- Diana Leave a comment

How To Raise Money Savvy Kids In Today’s Modern World

Grab your own copy of our Freebie Printable Spend or Save Cheat Sheet below!

 

There’s unrest swirling in the air amongst men and boys everywhere this month as Nintendo revealed its latest new gaming system, The Switch.

Like a swarm of bees to honey, they simply can’t help but be lured by siren calls. And of course, amongst that very swarm includes my husband and our 6-year-old, son.

Yes, of course, bzzz… 😉

 

“So Dad, how many dow lahs does the Switch costs?” asked my inquisitive 6-year-old.

 

“It’s a lot of money, buddy. Why do you ask?” my husband responded.

 

“Well, because I want to see if I have enough dow lahs to buy one. They have the new Mario Kart game on it!” he exclaimed with a bounce.

 

“Umm, it’s like $400 dollars buddy…” my husband replied sheepishly.

 

“$400 dow lahs! What?! Forget that!” responded my 6-year-old in total disbelief.

 

And with that, my husband and I both exchanged a look that can only be described as kindred spirits. Because in that very split second glance we shared between two loving parents (You know, that very same depth-of-silence look that was coined by Mr. Jon Hamm himself from Mad Men.

Yeah, exactly that, that happened) we both knew, we’ve done it.

 

Yep, we got through to him, our first-born babe. Somewhere along the way, this little squirt of just shy of 7 years old, had just learned a very powerful and very important lesson that most folks much older than he has yet to figure out.

And it just about blew these very proud parents away. It was honest to goodness, humbling and oh so very satisfying to not only hear him say that but to also know that he understood the value of saving what little money he has earned in his short life thus far to sacrifice it for a much-lauded after a gaming system.

What wise words uttered from the mouth of a child. This mama bear could not have been more proud.  🙂

 

And here I was, worried that I was not doing nearly enough to teach my kids some of the much-needed basics they need to know about money.

 

We see it all the time. It’s all over the news. Headlines plastered across our screens about the national debt crisis ballooning out-of-control. And yet everyone, including our very own family, are constantly bombarded with temptations to buy! Buy! Buy!

 

Not only that, it is as if no one could care less about the equally astounding mortgage and student loans debt. We have come to accept this as the norm of living in American society today, and it has eaten us alive. (Yep, even us, we’re guilty of that as well.)

 

But of course, someone’s gotta be able to pay for this burgeoning debt.

But who? And with what money, right?

Credit Cards aren’t gonna cut it.

And there it goes, from one shiny object to the next shiny object, like a domino effect.

We can’t help but to buy into it.

 

But what if we can summon up the courage to say no and resist these temptations from spinning out-of-control?

Wouldn’t that be nice?

 

Heck, my 6-year-old just about schooled us on the very thing we deal with on a daily basis. So I know, it is well within our power to harness our courage and resist spending money needlessly.

 

Oftentimes when we are faced with the temptation to buy that cool new shiny object, it is so easy just to give in and justify ourselves by saying that we worked hard for it and so we deserve it. But maybe instead of thinking that we are denying ourselves the pleasure of this cool new shiny object, we begin to tell ourselves and believe that we are actually saving up our money for something bigger and better.

 

Take it as having a peace of mind, to save for a rainy day, because something better will come along and replace that once shiny cool new object that is now dull and forgotten. You are saving yourself a world of grief from having to deal with being in debt, all for a very brief instance of gratification.

 

Now in full disclosure- I have not yet explained this concept to my kids. And by the same token, I should not expect them to already understand the concept of a need versus a want.

But I have a sneaky suspicion that, as little, as they are, they’ve already known more than I give them credit for. I am constantly amazed by what comes out of their mouths every day.

 

So have heart, continue to do what you do at home and be open and honest with your family members when it comes to how you manage your family’s finances.

  • Continue to compare deals and shop for the best prices together.
  • Continue to clip your coupons and pick up items that are the best bang for your buck.
  • Continue to share your frugal ideas with your children, because you will be pleasantly surprised to see what they have just learned from watching you in action (real-life situations here folks!)

 

Pick a good time (preferably after breakfast) one day and take your kids to the store (on purpose! – I’m holding in a laugh right now as I’m writing this.) Negotiate with them before entering the store.

If they continue to show you good behavior during your shopping trip that you will reward them with 1 item of their choice. Let them pick out a toy that they want.

Then let them pay the cashier. Make sure to let them know that this is a reward-a special treat you are giving them for working so hard.

 

But yes-do it on purpose anyway because it’s a valuable lesson for them. And yes, I’ve done it myself too, several times as a matter of fact.

That is why I can definitely say from my own experience that it actually sunk through to my kids!

 

Here is how we explain the concept of money to our kids:

 

What is money?

  • Money is a type of currency that is used all over the world by everyone.
  • In the U.S., money can be traded in paper form or in coins.

 

When do we use money?

  • We use money whenever we have a need or a want for something.
  • Money can be traded for goods or services (doing something for someone else).

 

Why do we use money?

  • Money is a means to an end (it lets us buy the things we need and want).
  • A need is something that you cannot live without (like food, water, clothing, shelter).
  • A want is something that you do not need to live (like gum, candy, a bubble blaster, or the latest Nintendo gaming system, the Switch! 😉 )

 

Where do we use money?

  • Money is used everywhere and by everyone in the world.

 

How is money used?

  • We earn money by working for it. (You do a job and you get paid money for doing that job.)
  • People work so that they can earn money to buy the things that they need to live, like food & water.
  • You can also receive money as a gift for a special occasion (such as: birthdays, weddings, or holidays)
  • You can also choose to give money away as a gift or a donation to a charity (a place that does something good for others like an animal shelter or homeless shelter).

 

I hope this gives you an idea of what to say and how to communicate with your own kids about money. Our intent is to teach our kids about money as early as they are able to count.

In doing so, we hope that they will become more financially responsible as they become adults. As their parents, we believe it is our responsibility to bestow this knowledge onto our kids because we are their first teachers, and also because we have discovered that financial literacy is NOT taught in schools, even though it should be.

The next time you hear that ice cream truck come down your street, give your kids some money and let them pay for it. They will begin to have an understanding of what money is and how important it is to be able to save up for their very own treat.

Then give them two options:

 

Option A: Whether they would like to pay for the treat themselves

-or-

Option B: Whether they would prefer to go to the grocery store and pick up a variety pack for much cheaper.

 

Either way, ask for their opinion to see what they would say. Chances are, their answers will surprise even you when your kids have actually discovered the importance of being able to save up for their very own treat.

Here’s a fun free printable for you to print out and laminate to hang up in your kid’s room.

 

 

Whenever they see a new toy they want, ask them these 6 questions to see if it’s worth it for them to reconsider before they buy.

Make it a point to talk openly to each other about money, anytime you have the opportunity to do so with your kids so that it does not become a topic shrouded by mystery. It makes for a great conversation starter when you are trying to teach them about money concepts.

Enjoy!

 

Disclosure:

The purpose of this blog is to provide insight and enjoyment only. I am not nor do I claim to be an expert or professional in any manner. All opinions are 100% my own. Please do not copy any content from my website without my prior permission or written consent from me. However, you may link directly to my post for reference and to give credit.

Disclaimer:

This website contains affiliate links and sponsorships. I do not endorse nor would I recommend any products that I have not used nor trust to my readers. Thank you so much for your continued support in helping our small blog grow- at no costs to you whatsoever.

 

Contact:

Please contact me directly via email:  admin@fulloffortunes.com, if you have any questions and/or comments. Thanks for stopping by! J

- Diana Leave a comment

Quick, Easy, & Mouth Watering, Beef Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe

 

This recipe was born out of the need to use up a large gallon size of Sweet Baby Ray’s Original BBQ Sauce.

Our family loves having Beef Broccoli Stir Fry for dinner, it’s one of our running staples.

We keep recipes like this one on a Family Favorites List especially for busy weeknights when there’s band practice or swim lessons to get to.

The last thing you want to worry about is fitting in a quick and healthy dinner that might also taste good too.

Having a Family Favorites List is a must-have when you are short on time and must do all-the-things.

Check out this Quick, Easy, & Mouth Watering, Beef Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe below and save yourself some time and moolah from having to call for takeout.

 

Print
Quick, Easy, & Mouth Watering, Beef Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe

Yield: 8

Quick, Easy, & Mouth Watering, Beef Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe

Ingredients

  • 3 cloves of Garlic, minced
  • ½ Red Onion, sliced
  • 3 tbsp Olive Oil or Vegetable Oil
  • 1/3 cup of Soy Sauce
  • 1/4 cup of Sesame Oil
  • 1 tbsp Sweet Baby Ray's Original BBQ Sauce
  • 1 tsp. Ketchup
  • 1 tsp Brown Sugar
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • ½ tsp White Granulated Sugar
  • ½ tsp Ground White Pepper
  • ½ tsp Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 tbsp Corn Starch
  • ½ cup of warm water
  • 1 small head of Broccoli Crown
  • 1 carrot, peeled & sliced
  • 1/2 red bell pepper
  • 1/2 orange bell pepper
  • 1/2 yellow bell pepper
  • 1 can of Water Chestnuts, rinsed and drained
  • 1 handful/bunch of Sugar Snap Pea Pods
  • 1 can of Baby Corn, rinsed and drained
  • 1 lb Beef Sirloin Steak, thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. Marinate the beef sirloin in a separate bowl by adding sesame oil, bbq sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, salt, white granulated sugar, white pepper, black pepper, & a pinch of MSG (optional).
  2. Set beef aside and let marinate while prepping other ingredients.
  3. In a separate small bowl, add cornstarch to warm water and stir well to remove all lumps.
  4. Set aside to be used later.
  5. On medium heat, drizzle pan or wok with Olive/Vegetable Oil.
  6. Then add minced garlic to the oil to cook for about 2 minutes or until fragrant.
  7. Do not let the garlic burn or it will taste bitter and crunchy. (I’ve made this mistake once too many times. :/)
  8. Add the marinated beef to the hot pan or wok.
  9. Cook for about 5 minutes or until beef is done to desired wellness.
  10. Stir frequently to keep from burning.
  11. Lower your heat from medium to low and add the cornstarch mixture and the soy sauce to the cooked beef sirloin while stirring frequently.
  12. May need more water if the mixture is too thick or starts to burn due to high heat.
  13. Add all remaining vegetables to your wok: red onions, broccoli, carrots, water chestnuts, pea pods, & baby corn.
  14. Stir Fry quickly and make sure everything is well coated with sauce, about 15-30 minutes from the start of heating until ready to serve.
  15. Serve on a platter with a side of your favorite cooked white or brown rice.
  16. Optional: garnish with a handful of sliced scallions (green onions) or a few sprigs of cilantro right before serving.
  17. Enjoy! 😉
https://fulloffortunes.com/quickeasymouthwateringbeefbroccolistirfryrecipe/

 

Quick, Easy, & Mouth Watering, Beef Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 3 cloves of Garlic, minced
  • ½ Red Onion, sliced
  • 3 tbsp Olive Oil or Vegetable Oil
  • 1/3 cup of Soy Sauce
  • 1/4 cup of Sesame Oil
  • 1 tbsp Sweet Baby Ray’s Original BBQ Sauce
  • 1 tsp. Ketchup
  • 1 tsp Brown Sugar
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • ½ tsp White Granulated Sugar
  • ½ tsp Ground White Pepper
  • ½ tsp Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 tbsp Corn Starch
  • ½ cup of warm water
  • 1 small head of Broccoli Crown
  • 1 carrot, peeled & sliced
  • 1/2 red bell pepper
  • 1/2 orange bell pepper
  • 1/2 yellow bell pepper
  • 1 can of Water Chestnuts, rinsed and drained
  • 1 handful/bunch of Sugar Snap Pea Pods
  • 1 can of Baby Corn, rinsed and drained
  • 1 lb Beef Sirloin Steak, thinly sliced
  • Optional: garnish with a handful of sliced scallions (green onions) or a few sprigs of cilantro right before serving

 

Directions:

  • Marinate the beef sirloin in a separate bowl by adding sesame oil, bbq sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, salt, white granulated sugar, white pepper, black pepper, & a pinch of MSG (optional). Set beef aside and let marinate while prepping other ingredients.
  • In a separate small bowl, add cornstarch to warm water and stir well to remove all lumps. Set aside to be used later.

 

  • On medium heat, drizzle pan or wok with Olive/Vegetable Oil. Then add minced garlic to the oil to cook for about 2 minutes or until fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn or it will taste bitter and crunchy. (I’ve made this mistake once too many times. :/)

 

  • Add the marinated beef to the hot pan or wok. Cook for about 5 minutes or until beef is done to desired wellness. Stir frequently to keep from burning.

 

  • Lower your heat from medium to low and add the cornstarch mixture and the soy sauce to the cooked beef sirloin while stirring frequently. May need more water if the mixture is too thick or starts to burn due to high heat.

 

  • Add all remaining vegetables to your wok: red onions, broccoli, carrots, water chestnuts, pea pods, & baby corn. Stir Fry quickly and make sure everything is well coated with sauce, about 15-30 minutes from the start of heating until ready to serve.

 

  • Serve on a platter with a side of your favorite cooked white or brown rice.

 

  • Optional: garnish with a handful of sliced scallions (green onions) or a few sprigs of cilantro right before serving.

 

  • Enjoy! 😉
- Diana Leave a comment

88 Ways To Celebrate Summer Break With Your Family

 

How Will You Celebrate Summer Break With Your Kids?

Goodbye school, hello summer! 🙂

So school is finally over for our kids this year, and they could not be any happier.

Not that they did not enjoy school, on the contrary, they actually do!

But more so that they have been counting down the days for summer vacation to finally arrive and bid farewell to a job well-done throughout the year.

I could not even bear to bring it up that them that summer does not officially begin until June 21st. But they could care less and I cannot blame them for it.

If I were still a kid, I would probably feel the same way, wouldn’t you? They are just ecstatic to finally be home, relax, and of course-sleep in.

However, that also means less time for this Mommy to get her stuff done while her kiddos are running amok at home! What’s a girl suppose to do?

Make a plan! That’s what we’ll do!

So we sat down together (yep, the kiddos and I) and scribbled down:

1-what sounds good (marshmallows by the fire while watching the stars at night),

2-what we absolutely had to do (summer enrichment homework- ugh! 🙁 ),

3-what we should do instead, (making our own comic strips as inspired by Captain Underpants),

4- and what we can all agree on (making plans to do things together as a family).

We have all agreed that we are really good at this list-making-thing and also spending quality time together doing absolutely anything. 😛

That makes me happy and I am ever-so-grateful for it.

If you would like your very own free PDF copy of our “88 Ways To Celebrate Summer Break With Your Family,” you can download it to your device and print it out for your own use below.

 

 

 

                   88 Ways To Celebrate Summer Break With Your Kids:

A-Random Acts of Kindness:
1-bake & decorate cookies to give away as gifts to neighbors, seniors, friends, family, shelters, etc.
2-donate used toys, games, books, clothes to the homeless, hospitals, library, Goodwill, Church, etc.
3-volunteer at a women’s shelter, children’s hospital, clinic, or animal rescue center
4-host a dinner party or potluck
5-cook dinner for a random family, friends, or elderly neighbors
6-share your bounty with friends, family, or strangers
7-buy a meal for the person in line behind you
8-create a care package for the needy
9-Cook or prepare a meal for your parents
10-Offer to help wash the car, do hard work, fold laundry, sweep the floors, do dishes, or take out trash

 

B-Crafts:
11-make unicorn or glow in the dark slime
12-make friendship bracelets
13-recreate famous Art Masterpieces and display as artwork
14-make paper crafts like origami
15-make felt Crafts like stuffed animals
16-DIY your own fort out of cardboard boxes
17-make your own costume using materials around the house
18-reuse your Halloween costumes & play dress up

 

C-Games:
18-light show outside in the dark with glow in the dark bands, flash lights
19-water balloon fights
20-running through sprinklers & slip n slides
21-pillow fights
22-hopscotch in the driveway with chalk
23-chalk mazes in the driveway
24-chalk art in the driveway
25-laser tag
26-put put mini golf
27-bowling
28-amusement park
29-carnival and fairs
30-festivals and concerts
31-SkyZone trampoline park
32-Dave & buster’s
33-roller skating
34-water park
35-scavenger hunt
36-3 legged race
37-balance an egg
38-Simon says
39-bad Minton/ping pong
40-corn holes
41-soccer
42-volleyball
43-play cards or board games like Uno, Monopoly, Charades, Pictionary, or Clue

 

D-Education:
44-kids science experiments: volcano, tornado,
45-trip to the zoo
46-trip to the library
47-summer reading with Barnes & nobles
48-summer reading with half price books
49-trip to the museums (art, Childrens, history, botanical gardens)
50-trip to the planetarium
51-trip to the aquarium
52-take enrichment classes like coding
53-learn how to paint, draw, or sculpt with clay
54-learn how to play an instrument
55-take voice lessons for singing
56-take dance lessons
57-take a cooking class
58-take a self defense class
59-learn how to sew
60-plant a garden of flowers
61-grow your own produce
62-practice math skills
63-write to a pen pal in another country
64-crossword puzzles
65-sudoku
66-little things digital puzzles for rainy days
67-catch a caterpillar and watch its lifecycle
68-bird watching lifecycle
69-set up a lemonade stand to earn money

 

E-Family Bonding:
70-make a memory scrapbook journal of your summer experience
71-family game night (video games, cards, board games, or trivia)
72-family movie night
73-baseball game
74-go camping
75-go fishing
76-go to the beach
77-go to the pools/splash parks together
78-join a sports team
79-go water skiing, paddle boating, tubing
80-write thank you letters, just-becauses, birthday cards to family & friends
81-kids decide what to do day
82-assign a color uniform day
83-mismatch dress day
84-cook or prep a meal and/or dessert together as a family
85-camp in the backyard (s’mores, hot dogs, & hobo dinners)
86-plan a vacation/staycation together

87-go bike riding in the park together

88-pick a trail and go hiking

 

Disclosure:

The purpose of this blog is to provide insight and enjoyment only. I am not nor do I claim to be an expert or professional in any manner. All opinions are 100% my own. Please do not copy any content from my website without my prior permission or written consent from me. However, you may link directly to my post for reference and to give credit.

 

Disclaimer:

This website contains affiliate links and sponsorships. I do not endorse nor would I recommend any products that I have not used nor trust to my readers. Thank you so much for your continued support in helping our small blog grow- at no costs to you whatsoever.

 

Contact:

Please contact me directly via email:  admin@fulloffortunes.com, if you have any questions and/or comments. Thanks for stopping by!

 

 

 

- Diana Leave a comment

How To Survive This Summer At Home With Your Kids

 

Ah, school is finally out and summer is in full swing at our household.

The weather is hot and the sun is shining.

There are pools to jump into and bikes waiting to be ridden by eager kids.

 

 

Are your kids driving you mad yet? Mine are! Lol

No one has time for schedules and appointments when there are way better things to do!

You know, like eating ice cream and watching movies all day long and even sometimes…

Dare we admit it?

All NIGHT LONG!

Mine were watching (who else) Captain Underpants on repeat for the 47th time!

 

Gretchen Rubin said, “the days are long, but the years are short. ”

 

 

And it’s true, because boy, have they flown by quickly.

Just like that, in the blink of an eye, they are out of diapers and are finally saying

their first words.

Blink again and they are running around the neighborhood with their friends and

can care less about coming home in time for dinner.

They will be grown before we know it.

So let’s all enjoy them and each other while we are all still young at heart.

 

So, now, after about a week or so of this, the boredom monsters start to creep their ugly heads

out and all you hear is:

“Mom! I’m bored! There’s nothing to do!”

 

Me: “What do you mean there’s nothing to do? There are a ton of things you can do. We even made a list of those things to do this summer, remember?

Kids: “Yeah, but we did those things already and now we’re bored.”

 

Does this sound familiar to you too?

If so, I have a solution for that down below, check it out.

 

 

 

 

 

After all, kids need structure and moms and dads still have to work and get things done around the house as well.

Unless we have clones to do it for us, that does not include entertaining our minions 24/7.

So what better way to help them figure out what to do than to decide together how to get them on a summer routine that will work for everyone.

 

Check out this freebie below.

 

I have created a Summer Schedule that is going to help you reign in your babies and bring order back to your household.

There are 2 versions of the Summer Schedule.

One has already been filled in with some of the routines that we have in our own household.

The other version is a blank one that you can fill in whatever works best for your household.

 

 

Some Tips To Help You Get Started:

-After printing out your Summer Schedules, you can slide it inside a page protector.

-You can also laminate it, and use it with a dry erase marker (to change things up per day)

-For instance, you can take it with you on vacation, and change up your routine easily with a swipe of your dry erase marker and keep everyone on task.

-This will give you a sense of order even when things change on a whim.

 

C’est La Vie (such is life)!

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Diana Leave a comment

How To Not Go Insane While Traveling With Your Family

Grab Your Free Travel Check Lists Below!

 

So you’re on your way to your destination. Bag in hand, kids in tow, and hubby is all ready to go.

 

This isn’t your first time traveling with your family. But somehow, someway, it always feels like it.

 

As always, you’re the last one to leave, so you rush out the door like a chicken with its head cut off.

 

But before, you do you make sure to lock all the doors. Grab any last minute items.

 

And of course, call out the door at your family for one last potty break before you finally decide to hit the road.

 

Because you know that inevitably someone’s going to have to go to the bathroom as soon as you pass the only rest area 3 miles down the road where there is no sign of civility anywhere in sight. (Smh)

 

No matter how much you think you’ve prepared ahead of time, it seems as though Murphy and his law is always out to get you. Rearing it’s ugly head at you, despite the fact that you’ve already done this same song and dance routine many times before while traveling with your family.

 

Short of leaving post-it notes everywhere or setting up reminders on your phone, you always seem to forget something…

 

“Arggh! Not again!” you tell yourself.

 

“What’s wrong with me?!”

 

News flash – mom brain continues well after pregnancy and giving birth! If anything, it gets worse! :/

 

At least this is the case for my family and I.

 

So on a recent road trip a couple weeks ago, a light bulb turned on and lifted the clouds from my foggy brain, as of late.

 

I sat down at the hotel desk and wrote down all of the things that we have forgotten from home, right onto the hotel notepad.

 

I also took the opportunity and made a game out of it by asking my very-bored-kids what they would have liked to take with them had they remembered to bring some of their belongings too.

 

And with their help, I wrote down everything that we could think of just to remind myself, not to forget about this for the next time we travel again in a couple weeks.

 

Thus giving rise to these handy dandy Travel Lists, one version for grown-ups and the other version, for kiddos.

 

You can download these Travel Check Lists below for free.

 

These lists will help you and your family to eliminate that,

 

“I can’t put my finger on what it is I am missing,” feeling the next time you are headed out the door with your hubby and kids in tow.

 

Just print one out for each family member, laminate it or put it inside of a sheet protector, and stick it right inside their duffle bag or suitcase so that you are all ready to go at a moment’s notice.

 

Because we all know that backing out of your driveway, driving down the street waving goodbye not once, not twice, but three times to the same neighbor will not win you any brownie points with anyone.

Especially your kids, who have learned to just roll with it and duck down further in their seats out of shame by the second time you’ve waved to the same said neighbor. (gulp)

No, we cannot turn back the hands of time, but we can all certainly benefit from my family’s constant mishaps of humanity and win at life with these free Travel Lists.

 

Enjoy! 🙂