Coda

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

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

12, 15, 17, 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

Save where you can. Spend when you have to. Splurge every once in a while.

15, 21

Finances

Enjoy your success but don’t flaunt it.

21

Character, Education & Self-Reliance 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

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

19

Family & Home Finances

The bull-sht never ends. Dealing with the bull-sht IS your job. If you think you’ll ever reach a “post-bullsh*t stage in your life, you’re wrong.

12, 15, 19, 21

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

Collage plan

Character, Education & Self-Reliance Sports, Health, Safety & Appearance Arts, Literature & Self Expression Science, Technology, Skills & General Knowledge Finances Social Justice, Civics & Humanitarianism Relationships & Career

Have them practice making trade offs based on their financial priorities. For example: Pedicure or movie?

9

Finances

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

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

4-5

Finances

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

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

open your own business

20

Finances

I once asked my mom if my grandmother (her mother in law) was rich. Her reply: “No, but she likes to think she is.” I think she meant my grandmother spent money like she had plenty of it when she really did not. Can relate. I hope you do better!

14, 21

Finances

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

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

Open a Bank Account

8-12

Finances

Keep going. It’s never, NEVER hopeless.

14, 16, 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

There are things you should not say: Never comment or ask a woman about her age or weight. Never comment on how many kids someone has (or doesn’t have.) The size, timing, composition, etc of someone else’s family is not your business to weigh in on. You never know who is struggling with loss or infertility, etc. And if someone announces they are expecting their seventh kid, the only correct response is “Congratulations” “How are you feeling?” etc. Just like you would if it was their first. Never ask someone how much weight they lost. If they’ve lost weight, just say “You look wonderful/amazing/ fantastic, etc.” And of course never comment on anyone having gained weight. Just say “You look wonderful.” And never never never ask someone how much money they earn or how much money they have, or how much they owe or paid for something, etc. People’s finances are personal, and are just not any of your business.

15, 20

Finances

"Watch the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves." - Ben Franklin This works with money and with other areas: Be faithful in the little things and the bigger things will take care of themselves. For example, if you don't get comfortable with telling little lies then you'll never tell big lies.

9, 13, 19

Character, Education & Self-Reliance Faith & Philosophy 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

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

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

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

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

Having an expensive hobby opens doors.

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 Finances Nature, Animals & the Environment Social Justice, Civics & Humanitarianism Relationships & Career

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

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

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

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

Save where you can. Spend when you have to. Splurge every once in a while.

Enjoy your success but don’t flaunt it.

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

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

The bull-sh*t never ends. Dealing with the bull-sh*t IS your job. If you think you’ll ever reach a “post-bullsh*t stage in your life, you’re wrong.

Collage plan

Have them practice making trade offs based on their financial priorities. For example: Pedicure or movie?

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

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

open your own business

I once asked my mom if my grandmother (her mother in law) was rich. Her reply: “No, but she likes to think she is.” I think she meant my grandmother spent money like she had plenty of it when she really did not. Can relate. I hope you do better!

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.

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.

Open a Bank Account

Keep going. It’s never, NEVER hopeless.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Having an expensive hobby opens doors.

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

The bull-sht never ends. Dealing with the bull-sht IS your job. If you think you’ll ever reach a “post-bullsh*t stage in your life, you’re wrong.