[amomof4]

Saving money for the children is an interesting thought. I heard of a family who paid for their children's college, and as a result had no money for retirement. Not one of the children helped the parents, and they thereafter lived in poverty. Just interesting.

With regards to senior expenses, I am a firm believer that children should pay their own way, at least part of it. The should have a job to pay for their wants, and the parents can pay for their needs. I think it helps the children to realize the value of money. My girls have jobs (they raise dogs), and they are only 13 and 14. They get so much money for their wants and needs, and should they spend all their money, they don't get anything until they earn money again. In the beginning, they would spend all their money, and sometimes not get any more for 3 months, less they babysat. Now they are starting to learn not to waste it so much.

I had one daughter who needed new shoes every month. Either the white ones would get too dirty too fast or she would buy a pair that didn't fit because she liked them. Now that she buys her own shoes, she doesn't buy them every month. My other daughter got smart very quickly. She decided to just get her sister's hand me downs and not buy shoes at all.

If they want to buy school lunches, they pay for it. If they want to take their lunch, I pay for it. They are really learning to budget.