All posts by Nichole

Family matters

If Sixlets were currency, I'd be in business

The Parent Bloggers Network and Capital One want to know: When is the best time to teach your kids about money? And just how do you do it?

My short answer? I haven’t a clue.

The long answer is that I don’t remember my parents talking to me about money or financial management when I was a kid. We all got an allowance at my dad’s house in the summer. My stepsister and I were in charge of the dishes every night, and we were paid $5 a week for it. On payday, we gleefully rode our bikes to a nearby convenience store and blew it all on candy. I always bought Sixlets. Which might not have been a sound investment, but they were mighty tasty.

I know that I want Poppy and Pete to be wise about their finances when they’re adults, but I’m not sure of a strategy for that. I think maybe we’ll enforce some sort of percentage rule, once they’re old enough for an allowance. Something like, 25% to savings, 25% to charity and 50% to Mommy’s Sixlets fund whatever they’d like.

Speaking of when they’re old enough for an allowance, when is that?

I’ve done a pretty poor job of answering PBN and Capital One’s question. Capital One has a new Web site called Moneywi$e eLearning, though, that might do a better job.

(Disclaimer: I tell you this because I want to win an iPhone.)

Prayer

Prayers for friends in Texas

In addition to whatever prayers you’re saying about Hurricane Ike, I’d appreciate it if you’d add a few people to your list.

  • From what I hear, Kate and I would be great pals in real life if she and her husband hadn’t left Missouri about the time we arrived. Instead, we’ve had to make do with an internet friendship. Kate and her family live on the Texas coast. She was supposed to have a baby today. Instead, she and her family have packed up and headed inland.
  • My former co-worker Gerry is a very talented photojournalist. This isn’t working in his favor this week, though; the paper he works for is sending him to Houston to cover the hurricane.
    • Screen time, Social Media

    Friday links! Making me laugh and cry

  • Have you seen the Rickroll thing? It never fails to make me laugh. And when it “evolved” into the BarackRoll? Priceless. Oh, but it gets better! Click over to watch as John McCain gets BarackRoll’d.
  • On a more serious note, Mary at Owlhaven has pledged to spend only $200 at the grocery store this month. That might not sound all that difficult. Until you learn that Mary has 10 kids. I’m going to stay tuned in over there to find out just how she does it.
  • Rockford pointed out a story this week at MSNBC, and I’m not sure if it’s terrifying or hilarious. I think it may be a little of both. Here’s a little taste of what I’m talking about:

    … the real headline-grabber is the claim that the world’s most powerful particle-smasher could create microscopic black holes that some fear would gobble up the planet.

    Read more at Boon or doom? Collider stirs debate.

  • Here’s a little life-skills test for you: Dog or Wizard.
  • The Tomato Nation posts about the author’s 9/11 “disaster buddy” always make me cry. This year’s post, Angels in America was no exception.
  • Also making me cry this week: My friends’ baby is celebrating his first birthday today. Just so the sun don’t hurt you when you cry made me a little teary-eyed because I haven’t gotten to hug the little guy yet. I’m sure he gives great hugs. Happy birthday, Z!