Helping kids appreciate money
Twenty years ago, it was pretty easy for parents and educators to know who was being bullied and who was responsible for it. Now it's not so easy, since kids of all ages are connected via cellphones, instant messaging, Facebook and Twitter. Read how you can help prevent your child from becoming a victim of cyberbullying.
Short answer: YEP! Here are 15 of the more popular and useful “frugal living” smartphone apps:
Read MoreIt’s August and that means parents across the country are preparing for back to school with their kids. Shopping for back to school items can be a tedious and costly process. We’ve compiled the following 25 back-to-school shopping tips from several experts on the subject matter. This year, get everything you need on your back to school list for less by following these tips.
Read MoreAccording to the National Retail Federation's 2013 Back-to-School Survey, families will shell out less than they did in 2012 for school gear, but still an average of $634.78 for clothing and shoes, electronics, and other school supplies. One-way parents can save money is by taking advantage of temporary tax breaks offered on back-to-school items.
Read MoreDo you think you know MONEY? How much does it cost to produce a penny? What's the largest bill ever produced? What's your money made of? How many people hold credit cards in the U.S.? Answers to these and many other money questions can be found right here.
Read MoreAccording to a study conducted by the Journal of Consumer Research, “People who set themselves ambitious goals tend to be more satisfied than those with lower expectations.” People set goals with two factors in mind: expectancy and value. ‘Expectancy’ refers to how likely you believe you are to succeed, and ‘value’ refers to how good it will be for you if you do reach the goal.
Picture yourself poolside, sipping a bellini with cucumbers resting on your eyes. For most moms, this is a fantasy long gone. Summer is for frantically figuring out what to do with your little ones and still being semi-productive yourself. It doesn’t have to be this way. With a little creativity and inspiration, you can maximize your “me time” and your kid’s fun time.
Read MoreAccording to a 2012 Teen Internet Behavior study done by McAfee, Inc., 70% of teens hide their online behavior from their parents. There is a major increase in the number of teens finding ways to hide what they do online from their parents, as compared to the 2010 study. This is a generation that is so comfortable with technology that they are surpassing their parents in understanding and getting away with behaviors that are putting their safety at risk.
According to a recent survey done by the Employee Benefit Research Institute, Americans’ expectations for retirement remain low. 28% of workers have no confidence they'll be able to afford a comfortable retirement. That's the highest level in the survey's 23-year history and only 57% of those surveyed reported having less than $25,000 in savings and investments (not counting the value of their homes and any defined benefit pension plans.) How do you stack up?
Read MoreGoal Accomplished = Joy
Take a look at the 30 second video below. At the end, I bet you'll be smiling and laughing along with him.
If you want to lure children away from the attraction of online play, keep in mind that kids respond most enthusiastically to internal motivation. Dr. Mark Lepper of Stanford University points out that internal motivation consists of the 5 C's: Challenge, Context, Competence, Control and Curiosity.
Read MoreTake a deep breath in. Hold it! Breath out sloooooooowly. Ahhhhh, school is out, and the decompression has begun.
As you think through all the fun things you'll do with your kids this summer, consider one that will challenge them to develop great money habits.
...Fort Knox currently holds more than $204 Billion in gold within its vaults? Or that in the past it has stored the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and many other priceless documents and treasures? Learn these and more fun facts about our great nations gold depository.
Your children may be toddlers, preschoolers, or only in their elementary years, but it’s never too early to begin saving for their college. College is still a good investment in your child’s future. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, “people with four-year degrees earn nearly twice as much as those with high school diplomas.” Fortunately, there are many resources available to guide parents along the path of saving for college.
Read More20 percent of college students are facing financial hardships because of debt. To prevent your child from becoming part of this statistic, sit down and discuss money management before sending them off to college. By taking an active role early, you have the best chance of preventing your child from becoming the one in five who is struggling to control their financial situation.
Read MoreSo, what does mom want for Mother's day? Who are the big spenders on mom. These and many more questions answered below. Happy Mother's Day!!!
Read More“I am reaching my goals," said one 5th grader in my class.” “I’d like to earn money for charity by doing extra chores,” exclaimed another. My students are reaching for things they normally would not have, if it weren't for FamilyMint. They now know how to fill out a check, take care of adding and subtracting from their register, and even "envelope" their money. As a teacher, I appreciate helping students brush up on money skills and vocabulary, as well as seeing how happy they are to spend a little time with parents around goal setting and financial literacy.
Read MoreSuccess doesn’t always come easy to the rich and famous. Here are a few examples of some famous people who have overcome difficult situations and odds to offer real rags-to-riches stories.
David Fiske, a 5th grade mathematics teacher at Heritage Elementary school in Saline, MI, and his class have completed the FamilyMint Money Management Certification program. The program was generously sponsored by Bank of Ann Arbor. Mr. Fiske stated, "Real life application is important for student learning. This program gave my fifth grade students practical experience using a financial program which connected with the mathematics concepts that they learn in the classroom and provides a financial unit that is clear and user-friendly."
Read MoreAccording to the Federal Reserve's April 2013 G-19 Consumer Credit Report, Americans owe a hefty $850.9 billion in credit card debt, or $ 6,890 per household. If we are going to raise money-smart kids, we need to teach them the potential perils of relying on credit cards, and explain to them (and even model) the benefits of using cash. Here are some great reasons to choose cash over credit.
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