Blog Award

Scather over at Scathing Weekly has nominated me for the "One lovely blog" Award. Thanks Scather! (and my apologies for being a little late in accepting it - it has been intensely crazy recently). You can view her blog here: http://scathingweekly.blogspot.com/

The requirements of accepting this award are as follows:-

1. Link back to the blogger who gave you the award.


2. I have to tell you seven facts about me you may not know.


3. Pass the award along to as many as fifteen blogs you have found recently.


4. Notify the bloggers of their awards.

So... seven things about me you may not know:-

1. I really don't like the taste of black jelly beans.
2. I can't knit to save my life, and not for lack of trying.
3. I have been a violinist since the age of 8.
4. According to me there are only two foodgroups; Cadbury and Darrell Lea ;D
5. Volcanology fascinates me!
6. I have a phobia of driving a car (yet am very brave, and attempt it on occasions).
7. Went to a Performing Arts High School and apart from the first two years (nasty!), had an absolute ball there :D

Some blogs I have found recently (in no particular order):

• http://felicitysbitsandpieces.blogspot.com/
• http://juniorbabyblog.blogspot.com/
• http://beehivemessages.blogspot.com/

Now to notify them :D

Kids, Pocket Money and Money Jars

Bit of a different post this one. A while ago I was watching Gail Vaz-Oxlade of 'Til Debt Do Us Part' on tv. Something that stood out to me was that kids should not be given pocket money for doing chores around the home. They're part of the family, they SHOULD help! Pocket money will help them in the long run by teaching them how to look after it, how to manage it and to save.

Gail's biggest tip was to give each child a dollar per year. I.e. my son is 10, so he gets $10. My daughter is currently 6, so she gets $6.

They each got a jar, decorated it and put their names on them. It is where their money gets stored each week. I put their pocket money aside each week, and they have an 'interview' with Dad, who gives them about 10-15 mins each to see how they're going at school, if they're making wise choices, and just to generally chat about things they're happy about, or concerned about. They love this special time with him, and look forward to it each week.

My children firstly pay 10% tithing (to our church), and they do so willingly. They know what happens to it, and don't have a problem with it. The rest is theirs to do as they like. They put some in their bank accounts, and they save some to buy things they want. I think it's important to teach them to prioritise. Saving comes before spending (I'm still figuring that out, but at least they're being taught it!!!)

My son recently saved up for 6 months to purchase a Nerf gun. He has some Nerf guns already, but he had his heart set on this big one. I bought it when it was 20% off, and he had to pay me the money before he could have it. If I REALLY wanted to teach him a lesson in real life, I could have charged him interest, but I think I'll leave that to a later date.

My daughter wanted a Barbie DVD, so I bought it and as soon as we got home she raced to her money jar to hand over her hard-saved cash. She had saved in advance to be able to do it though, she just didn't take her money to the shop (she loses it - we're working on that too).

They don't usually purchase things like this though. Generally they only use their money to purchase books via Book Club at school. It is a good way of teaching them to save, and to wait for purchases.

Week 12 of the 2011 Food Storage Challenge

This week is another easy week. More soup.

$10 challenge
Store 3 cans soup

$20 challenge
Store 4 cans soup

You could choose to store double the number of cans and get ready made soup, or condensed soup. The choice is up to you. Ready made up soup requires no extra water, and you could eat it cold if you really had to (depending on what kind of soup you get). Condensed soup cold and made up is just nasty!!!

Now's here's a tricky question for you. What do you store if you don't like soup?