Family Matters Newsletter - October 2009

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When Budgets Get Tight Families Can Pull Together

By: Sheila Gains, Arapahoe County Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent

When financial times are tough it‘s time to build a team of family members who have a common goal and concrete actions they can accomplish. In the process of reducing family spending as a team, the side effects can be positive and long lasting, such as increased family bonding, open communications, sense of pride and accomplishment, as well as enjoying spending more quality time together.

“I want this, or I want that”, seems like a daily statement made by kids. And it’s really no surprise considering that they se and hear so many advertisements on TV, radio, etc. designed to get them to spend money. Parents can help children be less influenced by advertisements by explaining that the goal of marketing is to make you want or feel like you need the item advertised. With open communication about the family’s current financial goals, kids can begin to see how they can make better choices on what they buy and or ask for and how they can contribute to the family’s financial health.

Ask kids to help you decide how to reduce spending by a specific dollar amount each month for the next two to three months. Let them choose from a list of possibilities and or have them help brainstorm the list of ides. You might be amazed and surprised at the creative ideas they come up with.

Children can also brainstorm ways to make more money. Older children might volunteer to get a part time job or work around the house doing chores you may have been paying someone else to do, such as lawn care, snow shoveling, cleaning or childcare etc. Younger children may want to help you have a garage sale and donate a few toys they have outgrown. If your family situation means that someone will now be working or working more hours for a while, kids can brainstorm how they can make this change positive. For example kids can volunteer to help get things done around the house. Look at the positive talents and contributions of all family members no matter how small such as “I will not ask you to buy me any candy or gum for the next two months.” Or “I can get dinner started before you get home from work.”

Suggestions that might work for your family:

  • Spend family time together doing low cost or no cost activities that all family members can enjoy. Examples: movie night featuring a movie borrowed from the library and homemade snacks or an evening of board games.
  • Unplug chargers and turn off light, television, radio etc when not in use.
  • Limit texting and long distance calls.
  • Take shorter showers and towel vs. blow dry hair.
  • Hang clothes up after wearing they don’t need to be washed as often and last longer.
  • Hang up towels after use so they can dry and be used again.
  • Use less shampoo and toothpaste, only enough to clean hair or teeth.
  • Agree to use store brand products if cheaper and similar quality.
  • Make and take snacks instead of purchasing them from a vending machine or fast food restaurant.
  • Cook more meals at home.
  • Plan weekly menus featuring foods you already have on hand.

Board games with a money theme include: Pay Day, Allowance Game, Budget Game, Monopoly, Monopoly Jr., Flea Market Game, Grocery Store Game, Money Wise Kids, The Game of Life, Takeover, Spree, Bargain Hunter, Decisions, Easy Money, Money Matters, Filthy Rich, Mall Madness, Money!, Easy Money, Acquire, and Charge It.

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A Low Cost, Portable and Easy to Make Snack

Power Bites
Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup applesauce
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 3/4 cup grated carrots
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 cup oats (quick or old fashioned)
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans, optional
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup raisins

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and lightly coat 9x9-inch pan with cooking spray.
  • In a large bowl, combine brown sugar, applesauce, egg, vanilla and carrots.
  • Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
  • Pour mixture into prepared pan.
  • Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown around edges. Let cool and cut into bars.
  • This recipe makes 18 bars about 3x2 inches each.

For more information about this recipe and other fun recipes: visit www.kidsacookin.ksu.edu

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