Vacation Planning
Here are the kiddos this past week spending their Toys R Us Gift cards from Christmas!
Yesterday we were driving, just the kids and me, when they started the incessant begging that seems to have become a normal occurrence.
Don't get me wrong...I like to eat out too. And I like to buy new things too. Just not all of the time! This past week we had taken them to go shopping and it seemed right after they wanted more. And the kiddos seem to want something all of the time. Their consumerism has gotten out of hand.
So I turned off the Fresh Beat Band we were jamming to and had a serious heart to heart.
We talked about having a goal for trying to save money. We decided to make our September vacation our long-term goal.
I explained to the kids that our vacation this year will consist of going to Michigan...way out in the wilderness Michigan. When Emma asked how much we are going to need I explained that there are different amounts depending on what we want to do. If we just want to go camping and explore, maybe buy a souvenir then it will cost one amount of money. Another step up we could get ice cream and do fun things like putt-putt and get more souvenirs. And the top price point would mean we could stay at a hotel, have lots of fun and explore lots of things. Emma chose the last one.
Nick and I are still putting together the numbers for each "price point" if you will and the kiddos seem pretty amped up. They suggested a jar to keep our vacation money in as a visual reminder of what we are working towards.
Nick and I have some of our own hints for saving money. At Nick's work they give out gift cards to gas stations throughout the year which we save for vacations. We then have those we can deduct off our gas budget for the trip. We also have a rebate program from our bank where we earn money on debit card purchases. If we book our hotel through their travel agent they double this money towards our hotel. So far we have about $140 to spend towards a hotel so that can be deducted from our amount needed. We are always looking to use things up and utilize little pockets of resources we have available.
Anywho, I am so excited that they got into the action of saving and working towards something! I told them whenever they want something they should think of our goal and what we are working towards saving towards.
I was thankful too that they were listening long enough too to talk about how God wants up to be a good steward of our money.
Matthew 5:20-21 " And he who had received five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.''
We need to take care of what God has provided us with and trust that He will provide. We need to be content with what we have rather than always expecting more.
Hebrews 13:5 "Keep your life free from money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." "
I'd love to know how you all are teaching your kiddos to live frugally and to be content with what they have. Ideas please! :)