Kids Ain't Cheap

But They Sure Are Worth It

How Much Does Unschooling Cost?

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Unschooling Costs

Homeschooling can take many different forms, from essentially recreating school at home by using workbooks and taking multiple tests to a Charlotte Mason method where children derive their education largely through reading living books. There is also the Classical Education philosophy based on learning the classics like Greek and Roman history and language. However, perhaps the most misunderstood homeschool philosophy is unschooling. While detractors say unschooling isn’t really schooling at all, unschoolers see it as a viable educational form. If you’re interested in unschooling, you first must understand what the philosophy is and how much unschooling costs.

What Is Unschooling

Unschooling is an educational philosophy. Unschoolers don’t typically have their children take standardized tests or any other test. They don’t use textbooks or follow a set curriculum. Instead, the child determines what he would like to study based on his interests.

Cooking, gardening, and raising animals can all be part of the school day for an unschooler. Unschoolers also may code a robot, research the Titanic, do a science experiment, or record a new YouTube video all in the name of school. The idea is that unschoolers will learn more deeply because they’re working on things that interest them and that they choose to pursue. Hopefully, this helps the child become a lifelong learner.

However, critics argue that unschooling does not lead to a well-rounded education necessary for adult life. If an unschooler is not interested in math, she may not study it, which could cause problems in adulthood. Similarly, one who is interested in science may not study writing because she’s not particularly strong in that area.

How Much Does Unschooling Cost?

Unschooling costs can vary widely depending on the amount of money the parent has to dedicate to unschooling and the child’s interests.

Ways to Unschool for Free

If you don’t have much money to dedicate to unschooling, that’s okay! You can still give your child a stellar education. Consider these opportunities:

The Library

The library offers many educational items for your child from library books to movies to foreign language learning programs. In addition, most libraries offer regular learning programs such as wildlife experts who bring animals to the library or scientists who teach astronomy. Most libraries also offer activities like chess club and teen time that your child can join.

The Outdoors

Unschooling Costs

Photo by David Clode on Unsplash

One of the greatest classrooms is the great outdoors. Give your child ample time to hike and take nature walks. Some children enjoy keeping a nature journal. They can search for animals, observe the seasonal changes, watch birds. . .the possibilities are endless.

The Internet

There are some high-quality educational services on the Internet.

EdX

EdX offers free online college classes from 160 universities including Harvard, MIT, Boston University, and the University of California, Berkeley, to name a few. You can study architecture, math, literature, engineering, food and nutrition, and many more subjects with some of the greatest minds in the United States.

YouTube

If you think of YouTube as a place to waste time, think again. You can find tutorials and even educational lessons. My daughter and I are studying Japanese, in part through YouTube lessons that we find.

If You Have Money to Spend

If you have more money to spend on unschooling, you can take advantage of other academic resources.

Camps

Educational camps offer your child a unique way to learn. There are science camps, sports camps, liberal arts/reading camps. You can find what you need for your child if you have the money to pay for it.

Subscriptions

Likewise, you can also take advantage of subscription services to help your child in her educational endeavors.

Magazine Subscriptions

Magazine subscriptions from National Geographic to LEGO Magazine to Architectural Digest may feed your child’s desire to learn more about their current unschooling interests.

Box Subscriptions

Likewise, box subscriptions can also help spark your child’s creativity. Some of the most popular educational subscription boxes include Kiwi Crate for science and art, Atlas Crate for geography and culture, Tinker Crate for science and engineering, and Eureka Crate for engineering and design.

If your child is more creative, there are I Create Art boxes for budding artists. Young chefs may enjoy Eat2Explore cooking boxes.

For most interests a child can have, you can find a subscription box.

Tools & Learning Aids

If you have a budding scientist, and you can afford to buy a student microscope, your child can spend time creating slides and looking under the microscope.

How Much Does Unschooling Cost?

Photo by Simon Delalande on Unsplash

You might buy a telescope for a child who is interested in astronomy or ample art supplies for a student who is interested in art.

A child who is interested in chemistry might benefit from a chemistry science kit. A history buff may want to take field trips to historic sites and museums to learn more.

If Money Is Available but Limited

Most of us aren’t independently wealthy. If you have some money to spend on your child’s education, but that money is limited, consider handing over control to your child. Let’s say you have $3,000 a year to spend on your child’s education. You can give your child $750 per quarter. Then, she can decide how to spend the money on her education each month.

If you feel comfortable letting her have this control, you are embracing the philosophy of unschooling as a child-lead schooling option. Plus, just letting her choose what to buy and deciding if the items were worth the money is an educational experience in itself. She’ll also learn how to budget the money. If she wants to attend an expensive camp in the summer, she’ll need to save the money from previous quarters to afford the camp.

Final Thoughts

Unschooling is a controversial form of homeschooling, but many unschoolers have gone on to be successful adults. If you opt for this form of homeschooling, know that unschooling costs as little or as much as you want it to.

Read More

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What Age Should Kids Learn About Money?

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Kids Learn about Money

What age should kids learn about money?  That’s a difficult question because kids learning about money isn’t the same as, say, potty training.  Kids continue to learn about money throughout their childhoods.  However, having said that, your kids can begin to learn about money in the early preschool years and continue on from there.

How Preschool Kids Learn about Money

At this age, kids are watching you closely so set a good example.  For instance, when you go to a grocery store, don’t reward your kids with a treat every time.  If you do, they start to expect that you will just buy things for them.

Instead, create buy, spend, and save jars.  If you want to pay them an allowance for chores, now is the time to start.  You can set up a chore chart, and pay them for their chores.  When you pay them, you can help them separate their money into the three jars.  Let them use their spend money for little things they want to buy.

This is also a good time to get them money-related toys like play cash registers so they can get used to the concept of the different values of our coins and bills, spending money to buy something, not having enough money, and making change.  Play store and grocery shopping with them frequently.

How Elementary Kids Learn about Money

Once your children learn the rudimentaries about money, it’s time to teach them more complex lessons.  The grocery store is a great place to teach these lessons.  You can teach about buying generics, price comparing different sizes of the same product, and the value of using coupons.

Kids this age will be earning more than they did as preschoolers, so you can also help them save for a large goal like an expensive Lego set they want to buy.  You should also teach them that once the money is spent, it’s gone.  Then, they need to work hard to earn more to save and spend all over again.

How Middle School Kids Learn about Money

At this age, kids are going to want to spend, spend, spend.  This is the time to teach them, if you haven’t already, that you won’t buy everything they want.  Just because your daughter wants new jeans when she already has enough doesn’t mean you’ll buy them.  She can save her money and buy them if she really wants them.

You should also teach them about the power of compound interest.  This helps them realize that if they delay spending today, compounding interest can help them have more money later.

How High School Kids Learn about Money

Now is the time when all your hard work teaching your kids about money comes to fruition.  Rather than buying or giving your child a car, have them save for at least half of the price of a car.

Also, teach your kids about credit cards, how to use them responsibly, and how to avoid accruing debt.

Be very clear how much you can afford to pay for their upcoming college.  Then, they can choose a college that is affordable, or choose one that costs more than you can afford.  However, help them understand how accruing student loan debt can make it harder to achieve their goals in adulthood.

Final Thoughts

Throughout your child’s life, you should be teaching them money lessons.  As they age, these financial lessons should become more specific.  If you’ve done your job well, by the time they leave home, they’ll be able to make smart money decisions.  However, if your child makes foolish money decisions, know that you’ve laid the ground work so they know how to improve their financial situation should they need to.

Read More

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Keeping up with the Joneses (Parenting Edition)

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For the first time I've felt pressure to maintain appearances for my daughter. So I wonder, are you, too, keep up with the Joneses as a parent?At the beginning of the year, my daughter started ballet. Halfway through the semester they have a public showcase which is a time where the families can see what is being accomplished in class and, as well a time for the students to get used to being outside of their studio and on a larger stage with an audience. By the time their annual recital comes around they’re a little more comfortable on a stage and know what to expect.

The showcase is not the full practiced recital with costumes and all. We were excited to see her dance though (parents aren’t allowed in the studio during weekly dance class to encourage independence/the studios aren’t very big) and she was excited to show off her moves. I was a little surprised to find out, that during this less formal performance, that parents would be bringing flowers to their kids. I didn’t know what to do.

For a formal dance recital performance, I understand that parents might bring a flower or small bouquet for a job well done and to congratulate their kids, but for a mid-semester quick showcase I wasn’t so sure. This was my first time so I was very much ‘’going with the flow’’. In the end, I decided that flowers for this day would be a bit much and were unnecessary, that was until I got a text from my sister-in-law.

Her friend has a daughter I the same dance company as ours. He called her to warn her that when they went to their first showcase they were literally the only parents without flowers for their daughter and it was nothing but tears for a few hours following. I didn’t want that to be us. I didn’t want to walk into the dressing room afterwards empty handed and have to explain in a roomful of pre-schoolers and parents that mommy and daddy didn’t bother getting flowers because they were a waste of money for such an event. We didn’t have time so our family made an emergency flower stop and picked up a small bouquet (50% off!).

This was the first time since having my daughter that I really felt like I was doing something to appease other people. Parents mostly. Don’t get me wrong, she was pretty excited to get a few flowers of her own, but I still feel like it was a bit unnecessary for the event in question. Had we not got the call from my sister-in-law, I would have stuck to my instinct and my kid would have been the only one (without flowers) and possibly spent the drive home crying, so in the end I’m glad we avoided that.

I’ve always very much gone to the beat of my own drum, and not cared what other people think about me, my family or any choices we make but I notice more and more that my thought process around my daughter to be more concerning with what other people will think. I think it’s partly because she’s not quite at an age to fully understand things. Sure we could have skipped the flowers and I could have attempted to explain that we only get them for recitals but she wouldn’t have really understood why she didn’t get any while everyone else did.

As she gets older and more understanding I think it will be easier to explain why we may do (or do not) certain things but for now I choose my battles.

Have you ever felt pressure to do something for your kids?

Why We’re Opening a Bank Account For Our 3 Year Old

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Thinking of opening a bank account for your little one? Here's why I'm opening a bank account for my three year old.Next week my husband and I are going to our bank and opening an account for our daughter who hasn’t yet turned four. While some may think at three she doesn’t really need her own bank account I argue it’s never too early.

Since she first got her own piggy bank, for her first Christmas, she’s been collecting coins wherever she can find them and placing them in her Cinderella bank. Though they’re mostly small coins, until recently I didn’t realize how many she actually had. It sits on her shelf where she drops the coins in when she finds them. Yesterday I opened it to have a look to realize she’s almost out of room! I explained that soon we will need to work together to roll the coins and take them to the bank. Though she likely only has about $10-$15 it’s something and I want her to understand the importance of saving.

More than the piggy bank, a child has their own set of expenses. For us, its ballet and soccer plus the normal kid stuff like growing in and out of clothes way too fast. Until now we’ve just been providing these things out of our account but I like the idea of her having her own account to pay for all her expenses separately. Rather than us just pay for everything when it comes up, instead we will be putting money into her account to pay for these expenses. It helps us budget better by separating her stuff from ours and is helping her learn the value of money at an early age.

I think having an allowance is important for a child. Though my three year old doesn’t yet understand that we’re essentially giving her a bi-weekly allowance, it’s exactly what we’re doing. Just like adults, there will be required ‘’bills’’ to pay from her account, in her case registration fees and uniforms, but the ‘’extra’’ will be hers. Obviously she isn’t going to walk into her dance studio at four and pay her bill, we will with the money in her account, which we’ve placed there. As she gets older though she will have more say in the account and as well expectation to open a separate strict savings account (on top of the post-secondary savings account we also contribute to).

These are lessons I never had taught to me and I wish I understood the importance of saving early and often sooner than I did. I have vague memories of the local credit union coming in to collect our change in elementary school and balance our account books in the hallway but never really understood why we did what we did. I didn’t realize the foundation it was attempting to lay.

I’m not suggesting that by opening an account at three, our daughter will go through life not making any financial mistakes, there’s no doubt in my mind she will, the difference between her and I though is that she will know the difference when it happens and be able to correct them much sooner which is exactly what I hope to accomplish.

How old were your kids when they opened a bank account?

Do You Involve Your Kids in Politics?

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Involving kids in politics isn't something widely talked about but is something our family does. Here's why.Money and politics tend to be two topics that people hold tight to the breast. They often don’t like talking about them, which to me is sort of funny. Both of these topics are so, very important and in my opinion you can’t talk about them too early or too much.

I write this post on the eve of Canada’s federal election and the US will elect a new president in a years’ time. Growing up in a democratic country is a blessing that enough of us, unfortunately, don’t realize. I want my children to understand the importance of having at least a basic understanding of our political system, international effects and why they absolutely must make an educated vote, for any election.

I only have my own experiences to draw on, and in terms of politics, I had very little exposure as a child. This probably has something to do with the fact that the voting age in Canada isn’t until 18 years old, when most people have either graduated or are in the process of graduating high school. I’m sure the mentality is that once you move onto post-secondary education systems it will be discussed but that wasn’t the case, for me at least. I wasn’t a political science student. I didn’t study economics or history. I literally had to Google my own politicians and what the parties meant and represented when the first election happened. Unfortunately most young people don’t even bother to do this and thus, don’t vote.

The US system is much simpler in the sense that you have Democrats and Republicans, as well a set election schedule. Canada has multiple parties (bigger ones being Conservatives, Liberals and NDP) as well no set election schedule, we could essentially have the same prime minister for 30 years. Boring.

Teaching Through Involvement

Teaching our children through involvement is crucial regardless of what country you’re from. We’ve already started with our 3.5 year old. When we’re driving we have her point out the different colored signs. She knows which one mommy and daddy prefers and is beginning to engage in questions. The ‘’why’s’’ have started. While I know she doesn’t necessarily understand our answers, the point is that the conversation has been stimulated.

When we vote tomorrow we will bring our daughter with us. I want her to come and experience it. The TV will be on all night until the final results are in, she will watch it with us. I know she doesn’t ‘’get’’ it but it is important to us that she begins to appreciate just how important it is. I have a friend who will actually host an at home voting booth with her young children, this is a brilliant idea to me. Learning through experience is the best way to learn.

Having a good political background is so important, kids shouldn’t be excluded. They should know who stands for what and how they will be effected too. A time will come when they’re granted voting power and they need to have as much information as possible!

Do you/will you involve your children in understanding politics?

Is a Pet a Good Idea For Your Family?

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Is a pet a good idea for your family? Here are some questions to ask before venturing into pet ownership.Anytime my three year old sees a dog she either asks if she can have that one, or if we can get another dog to live with us. As a fellow animal lover, she comes by wanting it honestly but we simply cannot have a dog for a number of different reasons but this doesn’t stop her from asking.

A pet is a huge responsibility, especially a dog. One of the big reasons I wouldn’t bring a dog into our lives right now is because we have an incredibly stressed out cat who suffers from IBS and I’m sure the stress of any other animal in the house would be enough to set off her IBS bad enough that it kills her. It would be totally unfair for us to do that to her.

I’ve always had pets growing up, cats, fish, hamsters, birds and dogs. We were big into animals but now that I’m a homeowner, mother and pet caretaker I have a totally different perspective on animals and the responsibility that comes with it. We can’t even go away overnight without having our cat looked after since she’s on such a strict feeding schedule.

So many families take on the responsibility of a pet without thinking it through and it doesn’t always end well. There are a few things that need to be considered before you bring any pet into the picture, regardless of your family situation.

Can you afford it?

Pets are expensive. To properly care for an animal they, at the very least, need regular food and exams. Expect extras too, in our case it’s expensive prescription cat food and multiple vet visits per year. All of these expenses need to fit into our budget. The cost of owning a pet goes beyond simply paying the pet store or adoption agency the initial fee.

Does it work for your family lifestyle?

Even before we had kids a pet like a dog wouldn’t work for us. We’re not home enough and for an animal like a dog, which needs to be let out regularly and walked, we simply can’t do it. We also like to travel, even just to see family for a weekend, and a dog wouldn’t work. Consider your day-to-day schedule and see how owning a pet wold impact it. If you can’t make it work fairly for both you and animal it’s not a good time.

Who will care for the animal?

Another huge reason we won’t have a dog anytime soon is because my husband doesn’t have much interest in caring for one. He’s being fair and honest. I would hate for him to push me to have one leading me on to believe he’d help when I know it’s not something he’s interested in right now. With busy careers and a toddler running around I don’t want to be stuck doing everything myself which is precisely how it will be. For years my mom wouldn’t allow my sister to get a hamster because she knew very well she wouldn’t do stuff like clean it’s cage so until she proved herself she didn’t get one.

Pets take up more time and energy than I think most families realize. While I totally sympathize with wanting all things cute and fuzzy, unless you’re prepared to care for the pet on all fronts it may not be the best plan for your family. It can just lead to unnecessary stress.

4 Personal Finance Tips for the Ages

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how to get by on a low incomeMoney-making schemes come and go, but stalwart money management methods do not have expiration dates. Of course, it is wise to adjust your financial strategy throughout your life, guiding your efforts toward the greatest returns. But some financial tactics simply never fall out of favor.

Ongoing financial success builds off of solid fundamentals, so instead of focusing on passing fancy, the most disciplined money managers stick to the basics. Building and protecting credit, saving, and living a life you can afford are chief principles of effective money management, so these cornerstones are worth a closer look.

Live Within Your Means

Though it may seem like an obvious point, maintaining an affordable lifestyle is essential for anyone wanting to stay solvent. With a steady income and fixed expenses, cash flow is easily managed from month-to-month. Freelancers and self-employed workers may face greater challenges reconciling irregular income and spending, but even entrepreneurs find ways to balance their books.

It is difficult to manage finances on-the-fly, so the best way to account for your expenses is to track spending, and then create a budget. Treat your personal cash flow just like a business would, staying atop deposit income as well as outgoing payables.

To create a workable budget: First, divide your customary buys into manageable categories, to illustrate exactly where your money goes. Next, fill-in payments and other spending to create a sample snapshot of your finances. Use at least one month’s worth of data, but try to accumulate budget information for a full quarter (three months).

Once you’ve determined where your money goes, it is easy to reel-in savings. Though fixed expenses, like mortgages and other recurring payments may leave little room for cutbacks, discretionary buys like entertainment, travel, food, and fashion can be pared for positive financial gains.

Strive to Save

It is easier said than done for many well-meaning families, who make ends meet with little room for savings. Even small sums go a long way; however, as money set-aside mixes with time to produce positive long-term gains. Whenever possible, designate a monthly sum to add to your savings, perhaps taken aside from your paycheck. As savings grows, the dividends it earns also appreciates, compounding its value again and again.

Savings accounts have not been terribly profitable in recent years, with returns sometimes failing to beat the rate of inflation. And to make any progress at all, deposits must be held in fixed-rate accounts for a particular span of time, before gains set-in. To make the most of your savings, consider investments with greater upside potential, like stocks and other holdings.

Protect Your Assets

The recent mortgage meltdown shed light on personal financial security, as hundreds of thousands of borrowers faced foreclosure and default. Many lost everything they had worked hard to acquire. To increase your financial security, your debt-to-income ratio must be preserved within reasonable limits.

Insurance cover is another essential feature of your comprehensive financial plan. Without adequate home and car cover, your assets are at risk. And additional policies may be required to cover mortgages, unemployment, and even disability.

Plan for the Worst – Hope for the Best

Sage advice for personal money managers includes a contingency plan. While you hope never to call on your emergency scheme, having one in-place protects you from financial disaster. An emergency fund, for example, covering 3-6 months’ worth of fixed expenses, hedges against income lapses and ensures your bills are paid until conditions normalize.

In addition to cash reserves, keeping credit lines available further enhances your ability to endure temporary financial hardship. When credit accounts are pushed to their limits, on the other hand, interest pressure adds to your problems and the safety-net disappears.

Wills and other documents carry-on financial responsibility in the event of your demise. Maintaining the proper documentation protects your family members and ensures your financial resources remain available to them.

Financial security is a lifelong pursuit, requiring commitment and discipline. While each situation is unique, time-tested principles bring success to dedicated money managers. To ensure the best outcomes for yourself and family, maintain an affordable lifestyle and protect your assets. Savings and backup plans add extra comfort, preparing you to fend off unexpected financial difficulties.

How Do You Control Money Given To Your Kids?

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What do you do when money is given to your kids? There are two options: make them save it or let them spend it. But, which is the right option?In the past people have given money to our daughter. Sometimes there was explicit direction given with the money, like deposit it in her savings account, and other times there I have been told to spend it on whatever she wants or needs and so my husband and I have gone out and done just that. Usually putting the money towards a need more than a want, she’s only 2.5, she doesn’t have many wants.

Now that she’s getting older though I will be allowing her to make some decision about how her money is designated. While I fully expect the first few times to be about buying the latest toy, it won’t stop me from explain the importance of saving some money too. If she does, great, if she doesn’t- it is her money.

Money to Be Saved

As she gets older I will stress the importance of saving more, but with some exceptions. Any income earned, like if she gets a babysitting job or part-time work doing something fun, I will fully expect that she contributes to her savings account and help save for something larger she may want or need, however I have no problem with allowing gift money to be spent however she wants.

Money to Be Enjoyed

Most money given as a present is expected to be enjoyed. While I would like if she saved some or all of it I have no problem if she decided to blow it all on clothes, toys or whatever else she wanted as she gets older. AS long as it is an informed decision.

If she empties her cash in a mall food court and couldn’t tell me where the money went, I’d have a problem but it would be 100% her mistake to make. If she convinced me she really wants something, and was given the money to buy something, I will totally allow it. At the same time if I notice after some time it’s something she isn’t using or was wasted money, depending on what it was, I would encourage her to sell it and regain some of the lost money.

It’s easy for me as a personal finance blogger to get all too excited about saving and keeping all money tight to the vest but I can’t forget that money is meant to be enjoyed. For a three year old, long-term savings isn’t quite as fun as the newest Elsa doll or Olivia book and I get that, as long as she is really enjoys it isn’t money wasted in my eyes.

I fully expect my children to make mistakes with their money. Mistakes made are often the best learning opportunities. I just hope most of the mistakes are made in the comfort of our family home before she moves out and has a full plate of financial responsibilities. Financial peace is about balancing wants, needs and responsibility as long as I can instill this, she should be just fine.

How do you decide how gift money given to your kids is ”spent”?