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

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.

Finances

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

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

Faith & Philosophy Finances Social Justice, Civics & Humanitarianism

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

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

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

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

Have them sort change, and eventually to count it. It teaches them to gather things that are alike, it's an introduction to money and it occupies them for 15 minutes! Just make sure they're old enough to be past the point of putting coins in their mouth.

3-5

Science, Technology, Skills & General Knowledge 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

Eat Apple Pie :)

5-6

Create.

10, 14, 17, 21

Take the family on periodic “spending fasts.” As an exercise, go a day, a weekend or a week without spending any money. Make due with what you have. Encourage participation. Tie in spending fasts with holidays, lent or in support of a cause.

Family & Home Finances

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

7-17

Character, Education & Self-Reliance Finances

Keep going. It’s never, NEVER hopeless.

14, 16, 18, 19, 21

Check out the website Brightly for timely and age-appropriate book recommendations. All sorts of subjects and themes.

5-12

Arts, Literature & Self Expression Fun, Adventure & Travel Finances Emotional Development & Mental Health Social Justice, Civics & Humanitarianism

Go in the direction that your peace comes from.

14, 17, 19, 21

Character, Education & Self-Reliance 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’s talk about how we can bless people - with what we have and by how we act.

Character, Education & Self-Reliance Faith & Philosophy Finances

You’ll never regret staying calm. Keeping your cool is a skill that you can build, and it will serve you in every single aspect of life.

11-21

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

4-5

Finances

Enjoy your success but don’t flaunt it.

Character, Education & Self-Reliance 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.

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

Open a Bank Account

8-12

Finances

Buy life insurance when you're young.

Finances

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

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.

Family & Home Sports, Health, Safety & Appearance Finances

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

“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.

Finances

Grandpa used to keep a hundred dollar bill stashed discreetly in his wallet “for emergencies.”

Family & Home 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