Tag: money
How Do You Measure Success?
Success means something different for everyone. The measure of success varies greatly from person to person. Some may feel successful by obtaining material things. The next person may measure success because they have achieved a goal that they set for themselves. You may be a success due to overcoming something that was out of reach. Wealthy people may say they are successful due to the size of their bank account.
In the digital age, there are many people who measure success by the number of followers they have on social media. Musicians are successful when they have topped the charts or surpassed a certain number of sales.
Success can be as simple as providing for yourself. Working, by either self-employment or a company is a way to have success. Securing a place to live, being employed, having a vehicle. Continually meeting personal milestones is another way to measure success.
Can you answer this? How do you measure success?
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Wealth or Friends
Is it better to be wealthy with little to no true friends or humble/poor with many friends?
Wealth affords a lot of things. Alternatively, having friends are an advantage too. You can consider yourself rich if you have both wealth and a network of friends. True friends. Sometimes when people are financially wealthy, they have people around them but not necessarily all of them can be called a friend. You know, there are groupies, moochers, free loaders, etc. It can be hard to tell if those people are truly your friend or just hanging around because of what you have. And more importantly, what they can get from you. Call it what it is, I’m sure you have all seen this scenario before.
The Upside of Financial Wealth
- No worrying about paying bills
- Buy what you want, when you want
- Dream vacation is possible
- Can save and/or invest your money
- Donate to your favorite charity
- Party hard
The Upside of Having Friends
- No worrying about being lonely or bored
- Companionship is there
- Having friends provides an emotional support system
- A listening ear is just a phone call away in those times when you just need to talk
- Feeling of community
- Social life is always possible
Being humble/poor with many friends gives you the feeling that the people in your life are there for you. They are not concerned with what you have or do not have. You don’t have to wonder if they are around for some other reason. Genuine friends are hard to come by and when you don’t have much in the way of material things, but you have friends, that is nothing to take lightly.
Having money is good but it comes with some downsides too. Like not knowing who has an agenda or ulterior motive. You can buy many things with money, but you can’t buy friends or love. Money does not buy happiness.
On the other hand, having friends does provide happiness. You have people around you to celebrate you and in return; you them. Maybe being humble/poor causes stress in your life. That friend(s) sometimes makes it all better when they still visit you. They don’t judge you for your humble wardrobe or humble home.
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Teaching Children the Value of Money
Teaching our children the value of money is about providing the tools they will need as they grow up. One of the basic things we know about money is that it does not grow on trees. Kids don’t think about that when they want something. All they know is gimme, gimme, gimme while they have their hand out. As parents, we have seen this all too many times. It is up to us as parents to educate our children about the value of money.
A conversation needs to happen with our children so they know and learn about financial responsibility. I don’t mean we need to sit down and go over the bank ledger or spreadsheet of all the household monthly bills. After all, they are kids, they are not interested in this. But, they do need to know the basics. I must confess that I did not do this with my child. Looking back, I wish I had. That doesn’t mean it is too late for some of you.
A simple way to do this is when we are shopping at the grocery or department store. If they see something that is not in the budget or on the list, they want it right? Well, that is when we have to first, learn to say no. We have to let them know that everything on the shelf is not for the taking. Maybe today they cannot have that shirt or snack but the next time; maybe.
Secondly, we must also let them know not to spend everything they have, just because they have it. Save some money for a rainy day. Just because you have $150 does not mean that you should spend it all. Save a portion of this so that you will always have something in your pocket.
Ways to teach children about money
GET A PIGGY BANK
A piggy bank is a good start depending on the age of the child. But, for an older child they may want to use something else. A shoe box, canister, or an envelope. Anything they feel comfortable stashing their money in, let them choose. Encourage them to count their money at least once a week. This will build excitement and they can see how much their money is growing. Let them know also, that not everyone needs to know where their money is or how much they have.
GIVE AN ALLOWANCE
An allowance does 2 things. The first thing is that it teaches the child responsibility. They know in order to get their allowance they have to do something, like chores around the house. They are not just being given money. Secondly, it gives them a sense a pride to know that the money they are getting is because they worked for it. Anything they use the money for will be more meaningful to them.
TAKE YOUR CHILD TO THE BANK
Going to the bank lets them see how bank transactions work. This way they will know how to make a deposit and/or withdrawal. I know this sounds simple but there are some out there who do not know how to complete a bank transaction. Alternatively, you can open a bank account in your child’s name and show them how to balance their account.
LET THEM SHOP WITH THEIR MONEY
When making a purchase, let them use the money that they have saved. When they realize that they are using the money they earned, they might be a little more selective about how much they spend and on what they spend their money. It may give them a healthier overall attitude about spending. When they learn that Mom and Dad are not just going to buy something for them, they will cherish the item more and be smarter about what they buy.
EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF PAYING WITH CASH
Instead of credit cards pay in cash. I know you are thinking, kids don’t have credit cards. Well…some do but that is for another discussion. This is just something to mention to them in their early life, to prepare them for later. Hopefully, they will remember this lesson. When paying with cash you can only spend up to the amount that you have on hand. You cannot overspend for something that you know may be overpriced. Also teach them to comparison shop. At the grocery store have them compare the same or similar products and not just grab the first one they see. Most times, the more expensive products will be at eye level and the easiest to find. This is what the retail giants want us to do as consumers.
Do’s
- Do encourage paying with cash- this helps to prevent overspending
- Do take care of personal belongings- taking special care and pride will make things last longer and keep them looking newer longer. You never know when/if you will get another
- Do shop around for the best price- always check other options available for the item you are looking for
- Do stress the importance of counting change after each transaction before leaving the counter
Image by janjf93 from Pixabay/text by O’Nika McGill
Don’ts
- Don’t just buy the first item you see on the shelf-Compare prices or look for sale items
- Don’t spend all the money you have- Save a portion and spend wisely
- Don’t be careless with your things. Put things away in their proper place so that it does not get damaged
- Don’t loan an amount of money that you cannot afford to give away- We don’t always get paid back the money we lend; so be sure what you lend you can afford and not be adversely affected if you don’t get the money back
Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay/text by O’Nika McGill
Recap
So, what do we know? We know that money does not grow on trees, someone has to work to bring that money into the home. Children need to learn this. I’m not saying to never, ever again buy anything for them. All I am saying is to help them understand the value in what they receive.
Kids also need to know that when they are being given something, to take care of it. Don’t treat it like tomorrow they can just get another one. When we see them taking pride in receiving then we are more inclined to give a little more. If a child demonstrates that they appreciate what they have by being responsible with it and taking care of it, this is always a good thing.
Another thing they should be taught is that money is not always about spending. Keep some in your pocket. We are not trying to keep up with the Joneses. Just because your friend down the street bought something new, so what!! You mind your own pocket. That new pair of shoes or new video game will be out of style soon. Keep your pocket full. Keep your pocket full.