Right now the boys are really into money. Whether it is from gifts, finding it on the ground or collecting it from their chores, they love to see their savings build. Over the years we have spent a lot of time discussing the need to save their money and it is working. They understand that it is important to put it away rather than spend it at every chance they get. We can thank the finance hubby for this. Me, I tend to not be an amazing saver. But that is a story for another day.
Even though we have spent a lot of time discussing the need to "save" their money, we have really just touched the surface of discussing the need to "give" their money. It has been mentioned once or twice, and they love to hand out our money at church, but they had not really understood the concept of giving away their own money to others. Though the hubby and I try to donate whenever possible, we have never really explained this to them. So, that was our "giving back" exercise for May.
After First Communion, chores, birthday and some great saving, the boys had accumulated a nice amount of cash and they were anxious to spend some. They added up everything and told me all that they could afford. My first question to them was, "well, how much are you going to give to those less fortunate?". They had never really had that questioned asked of them before and they had no idea. I think I was offered a dollar.
This led to a nice long conversation on "the more you have, the more you give". We discussed the donations we make to their school, the church, charities and others and just how important this was to do. We discussed that any amount is great but that they should always assume 10% of their money should go back. After a little math, they realized how much they would need to give of their own money. The greatest part of this conversation is that when told their amount, it didn't even phase them. They didn't question it. They simply said, "okay, well we will bring it to church on Sunday". I was proud of them for being so willing to give, but I wasn't sure how long it was going to last.
After a month of discussing this, it is apparent that they will not forget. They continue to save money and add it to the jar but every time they mention something they want to buy with it, they also mention how much money they will give. Though it was our May exercise, we will continue to instill this in them each day, month, year. I am crossing my fingers that they stay generous and aware as they grow up and always remember "the more you have, the more you give".
Happy Friday Everyone.
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