GO2WORK

Just when I feel like I have done a good job in teaching my children about money and finances, I learned there is more I can do to teach them. I was reminded of the value of getting my education and how having an education increases our knowledge and understanding of money and creates an opportunity to make the money needed to support a large family. A budget is essential and should be used with our children, also. Learning how to budget creates freedom from the bondage of debt and helps distinguish wants and needs.

Children should learn the value of work and money at a young age to prepare them for success in marriage and family. They gain confidence in their own abilities. We give our children chores, they earn rewards, which can be exchanged in time, money, or treats and they choose how to spend. We also provide opportunities for our children to earn money through breeding/ranching, egg production, and other ways.

We strongly believe in work before play. Families working together is so necessary to strengthening relationships in the home and teaching children about sacrifice and hard work. Our family motto is: GO2WORK. We adopted this several years ago when we were struggling on many different levels and desired to change the focus from ourselves, choosing to help someone else. In the process, we were helping ourselves through this work and building stronger relations with each other. There is something to be said about laboring alongside each other, bearing one another’s burdens.

Family finances can largely affect a family and put undue stress on marital relations. Having a difference in spending habits can further be detrimental to marriages and families. If there is one common ground to be reached by all family members, it should be the 10-10-80 Rule. Members should be encouraged to give 10% to the Lord, 10% to themselves (in savings) and spend the other 80% on needs and some wants. If one person does not adhere to that principle, many unnecessary strains are added to the family.

Work is an essential element about teaching our children about finances. Teaching children about money and budgeting at a young age helps them be more successful in their future, as individuals and in families. It is important to hold family councils regarding finances, as well. While out shopping, we can remind them of the budget. You can either be in bondage to a budget or bondage to debt. Budgeting makes you FREE! As a parent, I must teach my children the importance of work at a young age and then just do it…GO2WORK!