Teaching frugality to the next Gen

**Homekeepn** · 05-30-2006, 07:23 AM

Ladies, I could use some advice and ideas. I strongly believe that the next generation is not getting the proper training in frugality. I am sure there are exceptions out there, but for the most part I believe kids today think money really does grow on trees.

My idea is to invite friends of my DD (12) over once a week, almost every week throughout the summer. I would like to teach them cooking from scratch, budgeting and organizing.

I have had these girls over many times for craft days, so we are very familar with each other.

If I can get the girls interested in this project, I would like to post our results.
Do you have any ideas?

**ironmaiden** · 05-30-2006, 07:43 AM

Never use the word frugal. Kids don't want to be frugal - it smacks of connotations of "cheap" and "sacrifice". Two words that this generation - unless we run into a depression or a war that calls for sacrafice among people not directly involved (the families of those serving), they will not learn it. It is a totally uncool word.

However, having said that you can teach them to cook, how to use a checkbook, sewing, knitting, creativity without ever qualifying those lessons with that word. You can teach them that money is a finite object - doesn't grow on trees - and that since it is finite that they have to make choices.
A month of vending machine snacks vs. new clothes.
Learning about money is cool.
Create a game (a cross between monopoly and life) where they pick a career out of a hat complete with GROSS salary. Then let them pick out apartments (use the newspaper) and a car.
Then give them the whammy - the NET pay, utilities, student loans for the careers with college degrees, auto insurance, groceries. Gee, that didn't work out. Let's rethink and start again. Then you can have life cards - "baby born" (baby expenses), laid off from job for 6 months, getting married, hurt back can't work (short term disability) etc. Gee, everytime you pass GO you get that month's salary

**Homekeepn** · 05-30-2006, 08:22 AM

Great ideas. Love the game. I think getting kids involved like "real life" would be fun for them.

As far as the term "frugal" I complete understand what you mean. Around here it is like the "F" word. Especially for my DH. URG!

These girls are all about new clothes and cool sneckers. They think nothing about asking for $65.00 for new shoes. Or $25.00 for 2 paper thin T-shirts.

Thanks Ironmaiden for your great ideas.

**Lorelei** · 05-30-2006, 09:18 AM

I agree with Ironmaiden - don't use the word frugal. However, if you teach them skills, they'll have those for life. I talk to my kids a lot about choices. While I don't do it daily, I do sometimes point out things like "this meal cost us $3 total, but we could have spent at least $45 at a restaurant" or "We could have bought canned beans for $3 but the dried ones only cost 50 cents".

I'd suggest keeping things simple at least at first. Let them see how easy it is to make a batch of cookies or sew up a simple shell top. Of course, the fact that you point out the difference in cost for their more delicious cookies & custom-made tops is just bonus.

**Homekeepn** · 05-30-2006, 03:12 PM

I diffently agree about the terminology. I can just see the rolling of the eyes now. Just say words like budget, thrifty or frugal around my family and they all run away like I have the plague. I know alot about being frugal, I just can't find a way for my family to jump on the bandwagon.

I am a SAHM because of health reasons and I also HS my DS. My DH goes through money like it is water. No matter how much I try to reason with him about scaling back, he doesn't want to hear it.

We are very behind financially because I can no longer work. It can be very frustrating. So my goal is to try and train the next generation to learn to be wise about money.

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 05-30-2006, 03:40 PM

We are doing a scrapebook/family cookbook as a summer craft project here. DD Charlotte and neice Crystal(who's spending the summer with us) agreed that they both would like to do this project. Both have made up a list of food items that they would like to make. So we'll have a cooking lesson, take photos and make up a page in our family cookbook as we go along. Plus we are going to take some old family food type photos and copy them over into the book. Some of the things they want to learn to make include: Pies from scratch the whole way, Cookies, A roast with all the trimmings, stuff for a party, Grandmas spagetti sauce, Meatballs that go Klunk (a family favorite).
Figure I'll work the grocery shopping, meal planning and budgeting in as we go along. Should be an intresting summer here as Nieces home life is totally different from ours. We eat at the table they have fend for yourself everynight. A very disfuctional family. Also have hoilday ornaments on the craft list and thank you note writing.

LAurie in Bradenton

**Cele** · 05-30-2006, 03:49 PM

I'm going to play devil's advocate.

While I think your goal is worthy, I'm more concerned about 12 year old girls being shunted away from math and science education, or in general not having the level of education they will need (eventually) in the workplace.

I also don't like the idea that only girls should be learning life skills. Can you include some boys too? It's worthy education for all young people, and I think we should do what we can to reduce gender stereotypes. I worry about creating limitations on what girls can expect to acheive.

Again, I like your idea...I'd just change the execution a bit by adding boys and emphasizing math and science elements of the "curriculum".

**Homekeepn** · 05-30-2006, 08:11 PM

While I see where you are coming from, I am not concerned so much with their math and science. These same girls have been exposed to idea that girls need extra math and science just to compete with boys. They attended a conference at one of our state universities on that very subject just recently.

I see that they lack is basic life skills. I am not trying to be gender biased, that is just what I would like to do this with my daughter while she is home during the summer.

My son has been homeschooled since January. He has a general knowledge of cooking and home maintance. One area that he does need extra help in is math.

**ironmaiden** · 05-30-2006, 08:33 PM

My son as well as my daughter will learn how to cook - this kid loves food so much I can't see him not wanting to

Plus they have a good role model at home as both parents cook depending on who feels like it and who has time.
They'll both get lessons on money.

My husband is an engineer and has a PhD and my BS is in computer science with a minor in math.
So the dumbing down of girls kills me.

The issue was teaching life skills. And in life, you are much better off knowing how to cook, budget and money skills. The sewing and knitting are optional - I just like them.

I truly hate toys out there for girls past toddler age. It's all about looking pretty and fashion design. The toy companies do not market toys that use the girl's minds. My DS-6 does legos and transformers - if you don't think transformers uses your brain and spatial skills, I dare you to try them - most adults can't figure them out. Legos have dumbed down version for girls - jewelery and such. They do not sell legos in girl colors - any pleasant palette that would appeal to girls. I guess they did at one time and stopped.

Anyhow, at the ages of 6 and 3, our summer will consists of a project a day. I have books (since I'm not creative) on craft and science projects. I'll come up with an idea the night before and we'll do it the next day. Plus each day we'll learn a new Korean word and get DS-6 to start learning and writing his Korean letters. Our kids are adopted from Korea. Plus DD who will be 4 in August will start letter and number recognition. DS will practice reading, spelling, addition, and writing letters and numbers - by the way, this is what they learned this past year in public 1/2 day kindergarten. So I'm reinforcing. And not all of those academics on the same day. And of course there is our pool and playdates, summer soccer and adventures (day trips - the beach (45 minutes away - summer pass for $30), zoo, playgrounds, aquarium etc.). I figure the money I saved by not sending him to camp, I can spend on adventures.

**Lmullin** · 05-30-2006, 08:46 PM

Iron maiden, I was well into my 30's before I realized money was a finite item. I honestly don't think I understood that since I always relied on credit cards. You are right that this is a concept that kids must learn early in order to suceed!

**peanut** · 05-31-2006, 12:39 PM

I think adding being organized and time management to that list of things to do would be helpful. Maybe sit your dd down at the beginning of summer and ask her what she wants to do. Help her decide when would be appropriate times to do things and what needs to be done to accomplish her goals. Walk her through what is required of each goal and brainstorm how she could accomplish things. Provide logical consequences to her possible choices, but let her make the end decision.

You could require she help you clean 'x' before she can do fun things too. Though that may make 'x' feel like a bit of a chore. But using Flylady's method of beating the timer really helps with that age group.

Cooking can be a lot of fun at that age, especially if you let them pick the recipes. My girls loved desserts, so they learned to make cookies, cakes, etc. My oldest liked salads, so we had her learn to make some basic salads and salad dressings too.

HTH Have fun!

Jean

**Homekeepn** · 05-31-2006, 03:03 PM

Peanut - I like your idea of using some of Flylady's teaching. Organizing and time management are just as important to me to teach them as well. I would like to use the TWG as a sort of text book, mostly just for reference.

I remember when I was my DD age I started collecting favorite family recipes. I would like to start that with my DD. I love the idea of making a recipe scrapbook. That would make great memories.

I really appreicate all the advice.