As shows such as MTV's "My Super Sweet 16" showcase the growing trend of over-the-top and extravagant parties for children and teens, it becomes increasingly difficult to remember the days of simple gatherings where Pin the Tail on the Donkey and Musical Chairs were considered prime entertainment. Kids and parents alike seem to be expecting more and more when it comes to celebrations these days, but sometimes the simple and classic approach dazzles guests just as much as expensive favors and amusement. Planning a children's party should be a fun collaboration that focuses on celebrating between friends rather than showing off to neighbors with fancy venues and excessive decorations.
While brainstorming kids birthday party ideas, for example, there are many factors to consider regarding the number of guests, themes, refreshments and favors, so keeping things simple is essential for the busy parent-not to mention less of a strain on the wallet.
When considering uncomplicated and inexpensive party favors, it is easy to get tempted by cheap and useless trinkets that hold no sentimental value and will most likely get thrown out the moment festivities end. Filling goodie bags with candy or junk food can also be risky since some parents may disapprove of these treats.
Easy kids craft ideas for children to take home are an excellent alternative to traditional favors, and they also double as an entertaining activity for the party. Do-it-yourself crafting often becomes messy and chaotic with gatherings hosting young children and large numbers, but there are ways around the mess and difficulty that is typically associated with crafting.
One company called Colortime Crafts & Markers offers inexpensive custom tee shirts, pillowcases, tote bags, backpacks and bandanas with different designs for kids to color how they like. Graphics on each of these products include fun images and slogans such as "Girls Rock," "Circle of Friends," and "Allstar." Designs are also catered towards holiday celebrations and even Girl Scout activities.
The permanent, non-toxic and chlorine resistant fabric markers come in a variety of sixteen colors and can be used for up to five to six full tee shirts each. All products can be purchased online, and discounts and customization options are given for wholesale orders.
Although simple, easy craft ideas like this provide just enough personalization for children and teens of all ages to treasure and keep as a souvenir of the party. Preparation requires virtually no setup, and these projects are much less daunting for parents than the conventional art activities involving wet paint and sticky glue.
This simple craft idea can be recycled for many different occasions such as slumber party planning. When thinking of fun things to do at sleepovers, children usually get sucked into the television or video games. Crafts are a great way to get those creative juices flowing again, and are a perfect and refreshing reminder of just how easy it is to have fun without having to turn to the latest high-tech or overly expensive entertainment options.
Jumat, 22 September 2017
Sabtu, 09 September 2017
The Importance of Teaching Kids Financial Literacy As Early As Possible
There are some alarming trends happening in America today:
According to Bankrate.com, one in four Americans has more credit card debt than emergency savings and that number is going up. And according to Time.com, more than half of Americans have no emergency savings at all. Sadly, it seems like more and more people are using their credit cards as their emergency savings.
The average age to get a first credit card is now only 20.8 years and steadily dropping. Isn't this trend teaching our youth to expect instant gratification and to buy things right away even when they don't have the money? I feel that it also teaches procrastination and the "Don't worry I can pay for it later" type of mentality.
According to CNNMoney.com, the average American household with at least one credit card has nearly $15,950 in credit card debt! Do you think that number is going up or going down?
Conventional wisdom used to be that it was necessary to put at least 10% of your money away for retirement. Just a couple of years ago I heard that it needed to be closer to 15%, if you really wanted to retire, much less, be living well in retirement. However, I just read an article that suggests that after taking into account increasing lifespans, decreasing employment benefit plans (pensions and employer matching programs) as well as the potential for changes in social security, that elusive rate actually needs to be even higher - try 20%! It seems that as the years go on, that number is only going to get higher and higher. As a matter of fact some experts are even saying that in theory, you really need to start saving for retirement when you are 10 years old! Good luck trying to get a 10 year old to start saving for retirement.
So, in a nutshell debt is going up while savings is going down, and it looks like it is only getting worse.
How can we reverse this trend for our children?
There is no easy solution, but in order for us to reverse these trends it is imperative for us as responsible adults to
Learn as much as we can about how money works and to start the process of getting our own finances under control.
Become good financial stewards and good examples to our kids. Remember kids do not do what we say, they do what we do.
Pass this knowledge on to our kids through the many daily "teaching moments" and by reinforcing any good financial habits. Repetition is key!
Along with reading my weekly posts, I'd like to recommend to you an additional resource that has been very instrumental in helping me to reverse some of the bad financial trends that were happening in my own family.
Nancy Phillips is the creator of Zela Wela Kids and has a mission to help increase the financial and life success skills of our youth globally. Nancy's Zela Wela Kids series of childrens books teach kids many very important financial as well as life lessons in the form of stories. For instance, one story teaches the importance of dividing money into different meaningful categories like Giving, Investing, Saving and Spending, so that all of it does not get spent at once - an important habit to take to adulthood. Another story teaches the difference between needs and wants and how a wish list for a child can translate into a dreams and goals list as they grow older. And, yet another story teaches kids how becoming more entrepreneurial can be fun. How important is that in this economy? Nancy also has an audio series that helps adults teach kids about critical financial skills from as young as two all the way up to their teen years in an age-appropriate manner.
According to Bankrate.com, one in four Americans has more credit card debt than emergency savings and that number is going up. And according to Time.com, more than half of Americans have no emergency savings at all. Sadly, it seems like more and more people are using their credit cards as their emergency savings.
The average age to get a first credit card is now only 20.8 years and steadily dropping. Isn't this trend teaching our youth to expect instant gratification and to buy things right away even when they don't have the money? I feel that it also teaches procrastination and the "Don't worry I can pay for it later" type of mentality.
According to CNNMoney.com, the average American household with at least one credit card has nearly $15,950 in credit card debt! Do you think that number is going up or going down?
Conventional wisdom used to be that it was necessary to put at least 10% of your money away for retirement. Just a couple of years ago I heard that it needed to be closer to 15%, if you really wanted to retire, much less, be living well in retirement. However, I just read an article that suggests that after taking into account increasing lifespans, decreasing employment benefit plans (pensions and employer matching programs) as well as the potential for changes in social security, that elusive rate actually needs to be even higher - try 20%! It seems that as the years go on, that number is only going to get higher and higher. As a matter of fact some experts are even saying that in theory, you really need to start saving for retirement when you are 10 years old! Good luck trying to get a 10 year old to start saving for retirement.
So, in a nutshell debt is going up while savings is going down, and it looks like it is only getting worse.
How can we reverse this trend for our children?
There is no easy solution, but in order for us to reverse these trends it is imperative for us as responsible adults to
Learn as much as we can about how money works and to start the process of getting our own finances under control.
Become good financial stewards and good examples to our kids. Remember kids do not do what we say, they do what we do.
Pass this knowledge on to our kids through the many daily "teaching moments" and by reinforcing any good financial habits. Repetition is key!
Along with reading my weekly posts, I'd like to recommend to you an additional resource that has been very instrumental in helping me to reverse some of the bad financial trends that were happening in my own family.
Nancy Phillips is the creator of Zela Wela Kids and has a mission to help increase the financial and life success skills of our youth globally. Nancy's Zela Wela Kids series of childrens books teach kids many very important financial as well as life lessons in the form of stories. For instance, one story teaches the importance of dividing money into different meaningful categories like Giving, Investing, Saving and Spending, so that all of it does not get spent at once - an important habit to take to adulthood. Another story teaches the difference between needs and wants and how a wish list for a child can translate into a dreams and goals list as they grow older. And, yet another story teaches kids how becoming more entrepreneurial can be fun. How important is that in this economy? Nancy also has an audio series that helps adults teach kids about critical financial skills from as young as two all the way up to their teen years in an age-appropriate manner.
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