Looking in from the outside, I always assumed that being a parent was a rewarding job but also hard work. I learned how true that was when I became a parent. I am a Mom, first and foremost, and it’s a title and job that I love. It also takes great effort, endless patience and much love to do it well. As a parent, you hold such tremendous power in
View Blog...
Halloween is a holiday that many people look forward to every year because they enjoy carving pumpkins, dressing up and watching scary movies. Plus, there are no expectations around giving or receiving gifts, so it’s more low-key than Christmas or Valentine’s Day. We simply think of it as a fun, no-pressure holiday to enjoy with family and friends. As I shared on Monday, it is also a holiday that provides
View Blog...
June is here and many families are busy prepping for their annual summer family vacation. While the main purpose of a family vacation may be to have fun, they also offer ample opportunities to teach your kids some valuable money lessons. We love to travel and utilize that passion to help teach Lauren and Taylor how to make smart choices with their money.
View Blog...
It’s hard to believe but soon school will be out with kids ready to spend afternoons at the pool or park or hanging out with friends. Thoughts of reading, writing and arithmetic will be replaced with concocting various ways to have fun (or create mischief) instead. Of course, I’ve never believed that fun and learning cannot coexist peacefully together. In fact, my kids embrace money lessons when they are fun
View Blog...
One of my good friends and regular commenters, DC from Young Adult Money, mentioned that the fear of failure is something that many millennials really struggle with because they were taught to not fail. It really struck a chord with me because it’s true. Our lives are so public these days, thanks to our love of selfies and over-sharing tendencies. Everything we do or accomplish, good or bad, is readily
View Blog...
Like many things these days, birthday parties have become huge, over-the-top affairs. There can be a lot of pressure to keep-up, which can put a huge strain on your budget. It doesn’t need to be that way either. There is no rule that a magical birthday party needs to break your bank. It does require a little ingenuity and most importantly — that you listen.
View Blog...
As I mentioned last week, November is special to me as Lauren was born this month. I can still remember the intense love and fierce protectiveness I felt when I held her in my arms for the first time. Those feelings have never wavered. I am blessed to be her Mom, and I’m so excited to watch her grow into an amazing young woman.
View Blog...
Kids are truly one of the greatest wonders in the world. They are often more resilient and tougher than we give them credit for being. They embrace what we expect them to dislike and revolt against ideas we thought they would love. This is why I always recommend starting money talks early. Your kids are more receptive and less likely to have any money bias. Of course, whether they are
View Blog...
Every blogger will tell you that they didn’t exactly know what to expect when they started, and I was certainly no different. I had my mission and lots of passion around financial literacy, but wasn’t sure if anyone else would care. Well, thankfully you did! Today we’re going back to the beginning because when I find a new blogger to follow, I join them in progress and suspect many of
View Blog...
Editor’s Note: Tanya is back to share some frugal, year-round family activities with us. Kids (and adults) often become bored and frustrated when entertainment budgets are slashed during debt repayment. A prolonged lack of fun can make even the most dedicated family go a little stir crazy and splurge unwisely to alleviate boredom. But it doesn’t need to be that way. Tanya has some great ideas to put fun back
View Blog...
SHANNON RYAN, CFP®