How Much Is That Doggie In The Window?

How much is that doggie in the window?
The one with the wagglely tail.
How much is that doggie in the window?
I do hope that doggie's for sale.

Today I was having lunch with two male adminstrators and we began talking about finances. I was amazed when both of these men stated that they manage all the finances in their families. They also stated that their wives have never written a check or paid a household bill! I was shocked. "What", I asked, "will they do should something awful happen to one of you?" This conversation prompted me to ask a few other staff and I found many similar responses.

I was shocked to find that there is often one spouse (and sometimes it is the male) that does not understand or deal with the daily chore of paying bills or managing the household budget.

Of course this train of thought led me once again to the messages sent to our children. We should all be skilled in financial management. We need to understand about money. We need to experience and understand: budgeting, paying monthly bills, saving, investing, earning interest, and also the use and dangers of credit cards.

As parents, we need to be discussing this with our children, helping them to understand financial management. If, as a parent, you do not understand this yourself, you really should make the effort to learn!

When I was married, we took turns paying the bills, alternating years so that we both experienced the task of budgeting. When I found myself single parenting, taking over sole responsibility of the finances was easy.

Do yourself and your children a favor and be involved! Take turns. Be a part of the financial management of your money. How else can you promote independence and heartiness in your children.

Arm them for life by arming yourself and then pass it on!!