The Envelope System Made Easy
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The Envelope System is a popular method of budgeting, and for good reason. The process is dead-simple.
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5 Really Simple Money-Smart Shopping Tips
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Who doesn't like to shop? Oh, I know there are guys out there that will say they hate shopping, but you catch them on the web surfing for a new Ipad or the latest and greatest gizmo. We're a consumer society. That's what we do...we buy stuff. But there's smart shopping and not so smart shopping. Who wants to be a smart shopper? Well here are some tips to help you and your kids stretch that dollar:
Read MoreThe Personal Story of a FamilyMint Family
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Having a family of 6 in today’s society means that being disciplined in managing family finances must be a priority. This realization, and ultimately a commitment to do something about it is what brought my family to FamilyMint. If you are reading this blog….your probably have a very similar story.
Read MoreBuying Your Teen’s First Car
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Everyone remembers their first car. Loving the freedom of the open road, getting your driver’s license, feeling in control, being behind the wheel by yourself for the first time. It’s an exciting feeling for the teen in your life, but how much should you spend on a car for your inexperienced driver?
Read More5 Ways to Cut Teen Summer Travel Costs
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After months of saving, many teens anticipate spending part of their summer traveling with friends. However, it’s important for teens to plan trips as wisely as they save for them. Whether it’s an overnight camping trip or a week on a coastal beach, smart planning is equally important to financial success.
Read MoreTop 10 Money Tips for Parents
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“But why do I have to wait two weeks?” said my 12 year old son. “O, come on, please! I really want it and I won’t want anything else for a long time!” This was almost a weekly ritual in my house as my son would look through the Sunday ads for good “deals.” We had tried many things, including a mandatory two week waiting period, but nothing seemed to really help.
Read MorePlanning for College with a 529 Account
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The price of college continues to go up; around $9,000 for tuition and fees alone at four-year undergraduate schools, and $35,000 or more at private schools, according to the College Board. Be sure there are no surprises; discuss these costs with your children, decide what they will be responsible for and get them on board (a FamilyMint.com account with a college goal is an excellent place to start!)
Read MoreA Scary Thought - And How I Fixed It
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The biggest money lesson I am passing along to my kids is how I act on a daily basis.This thought used to strike a bit of terror in me, especially when I saw how some of my kids’ money habits were turning out.
Read MoreA View from the Other Side
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Today’s kids glob on to computer-based programs like it is genetically engineered into their DNA, so dated “tools” like the envelope system we used, piggy banks, etc. don’t capture their attention. And what’s worse, they focus only on the money, and not on what the money can do.
Read MoreTeaching Kids to be Money Smart
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Creating money-smart kids doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a skill and a behavior that has to be nurtured over time. The skill lies in learning the value of saving, giving, and spending conscientiously and understanding the difference between wants and needs. The behavior comes from the habits formed in doing these things over time and learning from mistakes.
Read MorePaying for College in a Down Economy
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Despite the down economy, there are several ways parents and teens can work together to save for college without taking out a second mortgage or losing the house.
Read MoreSuccessful people set goals
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Dave Ramsey often says, “Children do what feels good. Adults devise a plan and stick to it.” We want to do all we can to teach our children to grow into successful adults, so how do we form the skills and the habits of planning ahead?
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