“Consistency feels boring until you witness what it creates.” True for parenting and true for growing.

1, 2, 3, 4, 12, 14, 16, 21

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  

Start saving money early. Save as much as you can. There are plenty of things worth spending your money on, but be mindful about your money - Don’t p*ss it away.

15, 20

Finances  

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  

If you can’t afford to tip the server, you can’t afford to be there.

15

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  

Want a good life? Treat people well. (Including yourself). Be kind and respectful.

11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 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  

Surround yourself with people who are genuinely trying to make the world a better place. You’ll be in good company.

12, 14, 16, 19. 21

Family & Home   Character, Education & Self-Reliance   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  

You can change your approach without changing your vision. Stay flexible. Things rarely go how we expect them to.

15, 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  

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  

A man is not a financial plan.

17

Finances   Relationships & Career  

Make a pound of ground beef go further by adding chopped cabbage or mushrooms.

19

Family & Home   Finances  

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  

Get at least 2, preferably 3 estimates on any major expenses for home or car.

21

Family & Home   Finances  

Check out from the library or Amazon: “My First Money Book: A Guide for Parents and Children to Saving, Spending, Sharing, and Investing Your Money” by Reggie Nelson

8

Finances  

Check out the Jesuit Volunteer Corp. A short but deeply meaningful immersion into service, faith in action, selflessness and living on a lot less than you think you need.

19

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

Let the best part of yourself take the lead when you’re making decisions.

10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21

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

Create.

10, 14, 17, 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  

Sesame Street has great resources on teaching finances to little ones.

4-5

Finances  

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  

Paying extra for organic isn’t always worth it but I ALWAYS buy organic apples. They taste better and don’t have the pesticides, etc.

18

Family & Home   Sports, Health, Safety & Appearance   Finances  

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

16

Family & Home   Finances  

Consider the costs of inaction.

12, 15, 18, 21

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

Open a Bank Account

8-12

Finances  

It’s fine, great, to be thrifty. But please don’t be cheap. Hard-earned money should neither be squandered or hoarded. Enjoy your success! But save more than you’re comfortable with. It’s like my running coach used to say: Keep going until you feel like you’re gonna poop your pants, then push yourself to do another mile. Point is, it should hurt a little.

16, 21

Finances  

Let’s talk about how we can bless people - with what we have and by how we act.

7

Character, Education & Self-Reliance   Faith & Philosophy   Finances  

Don’t waste big money on little things. Be intentional about what you spend.

16, 21

Finances  

Eat Apple Pie :)

5-6

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  

“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  

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  

Begin planning trip for 10th bday. Maybe to Atlantis in Bahamas or someplace he’d be excited about._____Get him involved in planning and saving.

8

Finances