The Stew Pot: Recent Comments

Comment on So My Little Girl Wants to Move Out

Stewart Allyn — Sat, 17 May 2008 08:37:46 GMT

Great comments...thank you...the $1 bill episode is worth its own article.

We've started stockpiling stuff for her over the past few years.

Put aside are: Dishes, silverware, glasses...a good kitchen starter set.
She has her full bedroom furniture.
Also a couch, chair, end tables, lamps, and storage chest.

We are working on dinette set, entertainment unit, and other odds-n-ends.

She should be set once she has the money.

Comment on So My Little Girl Wants to Move Out

Stewart Allyn — Sat, 17 May 2008 08:32:21 GMT

Thank you for the confirmation. This should be a lesson to all the parents of young ones...the drama never ends.

Comment on So My Little Girl Wants to Move Out

Xbox4NappyRash — Sat, 17 May 2008 03:49:43 GMT

Ah man, I've seen this so many time with my niece and nephews, they start earning a few quid for the first time and they reckon they can fly the nest and live the life they do now but with MORE freedom.

Sure they can, but that costs!

I admit I did the same mistake myself, and paid for it for a few years with heavy credit card bills, and I thought I was a sensible guy.

It's great she's taking notice of your advice, but I would wager she'll still not totally learn until she gets a finger or two burned.

Life's lesson!

Nice piece.

Comment on So My Little Girl Wants to Move Out

TheOldBroad — Fri, 16 May 2008 20:08:15 GMT

One of the best lessons I've ever seen was when a friend's son thought they had money to burn and couldn't understand why they didn't have fancy cars, go out to eat all the time, etc.

The father brought his paycheck home in one dollar bills. He put them in stacks.

He then got out the monthly bills.

One top of each bill, the father and son laid a stack of ones large enough to pay the bill.

When they finished with monthly bills, they divided up the rest for food, gas, incidentals and the monthly portion of larger non-monthly bills such as insurance.

None of that even took into account any savings, emergency funds, clothing, vet bills, etc.

When they were done, the son finally understood why there were very few dollar bills remaining.

Your daughter is probably in for a big surprise when it comes to health and car insurance. I assume her car insurance is part of our policy. It'll probably skyrocket when she gets her own.

Apartments? Does she know they want first and last month's rent as well as a security deposit? Does she have any furniture of her own, kitchen stuff, cleaning supplies, etc etc etc etc etc. All the stuff you need in your own home.

Just a suggestion, but maybe she could start stockpiling things from garage sales and Wal-Mart while she saves the equivalent of food, laundromat, rent and a bit for an emergency fund.

I remember starting out in a horrible little one-bedroom apartment in a so-so neighborhood with really cheap furniture, plastic plates and all the hand-me downs I could get my hands on.

Good luck to her!

Comment on So My Little Girl Wants to Move Out

Ryan — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:25:58 GMT

Are you saying your 21 yr old daughter is a drama queen who never has it good enough, can never make up her mind, and blames you for everything even though you do everything for her despite her constantly treating you like crap? Gee never met one of those before. Well unless you count almost every girl I ever dated or met.

Comment on So My Little Girl Wants to Move Out

GetSmartGal — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:50:07 GMT

Too funny, at least you are going through this at 18...I have 5 younger brothers and none of them thought about moving out until they were in their 20's.

I think girls are a bit easier.(and not because I am one...well maybe)I like how you walked her through it, very nicely done!

Comment on Caring for Mom, One Corded Phone at a Time

dani — Thu, 15 May 2008 20:50:45 GMT

Aww, this is such a hard topic. This is actually what I do for a living. Gerontologist...lotsa luck an love

Comment on Fundraising for the New Season

Stewart Allyn — Thu, 15 May 2008 17:44:40 GMT

Jenny,

I'll be sure to check out the partnerships page on your website.

One of the hardest jobs as a parent is teaching kids how to handle money.

Take care. - Stew

Comment on Fundraising for the New Season

Jenny Ford — Thu, 15 May 2008 17:21:37 GMT

Hi Stewart,

Thanks for the encouraging comments you left on my blog!

Fundraising is always a problem, isn't it?

We have a fundraising partnership program on our website which some organisations have found really interesting - and at least it's something out of the ordinary.

For a start, it's not a one-off hit of cash, it's ongoing monthly income, plus it helps the kids develop a better understanding of business for their future prosperity.

Anyway, check out the "Fundraising Partnerships" link on the inside of our site ... and good luck!

Jenny
http://www.cash-smart-kids.com
Blogging at http://RaisingEntrepreneurs.org

Comment on Heard While Learning to Drive

Best gas mileage — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:44:50 GMT

LOL yeah, I can relate :D

I did teach both my wives to drive, and my older son, too. And will teach my youngsters - if I'm still around when they are ready :)

Regards, Misha