Baby Sitting

Anyone with kids knows how important it is to find good, reliable, trustworthy and responsible babysitters.

The last post about the credit/debit card by Pay Jr. for kids doing their chores (see the link to the right for more information) probably could also work for babysitters. If you have a babysitter you consistently use, you could start an account for them, and put money onto their card. Don't have twenty bucks after your night out? Put it directly on the card from your checking/savings account. I don't know about you, but I rarely carry cash because I can track my expenses better if I use my card. Plus, it's interest free for 30 days! You can use credit/debit cards almost everywhere now, so it's stands to reason that a card is a good option for kids, too. The kids can track their account to see how much is on it.

Being a responsible credit card holder is important, especially in our country's current state of overspending. There is wisdom to "don't spend more than you have," and it provides a sense of freedom. So, having kids learn to watch what they have, and see where it is going can help them learn to budget - a critical, necessary skill when they become independent, responsible adults. If you are still supporting them, while they are unsupervised when they go to college, you'll be thankful, too!

Chores & Fun = Learning Finance

Have you seen this yet? This is the coolest thing! A way to make your kids chores technologically connected. Do you give your kids an allowance for the chores they do? If not, you might consider it after checking out this company. Here is a place that gives you a chore calendar that you've created, puts values to each chore the kids do, and offers a card for spending the money they earn- that you, the parent, add money to, control, and monitor.

Don't have cash to give your kids for the movie they are going to with their friends? Not a problem, if they've done their chores, their card has money on it! Do your kids want to upgrade their on-line services, buy i-Tunes, etc? They can use the card for on-line purchases. The cards also have restrictions - no purchasing for gambling, alcohol, dating services, or other inappropriate purchases.

Your kids can design their own card, too! Put your family picture, school picture, etc.

Right now, through this site, you can get signed up for free! Click on the link to the right. Start your kids saving for special items. Help them learn the value of saving and spending wisely.

A dad in Austin has a great blog for teaching kids to spend and save wisely. Check it out at http://www.choresandallowances.blogspot.com