***Just an FYI UPDATE: I will be hosting a Swap and Hop this Friday. I wanted to let you know today in case you want to participate so you can think about how to do your Friday post. The topic will be "An Organization Challenge Area in Your Home." We will have Karen Ehman joining us for an exciting contest. She'll be picking two of you to win an Organizational Make Over for your trouble area. Also, we'll be giving away a few books too! So, think of an area in your home that is challenging for you to get or keep organized. I'll post more info tomorrow!
The other night Mark was discussing what he was going to do with his birthday money. With great excitement he started describing the latest and greatest cell phone. Seeing as I am obviously quite up on why a person would want the latest and greatest in cell phone technology, I held up my little phone that cost $9.99 four years ago and simply asked, "Why?"
Basically it boiled down to a coolness factor.
Now, I remember the desire to want to be cool. I never quite hit the mark with my frizzy hair, metal mouth, and lack of Gloria Vanderbilt Jeans. I did have an Izod shirt and a Calvin Klein jumper that teetered on the edge of cool... but when you wear the same outfit too many days in a row, you quickly get X'd off the cool list- like totally.
But back to the phone.
Basically, he can afford to buy the phone but the extra monthly service charges for a phone with these bells and whistles would be more of a stretch than my current body trying to still fit in said Gloria Vanderbilt's. Which you can now buy on e-bay for less than the price of a Happy Meal. Sigh.
But back to the phone.
I quickly realized as I listened to him lay out his grand plan for getting something he really can't afford but thinking that he can make it work (AKA...getting himself in a mess financially), that the boy needed some wise parental training.
So, we took Mark on a quick mental journey of what life will be like in a few years when he is on his own. Really, it is a simple mathematical equation that all children should have to take the time to sit and ponder. Instead of just telling our kids they should study and work hard in school, we should show them the realities.
Here's the math...
Let's say he gets a job making $10 an hour, working 40 hours, which would give him $400 a week. With 4 weeks in a month that would give him a monthly income of approximately $1600 give or take a little depending on how the weeks fall in a month.
Mark got wide eyed at that big chunk of money- $1600!!! I could see visions of cell phone grandeur dancing about in his brain!
Now, the deductions...
Taxes brings us down to $1200
Tithing brings us down to $1040
Rent brings us down to $440
Car Payment brings us down to $200
Gas brings us down to... oh dear $0.
"Mom, where's my money for food and clothes and my cell phone?"
"I don't know Mark. Maybe you should use your current cell phone to download a ring tone with the song "Back to Life- Back to Reality."
I'm thinking the discussion went well. I think I'll see about ordering me some of those Gloria Vanderbilt's off e-bay now. My budget can handle it. Did I mention my cell phone only cost $9.99?
I love being cool- like totally.
The other night Mark was discussing what he was going to do with his birthday money. With great excitement he started describing the latest and greatest cell phone. Seeing as I am obviously quite up on why a person would want the latest and greatest in cell phone technology, I held up my little phone that cost $9.99 four years ago and simply asked, "Why?"
Basically it boiled down to a coolness factor.
Now, I remember the desire to want to be cool. I never quite hit the mark with my frizzy hair, metal mouth, and lack of Gloria Vanderbilt Jeans. I did have an Izod shirt and a Calvin Klein jumper that teetered on the edge of cool... but when you wear the same outfit too many days in a row, you quickly get X'd off the cool list- like totally.
But back to the phone.
Basically, he can afford to buy the phone but the extra monthly service charges for a phone with these bells and whistles would be more of a stretch than my current body trying to still fit in said Gloria Vanderbilt's. Which you can now buy on e-bay for less than the price of a Happy Meal. Sigh.
But back to the phone.
I quickly realized as I listened to him lay out his grand plan for getting something he really can't afford but thinking that he can make it work (AKA...getting himself in a mess financially), that the boy needed some wise parental training.
So, we took Mark on a quick mental journey of what life will be like in a few years when he is on his own. Really, it is a simple mathematical equation that all children should have to take the time to sit and ponder. Instead of just telling our kids they should study and work hard in school, we should show them the realities.
Here's the math...
Let's say he gets a job making $10 an hour, working 40 hours, which would give him $400 a week. With 4 weeks in a month that would give him a monthly income of approximately $1600 give or take a little depending on how the weeks fall in a month.
Mark got wide eyed at that big chunk of money- $1600!!! I could see visions of cell phone grandeur dancing about in his brain!
Now, the deductions...
Taxes brings us down to $1200
Tithing brings us down to $1040
Rent brings us down to $440
Car Payment brings us down to $200
Gas brings us down to... oh dear $0.
"Mom, where's my money for food and clothes and my cell phone?"
"I don't know Mark. Maybe you should use your current cell phone to download a ring tone with the song "Back to Life- Back to Reality."
I'm thinking the discussion went well. I think I'll see about ordering me some of those Gloria Vanderbilt's off e-bay now. My budget can handle it. Did I mention my cell phone only cost $9.99?
I love being cool- like totally.
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