I saw an interview with one of the families whose daughter died in the shooting at Virginia Tech. They seemed so at peace. I can't quote them exactly but they said, they had done so many things a s a family together and had created so many positive memories together, that there is nothing they would change from the way they spent their life with her for the time they had her.

Then I got to thinking. When I have money to spend do I spend it on things or on experiences?

I'd love hardwood floors but we've never been on a family vacation. It's really going to make me think the next time. In the past I have thought some experiences were a waste of money because when the experience is over, there is nothing to show for it. But memories will far outlive any "thing" I could buy.

What are your thoughts on spending extra money. Do you prefer to spend it on "things" you can show for it or on experiences where they may be nothing to show for it but create good memories?

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Mom to dd (age 9) and ds (age 11)
blogging daily about purpose and personal identity

I like a blend of both.

However, I do not see "expeiences" necessarily costing a great deal of money. An overnight trip of camping can be done for under $50 and lots of memories can be made.
A day trip on the weekends to the science museum or whatever and an ice cream cone to round off the day can be done for under $50.
A day at a pick yur own orchard can be a lot of fun. I remember days of going to the blueberry patch place in July and eating almost as many as I picked. Great fun.
A day at the beach, go the park and fly a kite.

Older kids - same things.

Go with duaghter to local beauty school and get "makeovers" for cheap - manicure, pedicures, hairstyles. Get crazy color put in for the day and take pictures. Follow up with an afternoon tea/ hot chocolate at a fancy tea shop and call it a day.
Go with sons to local triple A baseball game for way cheaper than the pros.

We attend local highschool plays, cheap entertainment.

A day at the flea market or garage saling, give each family member $20 to spend and you've got a full packed day and everyone gets a treasure for under $100.

You can divy up a large family vacation expense into many more cheaper thrills and have money to do it each month instead of just once or twice every few years.

Have you asked your family what they might like to do? They might have a lot of cool ideas you haven't thought of.

There are always arts and crafts projects/ classes you can do with local park districts, community colleges, Michael craft sotre, etc.

Memories don't necessarily have to cost a lot of money to make them stand out.

We are an "experience" family. The things we have are nice but nothing fancy. We prefer to take lots of family vacations, short trips, educational seminars, etc. Many of our experiences don't cost a thing. But, with our larger family, vacations cost more on average (we usually have to get two hotel rooms, extra plane tickets, etc.). Also, by homeschooling, we are more experience-oriented.

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Homeschooling Mom to Daniel (13 Years), Andrew (10 Years), Stephen (8 Years) and Emily (4 Years)

Having family experiences is a huge reason why I am working to become a SAHM. Sure we won't necessarily be able to afford many trips or vacations to build memories but we will have TIME to make memories at home. I hate the idea that five days a week she is growing and learning at daycare and I am not witnessing it. I never think back to my childhood and think "oh I wish I had this or that". I wish that we had done more things together as a family - walks, trips, picnics, whatever.

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I have been brought up to forward on the traditions in my family. I intorduce my nieces and nephew to all the fun things that I remember as a child. I came from a family of five, with a single mother. So she had to creat a lot out of a little!!! So I understand that you do not have to have a lot of money to do fun things with your children. So now as an adult, I try to re-create all those memories that i had as a child. When I spend time with my family, I do day trips at the park with a picnic lunch brought from home. The park by my home has a great nature trail to walk along and a great playground area. My nices love to do arts and crafts, so with all the coupons I have I get great deals on craft items, to use for future use, when they spend time at my house. I also love to do stay home on a weekend day and have "movie" day and stay in our pajamas all day and eat and watch movies!!! (Dont have to spend a dime!!) I also love to go to the library with the kids, read books, maybe rent a movie for a dollar, and then go enjoy our new books in the comfort of my backyard, on a nice day of course. My town has a swimming pool that costs nothing to join. You just have to live in that town. I pack lunches, bring my books and magazines and have a nice fun day outside. They even have arts and crafts at lunchtime for the children. All FREE!! So in conclusion, you really do not have to have a lot of money to be a good parent or to buy a memory for your child to remeber. Just spending time with yr family will create a memory that will far last any expensive toy you gave your child, or that trendy gift you gave to yr family member!!!! Traditions are experiences that go on forever and leave an everlasting mark on someone's life!!!

I like spending my money on both...you can't take it with you when you're gone, so make the most of what you have.

I have been thinking alot about this too, there are alot of things I want to do around the house, but I am determined to make this year more family oriented. I am making a list of all the things we can do together, some cost nothing and others use our memberships or cost under $50.00. My kids are growing so fast and I want to spend as much time with them as possible Great post Kathryn, I love reading everyone's thoughts!

We are all about experiences. We like to travel and see new places and also explore our own state a good bit. I feel like the kids are more likely to remember experiences than things.

my opinion for my own saving and decluttering is to do just that...noone lays on their death bed and thinks "boy...my house was always SO clean"or "man did I accumulate alot of collectibles"

I cut my coupons and keep the amount of time and things I have to a minimum TO spend the time and effort making memories with my family.

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I think it needs to be a combination of both. I am already excited about doing so many things with our kids and can't wait to have them experience so many fun things about childhood.

Obviously some things are important but honestly the things I remember most from my childhood are places we went and things we did.

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Proud mommy to adorable Kinsley