Throw leftovers and some cut up veggies in an omelette/ frittata. Cuts down on food waste and saves money.

17

Family & Home   Finances   Nature, Animals & the Environment  

Practice “going without.” Talk about how nobody gets what they want all the time. We should learn how to just choose to go without something we want. Get them in on the discussion and pick something every day to do without.

5-9

Family & Home   Character, Education & Self-Reliance   Finances  

Work on developing a “no shortcuts” mode. Looking for a faster/easier/bare-minimum option isn’t always bad. People get paid a lot of money for creating efficacy. But there are times when that approach is wrong. Anything you want to grow from (relationships, school, work, wealth, health, knowledge, etc.) those things deserve your full effort, focus and dedication. Play. Definitely play! But don’t f*ck around.

12, 14, 15, 18, 19, 21

Family & Home   Character, Education & Self-Reliance   Sports, Health, Safety & Appearance   Arts, Literature & Self Expression   Science, Technology, Skills & General Knowledge   Fun, Adventure & Travel   Faith & Philosophy   Finances   Emotional Development & Mental Health   Nature, Animals & the Environment   Social Justice, Civics & Humanitarianism   Relationships & Career  

Set up a 529 plan. Virginia has a great plan if you don't want to do too much research https://www.savingforcollege.com/

birth-age 3

Finances  

Change is scary. But scary doesn’t equal bad. I don’t know what it’s going to look like but I know you will figure it out. You’re going to be okay no matter what curveballs you’re faced with. Stay calm. Be kind and respectful to everyone and every thing, including (especially) yourself. xoxo

5, 10, 15, 20, 21

Family & Home   Character, Education & Self-Reliance   Sports, Health, Safety & Appearance   Arts, Literature & Self Expression   Science, Technology, Skills & General Knowledge   Fun, Adventure & Travel   Faith & Philosophy   Finances   Emotional Development & Mental Health   Nature, Animals & the Environment   Social Justice, Civics & Humanitarianism   Relationships & Career  

Make a separate piggie bank together for money to donate. Talk about how we manage what we have thoughtfully: Save some, spend some, donate some.

5-8

Finances  

Have a charity lemonade stand. Pediatric cancer research, immigrant children, etc. Lots of problems...Let them be involved in part of the solution.

7-10

Character, Education & Self-Reliance   Finances   Social Justice, Civics & Humanitarianism  

IMPORTANT: If you borrow money from someone pay it back as soon as possible. In full. If you borrow an item, return it in excellent condition. I’d say if you borrow a car, return it with a full tank of gas but hopefully by the time you’re driving there won’t be any combustible engines. So return it fully charged!

12, 14, 16, 21

Finances  

Be discerning about your sources of information. Some red flags: Too good to be true. Get rich quick. Chosen race. Any race or group blamed for societal problems. Fear of change. Threats of real or metaphysical harm (I.e. $@!#%) or bribes with reward.

12, 14, 16. 18, 21

Family & Home   Character, Education & Self-Reliance   Sports, Health, Safety & Appearance   Arts, Literature & Self Expression   Science, Technology, Skills & General Knowledge   Fun, Adventure & Travel   Faith & Philosophy   Finances   Emotional Development & Mental Health   Nature, Animals & the Environment   Social Justice, Civics & Humanitarianism   Relationships & Career  

Set up a 529 plan. Virginia has a great plan if you don't want to do too much research https://www.savingforcollege.com/

birth-age 3

Finances  

Some people have more money than sense. Just because u can afford something doesn’t mean you should buy it.

15

Finances  

Start a yearly “review” right before school year. Raise allowance as appropriate. If they want more money, they’ll have to take on more responsibilities.

8

Character, Education & Self-Reliance   Finances  

Failed? Lift yourself up, or live there. You know the work you need to do, be it physical, mental, emotional or spiritual, etc. So do it. Do the work. The only bitterness in failure comes from not having the guts to get back up again.

12, 16, 18, 20, 21

Family & Home   Character, Education & Self-Reliance   Sports, Health, Safety & Appearance   Arts, Literature & Self Expression   Science, Technology, Skills & General Knowledge   Fun, Adventure & Travel   Faith & Philosophy   Finances   Emotional Development & Mental Health   Nature, Animals & the Environment   Social Justice, Civics & Humanitarianism   Relationships & Career  

There’s always a temptation to throw money at your problem. But remember there’s nothing you can buy that will make up for what is really needed. And the stuff that accumulates while you try to fix the problem just ends up being a problem on its own.

14, 19

Family & Home   Character, Education & Self-Reliance   Finances   Emotional Development & Mental Health   Relationships & Career  

“Pay yourself first” means save before you spend. You never know when you’ll need to tap into savings, so build it up early and heartily.

18

Finances  

Beware that when you’re first exposed to a new thing: a car, a college tour, house, etc. you will feel AMAZING and totally seduced by the shiny newness. Be cool. Remember that glitters is not gold. Things don’t need to be perfect and even if the house is it doesn’t mean life will be.

15, 18, 21

Character, Education & Self-Reliance   Finances  

You remember experiences, connections. Not stuff. Don’t get too caught up in stuff.

12, 15, 17, 21

Finances  

Buy life insurance when you're young.

21

Finances  

May you make yourself proud every day. That’s my wish for you. (I will always be proud of you.) xoxo

9, 14, 21

Sports, Health, Safety & Appearance   Arts, Literature & Self Expression   Science, Technology, Skills & General Knowledge   Fun, Adventure & Travel   Faith & Philosophy   Finances   Nature, Animals & the Environment   Social Justice, Civics & Humanitarianism   Relationships & Career  

Learning to keep your composure and maintain a respectful tone when you’re frustrated/angry/afraid/upset, etc. is a skill. PRACTICE it.

4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21

Character, Education & Self-Reliance   Sports, Health, Safety & Appearance   Faith & Philosophy   Finances   Emotional Development & Mental Health   Nature, Animals & the Environment   Social Justice, Civics & Humanitarianism   Relationships & Career  

“The most important thing in any relationship is not what you get, it’s what you give.” -Eleanor Roosevelt

10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 21

Family & Home   Character, Education & Self-Reliance   Sports, Health, Safety & Appearance   Arts, Literature & Self Expression   Science, Technology, Skills & General Knowledge   Fun, Adventure & Travel   Faith & Philosophy   Finances   Emotional Development & Mental Health   Nature, Animals & the Environment   Social Justice, Civics & Humanitarianism   Relationships & Career  

Don’t have a clue? (Relationships / career / character, etc.) The solutions can be found in books. READ! Novels, biographies, history, religion, humor, politics, finance, sports, and whatever sparks your interests at the moment!) You’ll learn about the world, and you’ll learn about yourself. READ!!!! (or listen!)

12, 15, 18, 20

Family & Home   Character, Education & Self-Reliance   Arts, Literature & Self Expression   Faith & Philosophy   Finances   Relationships & Career  

“You don’t get what you deserve. You get what you negotiate.” - name escapes me

15, 19, 21

Finances   Relationships & Career  

Start “home economics” school with them. Laundry, cleaning, cooking, how to change a diaper, comfort a baby, soothe a toddler, what's involved in caring for pets, budgeting for food, keeping track of maintenance schedules for humans, pets, cars and machines. Engage with guests, be a good host, etc. Know when and how to tell someone to GTFO of the house (racist or misogynistic speech, etc.) Every kid needs to learn the art and science of home management. Look for and point out examples in books and movies of good home science skills.

5, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21

Family & Home   Character, Education & Self-Reliance   Sports, Health, Safety & Appearance   Arts, Literature & Self Expression   Science, Technology, Skills & General Knowledge   Fun, Adventure & Travel   Faith & Philosophy   Finances   Nature, Animals & the Environment   Social Justice, Civics & Humanitarianism   Relationships & Career  

Start saving for retirement with your very first paycheck. Put away the MAX, you’ll never miss it. If the company doesn’t offer 401k then we’ll open a Roth IRA.

18

Finances  

The more books you read, the better. Carve out time without screens and read every day.

8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 21

Family & Home   Character, Education & Self-Reliance   Arts, Literature & Self Expression   Fun, Adventure & Travel   Faith & Philosophy   Finances   Emotional Development & Mental Health   Nature, Animals & the Environment   Social Justice, Civics & Humanitarianism   Relationships & Career  

There is a cost and a duty to everything we own. Rachel Maddow

16

Family & Home   Finances  

Sponsor a child in a developing country. Write letters, learn about their country and their life.

8

Faith & Philosophy   Finances   Social Justice, Civics & Humanitarianism  

***Manners!! *** Etiquette is the secret sauce. Everyone appreciates being treated with respect. Etiquette is the art and science of respecting others. It’s timeless and universal. Customs change, hence the need for constant study, but respect is always the foundation. In summary: Be nice. Start with yourself. Study etiquette. It will help you in every single interaction you have, social, professional, financial, everything. Manners apply to every human, in every interaction, even on the hard days. Hence, the need for practice.

3, 5, 7, 10, 11, 15, 17, 19, 21

Family & Home   Character, Education & Self-Reliance   Sports, Health, Safety & Appearance   Arts, Literature & Self Expression   Science, Technology, Skills & General Knowledge   Fun, Adventure & Travel   Faith & Philosophy   Finances   Emotional Development & Mental Health   Nature, Animals & the Environment   Social Justice, Civics & Humanitarianism   Relationships & Career  

Read biographies!

12. 14, 17. 19, 21

Family & Home   Character, Education & Self-Reliance   Sports, Health, Safety & Appearance   Arts, Literature & Self Expression   Science, Technology, Skills & General Knowledge   Fun, Adventure & Travel   Faith & Philosophy   Finances   Emotional Development & Mental Health   Nature, Animals & the Environment   Social Justice, Civics & Humanitarianism   Relationships & Career