I remember a moment when Paige was a little girl, about 5 years old, and we were out shopping. I was thinking about buying a really cute outfit for me, but I reluctantly put it back on the rack.
I remember her, in her little, concerned voice, asking that if I loved it so much why didn’t I buy it. I explained it was too expensive and I didn’t have enough money to get it, so I would wait for a sale.
She replied, “Mommy, just get out that checkbook then and give them a check. Or use that plastic card thingy in your purse.”
At the time I thought it was cute — she had no concept that you needed money to cover your purchases. Thinking back now, especially after reading the news the past few weeks, I wonder if she was hanging out with politicians and listening to their spending habits, because boy have they got us in a pickle.
I am going to nominate my dad, and probably several other wise people about his age, to give some lessons to politicians. I remember how we spent money in our household as a kid. If we wanted something, such as a new car or a trip, we saved. We earned what we wanted, and my parents paid with cash.
If one of us got sick, or the washer broke, there was a rainy day emergency fund set aside, because whether you are dealing with running a household, or an entire state, there are little unexpected things that pop up. Life happens, and when life happens it is nice to be prepared.
I am mad our schools are facing huge budget cuts that will affect jobs and class sizes and quality of education. The cuts that Parents as Teachers programs face have already been well-documented in the news.
I also think that nothing needs more reform than the welfare system. I have dealt with lots of families who have been on it for generations.
In my opinion, it is not designed to get people off of it. I have had so many young, single mothers who have tried to get jobs and get off welfare.
The first thing that happens to them when they get a check is they have to pay a higher portion of rent at their low income housing apartments. Then they have to find, then pay for, quality child care. Then they get cuts to their Medicaid and their food stamps, which put them more in the hole than their neighbors, who do nothing.
Though our governments have their work cut out for them, we at home can make a difference with our own children:
• Start savings accounts for your children. Whether it’s at the bank down the street or a piggy bank in your child’s room, give them an easy way to save money.
• If your kid starts talking about a must-have toy or game, share their excitement. Then clip out a picture of it with its price and keep it in a prominent place (how about beside that piggy bank?). They may groan at first, but it will teach them that anything worth having is worth saving for.
• Encourage saving all the way to college. Some students are graduating from college with more than $40,000 worth of debt, partially racked up from purchases made on credit.
• Be good examples by doing the same kinds of things. Clip out a picture of that cute, new outfit, or that new TV. Then make sure to show your kids that it is fully paid.
Jane Drummond is a parent educator for the Carthage School District. Contact her at janedrummond@mchsi.com.
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