charts last longer by laminating them or placing them in a plastic sleeve so you can use them week after week.

Final Thoughts

There’s no time like the present to start having your kids help with chores.  These free chore templates can help motivate them and help them find pride in their accomplishments.

Read More

Teach Your Child About Money: Free Savings Chart for Kids

Parenting Win: Teaching Money Skills to Your Kids

Free Apps that Help Kids Manage Their Pocket Money

Filed Under: Freebies for Parents, Household, Money and Finances, Parenting Blog at KidsAintCheap Tagged With: chores, free chore charts, raising independent kids, responsible kids, toddlers

Fun and Affordable Winter Crafts for Kids

December 17, 2020 | Leave a Comment

Winter Crafts for Kids

Spring, summer and fall are great times for families. In most areas, the temperatures are ideal for being outdoors. But even though humans don’t hibernate, winter keeps us indoors. The winter can be harsher for parents with kids who constantly complain about having nothing to do. This is when you’ll need some fun winter crafts for kids (and bored adults).

Fun Winter Crafts for Kids

You may be tempted to take the kids on an expensive winter vacation. Why not save your money and get creative? Here are some fun crafts you can do to keep your kids occupied during those dreary, winter days.

Create Your Own Greeting Cards

You don’t need fancy machines and expensive paper to make cute cards. The shelves of craft stores are lined with stickers and other accessories you can use. Ten blank cards in a pack will cost you $4 to $5, and you can choose from a variety of styles and colors as well. Once you have chosen the base, head to the sticker and ribbon aisles and gather some accessories. This card was made using a burlap premade card and some stickers. For kids who like to use needle and thread, visit the cross-stitch section and purchase a book of designs. Then stitch and attach them to the premade cards. You can make a lot of cards in a few weeks!

Create a Cute Wreath for Your Door Using Tulle

Tulle wreaths are fun and so easy to do. You have a lot of color choices and it’s often on sale at craft stores like Hobby Lobby. All you need is a wreath form, scissors, and any embellishments you want to add. Cut the tulle into strips and tie it around the wreath, keeping the knot on the inside. Once the wreath form is covered, trim and fluff the tulle until it looks full and even. Then add embellishments. Here’s an example of an easy Christmas wreath.

Speaking of Christmas …

You can find hundreds of ideas for making Christmas ornaments on Pinterest. A cheap way is to go to the local dollar store and pick up some clear, plastic ornaments you can fill, something to fill them with and if you like, some stickers.

This ornament is filled with some foam pellets and embellished with stickers. All of the materials were purchased at a dollar store.

Personalize It With an Initial

You can find initials of all sizes in craft stores. Paint them or embellish them for a cute wall or door hanging.

This “S” was made by simply gluing glass gems found at the local dollar store. You can also add flowers and a ribbon for hanging to a premade initial.

Easy Wall Hangings Using a Canvas

Craft stores also have many sizes of canvases. Not everyone can paint, but most of us can glue. You can create a cute wall hanging by taking scrapbook paper and gluing it onto the canvas. To make the project super easy, use an 8 ½ X 11 canvas. The paper will fit perfectly. Once you have glued the paper onto the canvas, embellish it with letters, stickers, or whatever suits your personality.

Final Thoughts

While the months of January and February can be gloomy and dark, you can make the months more enjoyable with fun winter crafts for kids.  In no time, spring will be here and you’ll be back outdoors enjoying the temperate weather and sunshine.

What are some of your favorite crafts for kids? Share your ideas in the comments below!

Read More

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How to Find the Best Car Seat for Your Child
Frugal Halloween Ideas

Filed Under: Money and Finances Tagged With: beating the winter blues, kids activities, winter crafts, winter fun

Best Travel Crib for Twins

December 3, 2020 | Leave a Comment

Best Travel Crib for Twins

Traveling with babies and toddlers is always interesting.  First, you have to plan the actual trip.  How will baby do?  What can you do as a parent to make baby more comfortable and able to pass the time while you’re traveling?  But then there are other considerations, namely, all the gear that you have to pack so you can travel with baby.  Think playpens, strollers, portable changing tables, etc.  If you have twins, the planning is likely double.  However, if you choose one of the best travel cribs for twins, you may get a lot of your travel gear in one purchase.

Best Travel Crib for Twins

Now that more people are having twins, the market has exploded.  Lucky for us as buyers, that means there are many choices available.

Joovy Room²

Hands down, the best travel crib for twins is the Joovy Room².

This product comes with a thick pad for the bottom as well as a soft, fitted, waterproof sheet.  This playpen can accommodate children from newborns to those 35 inches tall, which means you’ll be able to use it for several years.  (The manufacturer asks that you discontinue use when the child can climb out.)

Pros

There are many pros with the Joovy Room².

Spacious

This portable playpen is bigger than standard pack n plays, which makes it ideal for twins.  In fact, it’s nearly 10 square feet in size and can easily accommodate two children.

Additional Features

The Joovy Room² has wide mesh on all sides, so you can more easily see your children.

It also comes with a storage bag that you can use when traveling with the Joovy.

Finally, it has two wheels on the bottom to allow you to easily move the Joovy Room².

Twin Nursery Center Bassinet Playpen Accessory

For newborns and infants, you can purchase the Joovy Twin Nursery Center Bassinet Playpen Accessory.

Best Travel Crib for Twins

This handy accessory turns your playpen into the perfect portable crib for twin babies.  It includes:

  • Bassinet,
  • Bassinet divider (so each baby has their own separate space to sleep in), and
  • Changing table (which sits on top of the bassinet area)

For convenience, the changing table flips to the side when not in use.

The bassinet holds up to 30 pounds, which means the twins can use it until they weigh 15 pounds each.

Cons

Although twin parents love the Joovy Room², it does have some drawbacks.

Heavy

Because it is large and comes with a high quality, thick mattress, some parents say that it’s heavy.  A few even say it’s too heavy to travel with.  However, that is a minority of parents.

Bunching Sheet

Other parents complain that after the sheet has been washed a few times, it has the tendency to bunch and not fit as snugly as when it was new.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for the best travel crib for twins, consider adding the Joovy Room² to your baby registry or buying it.  This product will continue to serve your family for several years.

Read More

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Filed Under: Product Reviews for Parents Tagged With: Travel, Travel With Children, travel with toddlers, Twin Parenting, Twins

The Best (and Worst!) Baby Shower Gifts

November 26, 2020 | Leave a Comment

baby shower gifts

Baby showers. Some love them, some hate them. While I love buying things for little people, I dislike attending baby showers. Nothing against the expecting family, I really just hate everything about traditional baby shower games. I’m at the age where there is a stark increase in the amount of showers I get invited to, though.

Between the number of showers I’ve attended, and the ones I’ve been on the receiving end of, I feel like a bit of a baby shower expert, and I’m here to give you my opinion on the best, and wors,t baby shower gifts.

Best Baby Shower Gifts

There are some baby gifts that are more useful than others.  These are the ones that almost every new parent will appreciate.

Large, Expensive Gifts

First time parents will likely welcome large, expensive gifts that they have on their registry such as a stroller, crib, playpen, and rocking chair.  These gifts are usually too expensive for one person to buy on their own, so feel free to chip in with other people and give a group gift.

When we were expecting our first, my co-workers went together and bought our stroller/car seat combo.  I was so glad that we didn’t have to buy this ourselves because our money was tight then.

Baby Carrier

baby shower gifts

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Some babies are only consoled when their parents hold them.  This can lead to both tired arms and frustration.  Getting anything done around the house is difficult when the baby fusses as soon as she’s put down.  A baby carrier can be a fabulous gift because it gives parents the opportunity to keep the baby close AND get things done around the house.

Restaurant Gift Certificate

No matter what kind of birth you have, the perfect natural drug free delivery or complicated c-section, no new mom, experienced or not, feels like cooking in those early days. Life is chaotic and having a gift certificate or two to fall back on is a huge help!

Clothes the Kid Can Grow Into

Too many people will show up with exclusively newborn clothes.  Sure, they’re cute, but they’re also impractical.  All three of my babies were nine to ten pounds at birth.  They never fit in newborn clothes, and they only stayed in size 0-3 month clothes for about the first four weeks.  Had I gotten many outfits in those sizes, they would have been wasted.

Having a few outfits/PJ’s in larger sizes the kid can grow into is always appreciated. Kids grow fast, so they’ll get into that cute outfit sooner than you think!  They’ll likely stay in the larger size outfits longer, too.

Burp Pads/Wipes

Newborns make an insane amount of mess. They vomit and spit up everywhere, all of which requires being cleaned up. No mom can have enough burp pads/wipes/bibs for kids since they will go through about 25,721 per day. They also get stained beyond recognition and eventually tossed, so don’t spend too much money on them.

Diapers

Kids need diapers in many sizes. Find out if the parents plan on using disposable or cloth before buying, though.  Even if they get a lot of diapers, it is a gift always well appreciated.

Worst Shower Gift Ideas

And then there are the gifts that well meaning friends and family give you that are, honestly, worthless.

Nursing Bras

Unless you’re in the change room with the new mom, there is no way you’ll get this right. If you think it’s a gift mom would like and want though, get a gift certificate instead.

Expensive or Impractical Baby Clothes

baby shower gifts

Photo by Luke Michael on Unsplash

Babies, especially newborns, are messy. They do not need fancy, expensive and fussy clothes! You are literally wasting money when you buy these clothes, no matter how cute. Same goes for newborn shoes. Unless the kid is walking (usually past 1 year), they don’t need shoes with proper soles. Even in the winter, small children don’t need them; most baby snowsuits will take care of foot coverage.

Likewise, avoid impractical baby clothes.  When I was expecting my first baby, a co-worker bought me a towel and a baby bathrobe.  Sure, the set was cute as can be, but how practical is struggling with a baby to put on a bathrobe only to dry the baby off and put on his clothes?  I returned that gift before I even had the baby.

Non-seasonal baby clothes

Find out when the kid (should) be born before buying seasonal clothes. If the child is born in December there’s a good chance they won’t still be in newborn size swimwear come July. Pay attention to sizes when buying such items.

A Word about Baby Registries

If the parents did create a registry, look it up. Chances are they spent time to figure out what would work and what they need for their family. Sometimes, showers aren’t the best time to be reinventing the wheel, so-to-speak. If they took the time to research a monitor they liked, for example, don’t bother buying a different one because you liked it more; there’s a good chance it will end up getting exchanged.

One More Thought on Gifts

It’s not to say new moms think of everything, though. As a mom myself, there were things I received from experienced friends and family that I never would have thought of and was so appreciative of.  If you go this route, just make sure to include a gift receipt so they can return the item if it turns out not to be something they would want.

Final Thoughts

If you are invited to a baby shower, keep in mind some of the best baby shower gifts to give.  I still remember which of my friends and family gave me the gifts I most appreciate and found  most useful.  Now, when I attend a baby shower, I try to do the same for new moms.

What is your favorite gift to give for a baby shower?

Read More

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5 Printable Baby Shower Games

 

Filed Under: Baby Stuff, Shopping Tagged With: Baby, baby carrier, baby expenses, baby gifts, best baby shower gifts, worst baby shower gifts

What Is the Financial Responsibility of a Step Parent?

November 19, 2020 | Leave a Comment

Step Parent Financial Responsibility

Many second marriages now come with the bonus of additional children—step children.  As a step parent, you’re expected to provide support and understanding for your “bonus children.”  But what other responsibilities do you have?  Namely, what are the financial responsibilities?

Financial Responsibility of a Step Parent?

Your financial responsibility is largely determined by your step child’s situation.  Did his other parent die?  Are his parents divorced, but the other spouse is paying child support?  Was he abandoned by his other parent and receives no visits or monetary help from that parent?  Do you have your own kids that you bring to this marriage?  If so, what is your financial situation with your ex?

All of these variables come into play when you decide what your financial responsibility is as a step parent.

Do You Want to Adopt?

One of the first questions before you tie the knot is to determine if you want to adopt your step children.  Of course, this isn’t an option for everyone, especially if the step children’s other parent plays a role in their lives.  However, if your step children have an absent parent or their parent has died, you may want to adopt them, especially if they are open to the idea.

There are many advantages to adopting step children.  Most importantly, you will then be able to have a legal say in their lives.  Likewise, if your new spouse becomes incapacitated, you are recognized by the law as your step children’s parent.

Talk to a Financial Planner

Step Parent Financial Responsibility

Photo by Amy Hirschi on Unsplash

After you’ve made that crucial decision, the next is to consider talking to a financial planner.  When merging a household, there are many financial decisions to make.

When it comes to taxes, will you file jointly with your new spouse?  If so, will you be able to claim the children on your tax return, or will their other parent?

When it comes to money management, will you merge finances or keep them separate?  If you decide to keep them separate, what will be your financial obligation to your step children?

Analyze Your Life Insurance Beneficiaries

Finally, analyze your life insurance beneficiaries.  You, your spouse, and your step children are now a family, and as such, you want to make sure that they will be able to function financially should the unexpected happen.

Unfortunately, some people forget to change their beneficiaries, so as soon as you’re married, make sure to change the beneficiaries to your new family.  Also evaluate whether you have enough life insurance after your new marriage.  You may find you need to secure more.

Final Thoughts

Each relationship is unique.  While there are no explicit rules about a step parent’s financial responsibility to her step children like there are with biological parents and children, you still want to make sure your new family is taken care of financially.  You can do this by considering whether to adopt, consulting with a financial planner, and updating your life insurance.

Read More

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Filed Under: Money and Finances, Parenting Tagged With: blended family, family finances, step children, step parent

Teach Your Child About Money – Free Savings Chart for Kids

November 12, 2020 | Leave a Comment

Free Savings Chart for Kids

One of the most wonderful gifts you can give your children is a healthy understanding of money. Not a craving for it or an assumption that it will lead to happiness. Instead, you have the privilege – the responsibility – to teach children about hard work, the power of saving, the dangers of debt, and the gift of giving. To help your children learn, we’ll also set you up with a free savings chart for kids.

How to Teach Your Child About Saving Money

Many people are in crisis mode, financially. It’s impossible to know what they learned or didn’t learn about money at home, but would America look different if more parents taught their children the principles I listed above? What if more parents led by example by communicating together about a budget, saying no more often to frivolous spending, and showing their children how to save up and pay cash instead of using credit cards?

It’s purely my speculation, but I’d go so far as to say we’d have less stress, less divorce, fewer addictions, more giving, and greater job satisfaction. Do you agree?

With the right steps, we can teach our children to live differently.

What About Student Loan Debt?

Free Savings Chart for Kids

Photo by Alexis Brown on Unsplash

You’re probably thinking, “What about student loans? I was just trying to further my education and now I’m overwhelmed by debt as a result.” Totally valid point. I remember approaching high school graduation and hearing everyone discuss their reasons for choosing one school over another. NOT ONCE did my friends and I stew over the debt load we’d receive from student loans. None of us saw what was coming.

In fact, according to StudentLoanHero.com, outstanding student loan debt reached more than $1.64 trillion in 2020.

How can we teach our children to save money in the face of such a burden of debt?

Start the Conversations

A great way to educate your young tribe about the dos and don’ts of spending is to create an open line of communication. Encourage them to ask questions. Show them the process of paying for your groceries or a meal at a restaurant. Take them to the bank and show them how you make a savings deposit.

Also, a conversation is a great way to tackle topics like:

  • Work ethic
  • Getting a job
  • Planning for the future
  • Saving for a major purchase
  • Saving for college (tell them about the ways you are saving for their college while they’re young)
  • Integrity
  • Greed
  • Envy
  • Contentment
  • Generosity

You don’t have to run down this list every night at the dinner table, but the more conversations you do have about these topics, the more seeds your planting in your child’s mind. You’re teaching her how to think about money, not what to think.

Put Them to Work

Free Savings Chart for Kids

Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash

We’ve covered the important step of talking about money. Next, it’s time to apply what your child has learned. If he’s old enough to hold a broom or to straighten up his room, your child is old enough to get paid for chores.

It’s important that he knows the money isn’t just for spending. Saving is a difficult concept for young minds, at first, unless they have something for which they’re saving. For example, if your daughter sees a Belle doll in the toy aisle and begs for you to buy it, you have some choices. You can purchase the doll, you can discuss the cost and why it’s not in the budget, or you can write down the dollar amount on a paper, head home, and help her calculate how many chores it’d take to save for the doll.

To aid in that endeavor, here are some free tools you can use with your child.

Free Savings Chart for Kids – and Other Great Savings Tools

Printable Savings Chart for Kids – via CouponsAreGreat.net

Downloadable “Share, Save, Spend” Chart for Kids – via iMom.com

Printable Savings Thermometer Chart – via Frugal-Mama.com

52-Week Money Challenge for Kids

Printable Play Money for Kids

Final Thoughts

Combine a free savings chart for kids with some great conversations and hard work around the house.  You’ll be setting the stage for great financial decisions, which will hopefully follow your children into adulthood!

Got some tips for teaching children to save money? Share one below!

Read More

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Teach Them Young: 3 Key Tips to Help Your Child Learn about Money

Filed Under: Education, Family Time, Home and Living, Money and Finances, Parenting Tagged With: 52 week money challenge, how to teach children to save money, kids and money, savings chart for kids, teach your child to save

What Is the Greenlight Card for Kids?

November 5, 2020 | Leave a Comment

If you have kids that are in middle school and high school, you likely feel the need (as I do) to teach them financial common sense.  The hope is that eventually they will be able to move out on their own and be financially responsible.  However, this lesson isn’t quickly learned, and it requires a lot of parental oversight to do it right.  One tool that can help you is the Greenlight Card for kids.

Greenlight Debit Card for Kids

What Is the Greenlight Card for Kids?

The Greenlight Card for kids is a debit card your children can use, but it comes with some amazing parental controls so you can help guide and influence your children in their money habits.

Please note that if your kids have smartphones, there is an app they can use which will show them their balance and chores and allow them to make requests.  However, the Greenlight Card for Kids can be used if kids don’t have smartphones, also.

Features of the Greenlight Card for Kids

This card makes allowances high tech.

Instantly Deposit Money

You can reward your children for chores well done by depositing money in their Greenlight Card.  Within the card app, children can set up different categories such as spend, save, and give.  They can also set up long-term goal categories such as saving for a car.

Parental Benefits

You can help your children manage their money with this helpful card.  You’ll be given real time spending alerts.

Teach your children about interest by giving them interest payments on their savings.  You decide how much you want to give them.

In addition, you can enable the feature that allows them to withdraw money from the ATM and set how much they’re allowed to withdraw.  Or, you can make withdrawing money off limits.

Features for Older Kids

Greenlight Debit Card for Kids

Photo by Stephen Phillips – Hostreviews.co.uk on Unsplash

If your teens have jobs, they can have their paycheck automatically deposited to the Greenlight Card for Kids.  The card can also be added to Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Safety Features

Each Greenlight Card is FDIC insured.  In addition, the card blocks your children from spending money for gambling or buying lottery tickets.  They also won’t be able to spend money at places like massage parlors and horse or dog races, and they cannot get cashback from a purchase.  You’ll get an alert if they try.

In addition, parents have the ability to turn the debit card on or off, should they need to.

How Much Does the Greenlight Card Cost?

The first month is free.  After that, you pay $4.99 for debit cards for up to five kids.  Should you need replacement cards, the first replacement cards are free.

Final Thoughts

The Greenlight Card for Kids offers a way to give your children financial independence while also providing parental oversight so you can help guide your children into financial growth.  This tool is an excellent way to exchange money between parents and kids while having features that let your children grow in responsibility as they grow up.

CIT Bank Money Market Account

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Filed Under: Money and Finances, Parenting, Technology Tagged With: Allowance, debit card, money management, teaching children money management

Free Printable Kids Money for Download

October 29, 2020 | Leave a Comment

Getting ready to teach your children or students how to interact with money? That’s fantastic! Not only will this building block help them learn mathematics like counting by fives and tens, but it will also prepare them for the workplace. Let’s take a look at a variety of free printable kids money available on the Web and ways to teach kids about money.

play money for kids

Free Printable Kids Money for Download

Monopoly Money

One of the most recognizable currencies for children (or at least this 90s kid) is the brightly colored money from the Hasbro game, Monopoly. These bills differ from U.S. currency in appearance but offer your children a chance to practice their counting, sorting, and hand-eye coordination skills.

Download your free printable Monopoly money here.

U.S. Coins

Are your children ready to learn coin values? Making change? Let’s take a look at some printable coin sheets for you:

Customized printable sheets of play money – At StemSheets.com, you can customize the number and denomination of play coins you need on each sheet. For example, you can print off 20 coins of each value (up to a quarter) on a single piece of paper. That’s 80 coins – in color – on one sheet.

Printable coins and coloring pages – Head over to EnchantedLearning.com to view printable images of quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies. Also, view a myriad of coloring pages for your child to enjoy as they educate her about U.S. coins.

Printable coin math worksheets – Ready to test your child’s knowledge of counting and making change? These free worksheets are great tools for just that.

Bonus Read: “6 Fun Money Games for Kids“

U.S. Dollars

Got a bank teller in the making? Help your children or students identify the correct face on each piece of currency and count them in quantities of fives, tens, twenties, or even hundreds with these options:

Fake Play Bills – Looking for fake $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 bills for your kids? Here is a complete list of free and printable play bills. These can engage your young child in a myriad of money lessons like counting, sorting, and even practicing good habits like using the envelope system.

Realistic Bills – Add a Face – A great way to quiz your child on whose face belongs to which bill is to show him this realistic play money with no face in the middle. After printing out these bills by denomination, he can color in his own face for some added fun. No worries. It’s only a federal crime to deface U.S. currency when it’s not play money. 😉

Games and Play to Teach Kids About Money

In the preschool years, kids are just beginning to learn that money has value and can be used to buy goods.  In early elementary, they learn to distinguish between the various bills and coins and their value.  You can help your child become money smart at an early age by playing money games with them.  Consider some of the following:

Buying Groceries

Print, cut, and laminate these terrific flash cards to quiz your child on prices at the grocery store. For example, she can use her fake money to pay for a $2 bag of popcorn or $1 bottle of water or do the math to pay for them both.

As your child gets older and masters this play game, you can take her with you to the grocery store.  Give her a certain amount of money and ask her to buy a few select things from your list.  This is a great time to teach her the difference between name brand and unbranded goods and the price difference between them.

Going to a Restaurant

Free Printable Kids Money

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Take advantage of your child’s love of play to play a game of restaurant.  Present children with a menu using one of these realistic free menu downloads.  Then, let your child choose his food, pay for the meal, and leave a tip.  This is an excellent time to talk about budgeting and staying within a budget when dining out.  Don’t forget to let your child switch roles and practice being the waiter.

Using Printable Play Checks

Is your child old enough to write? Then he’s old enough to learn how to write a check. Paper checks may seem archaic in today’s digital world, but it’s still a foundational skill from which your child will build his financial knowledge upon.

For example, give him a set list of chores to complete, then pay with a check using these free printable checks. Teach him how to understand the information on the check, endorse it properly on the back, and cash it. This will help him understand the role banks and employers will play in his life later, even if his paychecks are directly deposited.

Practicing Estimation

Another fun activity is helping your children practice estimation.  Fill a glass jar with coins, and let your kids guess how much money is in there.  The person with the closest estimate wins a small prize.

Collecting Change

Another idea is to save all your coins in a jar as a family.  Decide together what you’ll use the money for.  Maybe you’ll use it for a fun day out or for a donation to a charity you all agree on.

Teaching about Interest

For older elementary kids, teach them how interest works.  They can deposit money with you for their savings, and every month you can give them interest, at a rate you’ve determined, on their savings.  Your kids will likely be excited by this “free” money they’ve earned and want to save even more.

Final Thoughts

We all want our kids to be savvy when it comes to saving and spending.  Those skills should start being developed early, when kids are three to ten, through printable money and games with the kids.  The earlier you can start them understanding the value of money, the longer you have to teach them how to use money responsibly.

Bonus Read: “How to Teach a Child to Count Money“

Got any favorite ways to teach kids about money? We’d love to hear about them in the comments below!

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Filed Under: Education, Family Time, Growing Up, Money and Finances, Stuff to Do Tagged With: free printable money for kids, Monopoly money, printable kids money, printable play money, teach kids to count

How to Create a Digital Vision Board

October 22, 2020 | Leave a Comment

Digital Vision Board

Have you set goals for yourself?  Would you like to utilize a strategy to make those goals reality more quickly?  If so, a vision board may be just what you need.  Since most Americans are on their electronics most of the day, a digital vision board may be even more helpful.

How to Create a Digital Vision Board

Creating a digital vision board should only take an hour or two, but its impact should influence you for the rest of the year.

Determine Your Goals

The first step is to determine your goals.  What do you want to accomplish over the next 12 months?  What is working successfully in your life that you want to maintain?  What inspires you?

Make a list of seven to ten goals and items in your life that you want to maintain.

Then, it’s time for the fun—actually choosing the images for your vision board.

Choose Your Digital Vision Board Images

The next step is to find images that best visualize what you want to achieve in your life.  For instance, if you want to graduate from college, you may have an image of a woman in a cap and gown posing with her children.  If you want to cook at home more, you may have a picture of a luscious homemade meal or a woman cooking.

Pick at least one picture for each of your goals, though you can pick more if you’d like.

In addition, you may want to add in a few inspiring quotes to keep you motivated throughout the year.

Where to Find Images

When you’re looking for images, the best place to start is Pinterest.  Because there are so many pictures there, you can really find one that speaks to you and is unique to your own goals.  You can also find motivational quotes here.

While you’ll likely find all that you need on Pinterest, if you don’t, you can go to a place like Unsplash and find images there.

Digital Vision Board

Photo by Danielle MacInnes on Unsplash

Remember, you can also use your own personal photos.  If one goal is, “take a family vacation,” use a picture of the family on your last vacation as motivation.

How to Put the Digital Vision Board Together

Finally, to put the digital vision board together, go to Canva.  (It’s free!).  Once you’re in Canva, click on “Create a Design” and choose “Desktop Wallpaper.”

Next, upload all of the photos and quotes that you have chosen.

Click on “Elements” in the side bar and type in “grid.”  Then choose the grid pattern you would like and starting arranging your pictures.

Final Thoughts

For years, athletes have used visualization to help them perform better.  When you visualize something repeatedly, you’re more likely to achieve that goal.

By placing a digital vision board somewhere you will see it repeatedly throughout the day, say on your desktop, you’re subconsciously reinforcing the vision of your future and your likelihood of making that vision a reality.

Read More

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Filed Under: Home and Living, Parenting Blog at KidsAintCheap, Technology Tagged With: digital vision board, goals, Motivation, vision board

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