Those of you that have children know what an excursion to the local mall or supermarket can be like. If you're not careful, this simple trip can easily become a wallet draining experience.
How often have you heard:
"I want Luchables because EVERYONE eats them at lunch!"
"Come on mom, these cool pants only cost $80."
"Dad, everyone has a Playstation II, I need one too!"
"I need 2 sodas and 2 bags of chips everyday!"
Certainly, we as parents want to make our children happy and not deprive them of a delightful childhood, but who's to say that you must give in to every one of your child's requests.
Why must you work twenty overtime hours just so your son can have a new video gaming system? Why must your grocery bill be over $200 just so your children can have the latest cereal, ice-cream, snacks, candies, and sodas available?
Truth About "Brand Names"
Brand names cost money. Quite a bit of money. Especially when you add them up over time. The reasons these brands must charge more money is to cover their enormous advertising and marketing costs.
Since children are constantly bombarded with advertisements on the television and amongst their peers at school, they are most likely going to ask you for these same products.
No one really enjoys telling their children they can't have something they want, however looking at the bigger picture, what lesson are we teaching our kids if we simply give in to their every request? For one, they are not learning the value of money and the role it plays in our lives. Secondly, they are not learning about the importance of conservation and how to properly budget their money.
Learning to budget and save money at an early age will really come in handy especially as they grow older, start driving, and get offered tempting pre-approved credit cards through the mail. If they are not careful and able to budget their money effectively, this new found freedom may drain all the money from their pockets.
Teaching The Importance of Conservation
Not only is this the perfect opportunity to get your children "Brand Free" and away from the expensive, trendy stuff, but it's also the perfect opportunity to teach them the value of money.
Here's one way you can approach this.
Explain to your children that the money you spend on clothes, food, toys, etc, depletes the amount you are able to save for future needs.
Explain that starting today, only the NECESSITIES will be purchased. No more ice cream, chips, soda, candy, lunchables, except maybe on special occasions. Toys and games will need to be earned and will no longer be given away for free. Etc...
For example, you could state that you will only be purchasing Cheerios (or another low priced cereal). If your children want to have Captain Crunch or Cookie Crisp, they will have to buy them using their own money.
Same principal for their lunches. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, tuna fish, apples, oranges, carrots, and raisons. If they want Lunchables or some other type of non-nutritious fast food, they will have to buy it with their own money.
Soon, you will have your child(ren) deciding "Is a Quarter Pounder Meal worth $4.50 out of my savings?" or "Do I really need that new video game that cost $50?".
This "brand free" approach can be applied to all other shopping areas aside from the supermarket example.
When you are shopping for clothes, ONLY buy the necessities. Ignore the most expensive and most popular items. Only buy what you, or the children, absolutely need, ignore all the rest.
Regarding toys and games, you can make it so that your children ONLY get "free" toys on Christmas and their birthdays. If they want something additional, they must purchase the item with their own money.
Taking These Ideas One Step Further
Once you have inspired your children to participate in this money saving, "brand free" lifestyle, it's time to MOTIVATE them to help increase their success.
As with everything in life, having a goal to strive for greatly increases the probability of success.
Goals help us stay focused on the task at hand. Goals help the individual strive for something tangible that's meaningful or important to them.
A runner's goal may be to shave 10 seconds off their lap time. This runner will then practice, workout, and time themselves, striving to run a lap 10 seconds faster than before.
In our "brand free" exercise, you may want to come up with a goal that you and your children can strive towards. For example, you could establish a short term goal that states, if your children can eat healthy and not ask for any "brand name stuff" for two months, you will take them to any movie they want to see.
Here are some more ideas for the various goal ranges:
Short Term: 1-3 months
picnic, trip to beach, movie of their choice
Medium Range: 3-8 months
new game, doll house, Chuck-E-Cheese trip
Long Term: 8-12 months
Disneyland trip, Water Theme park, day at the carnival
Sticking To Your Plan
Regardless what your decide to implement, remember that this is your plan. You are the parent, so you decide what's best for your children. Don't take any negative remarks or any bad mouthing from your kids in regards to this new lifestyle. Stick with it!
Just keep in mind that these exercises and lessons will benefit your children in the long run regardless of what they may think of it at the moment.
Best wishes teaching your children to be "brand free" and money conscious.
Gregory Thomas has been writing effective money-saving tips for SavingSecrets.com for over six years. Hop on over and you'll find FREE money-saving articles, a monthly newsletter, and even a FREE Ebook download just for stopping by! http://www.savingsecrets.com
Rolling Meadows Cadillac Escalade rental .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareImagine a child who lacks ownership of his own life,... Read More
Most of us recognize the continuing escalation of violence around... Read More
Researchers have estimated that 25-35% of children in the United... Read More
Question 1 "How do I get more time to play?"... Read More
Do you want to create a deeper, more loving relationship... Read More
What is child sexual abuse? Any sexual activity that is... Read More
When my firstborn arrived into this serene and peaceful household,... Read More
The formula is pretty straightforward: energy in/energy out. This is... Read More
Start some gardening traditions with your kids. Give them their... Read More
Let's be honest! When it comes to parenting, men expect... Read More
Do you really want your child to enjoy playing with... Read More
Strollers offer a wonderful and convenient service to parents and... Read More
If your child has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder then at... Read More
You are sitting with the professionals who know about learning... Read More
Your child's leadership skills begin at the family dinner table.... Read More
My kids just can't get enough of playing games with... Read More
Public-school teaching is structured in such a way that it... Read More
A small town, somewhere in the world, was managed by... Read More
Depending on where you live school will be starting this... Read More
Few things are more completely enjoyable than becoming a grandparent.... Read More
There are many things to like about the television show... Read More
Have you ever wondered why toys for babies tend to... Read More
College is one of the largest expenses through the course... Read More
How are parents to know they are doing the right... Read More
Many young people don't know how to study efficiently and... Read More
Des Moines rental limo ..Attention all parents of teen-agers. Here is an important, groundbreaking... Read More
Successful parents have learned to be both firm and kind... Read More
Most of us really don't like it when someone is... Read More
Join a growing number of parents and teachers!Fact: Last year,... Read More
Research has shown that the present generation of children worldwide... Read More
"In general my children refuse to eat anything that hasn't... Read More
Child Party Planning Guideline #1)Pick the ThemeYour child is going... Read More
To every thing there is a season, and a time... Read More
Very often, new parents rely on a parenting tip or... Read More
There are so many learning labels floating around these days... Read More
Most parents can hardly wait for their baby to say... Read More
Courage means doing the right thing when it is hard,... Read More
If your child or teen has been diagnosed with Attention... Read More
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes around the brain... Read More
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is making... Read More
There are a few points about shyness in children which... Read More
While on a recent trip to the grocery store, I... Read More
Last night Tom's daughter, Sue, came out of her room... Read More
Be aware. You may become totally overwhelmed when you get... Read More
Diagnosing children and teens with ADHD can be a challenge.... Read More
Life is comprised of pieces of time sprinkled with pivotal... Read More
Did you know that the school system is only able... Read More
Most teens go into the work world ill-prepared to manage... Read More
In 1996-97 we were contracted by VAXA International of Tampa,... Read More
You need to smart to be able influence adolescents. You... Read More
Parenting |