frugal 5 year old?

**Russ** · 03-01-2010, 09:09 AM

My brother is having some financial difficulties and asked me to help him and his family.

I gave them the usual speech about CC's, debt and such and then I spoke about how to cut expenses. Turn down the heat, shut off lights, unplug things etc etc etc.

Yesterday I got an email from my brother about how excited his wife was that they cut a whopping $40 off of their electric bill.

So I called him this morning saying how great it is and to keep it up the good work and he told me this story...

Madison, their 5 y/o who is very outgoing and tells it like it is, has been watching and listening to her Mom shutting off lights and such to save on the bills. Well her Mom was using the bathroom and Madison shut off the light. When asked why she did that she said it uses electricity so I shut it off.

Later, Madison was just sitting on the couch and when questioned why she wasn't watching TV.. again the response was "it uses electricity".

Can a 5 y/o little girl be frugal? Maybe. Too cute? Definitely!

Just thought I'd share.

**Samigirl** · 03-01-2010, 09:14 AM

That is so cute! Maybe she'll help keep everyone accountable.

**jlaporte** · 03-01-2010, 09:15 AM

That is so cute! Just goes to show ya kids are ALWAYS listening!!! BTW 40 bucks is nothing to shake a stick at thats really good.

**Libby** · 03-01-2010, 10:19 AM

That's very cute...now when she learns she can have the electricity on while she's there - will that change?

Kids are remarkable.

**McD** · 03-01-2010, 10:37 AM

That's awesome! Wesley is big helper of turning off lights and when we asked him why he said, "Cuz you and daddy are really busy, so I decided that's my job."

They are making baby steps!!

**MomToTwoBoys** · 03-01-2010, 10:40 AM

Russ, that's just too adorable! Your brother could use a lesson learned from her. It's cute.

**Rebookie** · 03-01-2010, 10:57 AM

Cute!!! I love it.

**ladytoysdream** · 03-01-2010, 11:09 AM

Smart child

Wonder how she would do with planning their budget.......

**rudypoo98** · 03-01-2010, 12:35 PM

My 5 yr.old grandaughter does the same thing at home from being around me.Her mom goes to the kitchen to get something she shuts the TV off ,says you weren't watching it.Shuts lights off at night on everyone when they leave the room but are comming right back.They said can tell she's been around me.

**Ceashels** · 03-01-2010, 02:05 PM

Too cute! You are changing an extended family's tree.

**shoiji** · 03-01-2010, 02:24 PM

That is pretty histerical.

**frugalfoster** · 03-01-2010, 03:04 PM

That's a great story....teach them early.....oh how I wish I could raise them all over again...I would do things differently!!!

**Debbie-cat** · 03-01-2010, 03:09 PM

I think it is great and should be encouraged!

**NikoSan999** · 03-01-2010, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by frugalfoster

That's a great story....teach them early.....oh how I wish I could raise them all over again...I would do things differently!!!

Ain't that the truth!

That's great and hopefully she'll continue thru adulthood. The student becomes the teacher.

And she had to have learned it from you. You passed on something good to carry her thru life. Be proud.