Tips for Getting Your Teenagers to Save Money

To save money is an important responsibility and an essential trait to have in adulthood.

To be able to save money in spite of the mass media is a daily challenge for each of us. The media is relentless as it targets our every desire for material things and specialized services designed to make our lives easier, better and happier.

Learning the Value of Money

The value of money takes on a completely different meaning when your teenager is required to spend his/her own money. Thus, from experience, they learn to carefully consider things before they actually make a purchase as well as a keener appreciation for their purchase.

Money Here; Money Gone Tomorrow

Spending money can be likened to enjoying a good meal. After your appetite is satisfied, the event is over and the money you paid for it is gone too. Therefore, for this reason alone, it is vitally important to teach your teenage children how to save money.

Need for Proper Education

They also need to have a proper education which will prevent them from falling victim to the numerous financial traps and scams that are becoming such common occurrences in our daily lives. It seems no one is safe from these vicious acts, especially the older generation.

Ways you can encourage your teenage children to start to save money

 Set an example. “Practice what you preach.” Save money in a savings account and/or buying other equity funds, such as stocks and bonds.
 Encourage your teenager to take on jobs to earn money.
 Have your teenager open a bank account and save the money they have earned.
 If you are able, give them a bonus when they save specified amounts of money.
 Again, if you are able help them to invest in the purchase of mutual funds and stocks, etc.

Reclaiming Your Power

Power has many different meanings which can vary among whomever you talk to.

 For some, power is measured by their influence and direct control they have over other people’s lives;

 For others, power is acquired temporarily by the direct control they can exert over other people by means of threat;

 For still others, their claim to power and happiness is measured by the approval of their friends, neighbors and others who belong to their social networks; and the list of meanings goes on.

But what about the personal power that is the core of your being? There are many people who feel entrapped or overwhelmed by their responsibilities in life. Decades go by, each year draining a little more of who we truly are. And then some of us awaken to the fact that we have really lived our life empoverished by these erroneous feelings of entrapment, howbeit, late in life.

At this point, let’s look at a few of the major emotional challenges that are a part of our daily lives,

 We are faced with more chronic health problems which often start in childhood;

 We are living longer, many with declining quality of life;

 The foundation of the “old economy” is changing leaving many without stable incomes;

 And, if this not enough, we are alerted to all the life challenges occurring on the global scale.

Who, When, What, How and Why?

 “Who” means YOU.

 “When” means NOW.

 “What” means it is essential to assume responsibility for our own being. When you try to spend more money than you have, you end up owing a debt. When you over-extend yourself, the same principal applies. Thus, it is absolutely essential that you establish your boundaries; thereby becoming accountable and assuming responsibility for your own inner being.

 “How” means you can reclaim your self-esteem and self confidence by taking action on the following steps;

1. Accept yourself and your current life situation without judgment and/or labels;
2. Learn to live only “in the RIGHT NOW moment” without consideration for past experiences or what the future may hold;
3. Assume an “I can” attitude in all challenges;
4. Believe in yourself;
5. Be grateful and feel good not only for this particular challenge but for your success in acknowledging and confronting it; and
6. Above all, learn to love yourself unconditionally.

 “Why” means to be forewarned, “If you should make the choice to ignore this responsibility by taking no action, you are choosing to continue your emotional suffering and unhappiness.”

Enough said.

Take good care and Have a Wonderful Week!!

Obstacles to Self Improvement-Part 1 of 6

Good Morning and Welcome Back,

My approach to Self Improvement has been and continues to be to eliminate the obstacle [weakness] that stifles me at the moment. As soon as I recognize that I am struggling, I take action to change my thoughts.

One of the primary obstacles preventing us from achieving Wholeness is "apathy": those feelings of discouragement and despair; those feelings of being overwhelmed or powerless; of being stuck and unfocused.

"Okay," you say, "How can I get rid of these emotions?"

AHA! Now we focus on winning our new and challenging "game" of Self Improvement. When we accept this challenge, we immediately become focused and unstuck. We now have power. And, furthermore, the feelings of being "overwhelmed" along with discouragement and despair fade away as we see the progress we have made. And as your self confidence grows with winning, your power continues to become stronger as you stay focused on this challenging game. You are now on an upward spiral moving toward your goal.

Always, always keep your focus on winning this game,

Come back next week for some more obstacles that can hinder us from winning our game of Self Improvement.