Money Management..for an {almost} 4 year old

So since it has been so long since I've posted, I figured I'd give everyone a {little} update on our life before I jumped into a new post! Me and Rueben are extremely happy in life right now. Me & Patrick have been together for almost a year, and Rue goes to an excellent daycare just a few doors down from where we live. I work at the 4-H/Extension Office with my mom, where I'm a Program Assistant. I LOVE my job, most of the time LOL. Working with my mom can get stressful, but overall we do great.

ANYWAYS.. yesterday we had a district meeting, where we learned about all kinds of stuff going on in the upcoming school year. One of our guest speakers talked about a curriculum we have called "Your Money, Your Future." Well some of his points really hit home with me. Since as of now, I only work part-time (usually 24 hrs a week), I don't make enough to really save anything. Whenever I do get to work extra hours, or get any extra money at all, it *usually* gets spent. I've wanted to start saving for a long time, especially to have a little cushion for Rue when he gets older, but never have enough extra.

One of the points that was made was that the old curriculum said that you should spend 80% of your income, save 10%, and share 10%. Well this confused a lot of kids. They asked why they have to spend all 80% of their "spend" fund. This is just a guideline! So the new curriculum (since it's designed for kids) says that it should be 40-50-10 (spend, save, share).
My idea is to mold this guideline into something that works for US. My weekly checks will still be spent on bills, until I get some extra income coming in, but Rueben will start to get an "allowance" for the chores that he helps me with. I will give him .10 per chore, and whenever he has a dollar (or more) saved up in a small change purse, we will count it out, leaving 40% of it where he can spend it, 50% in his piggy bank where I will put it in an account for him when he has enough, and 10% will be "shared". Although I'm not sure yet what I will do with his share account, whether it will be given to charity, or used to buy supplies to share with friends at school. That will be decided sometime soon.

Rueben will turn 4 in on Sept 15, and I just hope that I'm not starting this too early. (Or too late... hmm...) I want him to learn the value of a dollar early, and although he hasn't gotten to the stage YET where he wants a toy every time we go somewhere, I imagine it's coming soon.

Me on the other hand, will split any extra income I have pretty much  the same way, but put half for Rue in his savings account, and half for me in my savings account. I have GOT to have a cushion in case of emergency, which I don't have now.

What does everyone think? :)

I'm still alive!

Hi everyone, just wanted to give a quick update on our life right now. Me and my fiance split up back in May, so I moved back home to Georgia to live with my family. Me & Rueben are happy, and I work, go to school, and am the sole provider for him as of now. I have a new man in my life who makes both of us very happy, his name is Patrick :) I had a lot of scars from the past 5 years, but I am finally starting to work through them. I hope to start posting more often, and really cannot wait to get some of my crafts posted (whenever I can work on them again!).

just a little message...

Disasters

I can't keep my eyes off the screen from watching videos of the damage, and actual tornadoes, from last night's storm. I am clear across the country, but almost my entire family is in Georgia. Thankfully, they are in Southeast GA, so they are all okay, with just strong winds & rain. It breaks my heart to see all the damage, and to watch the death/injury tolls rise. The videos of the tornadoes themselves are terrifying. Please keep the families affected by these storms in your thoughts, prayers, and hearts as everyone copes with loss of homes, belongings, and most importantly, loved ones.

This is the page that I most recently read.. the last video has the most information, the first 2 are videos of the hurricanes. http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110428/ts_yblog_thelookout/watch-tuscaloosas-terrifying-tornado

Tuesday Hops

I also have a new Twitter account for this page... follow me at MH_keepstitchin

     

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Mama to 4 Blessings is hosting a giveaway!!

Mama to 4 Blessings is hosting a giveaway for a Cool Zooey Fliptop & E-Z Freeze Snack Time!! These are great cups for those young kids or toddlers in your life!!

          

Go here to enter!!