My kids do not know anything about my financial situation. My dd1 is now starting to learn the value of a $. When my ex and I seperated he asked that if the girls wanted something and I didn't have teh money that I couldn't afford it. We both grew up poor and we both have different memories of our childhood. I remember having everything that I wanted. I may have not gotten it right then and there but I eventually got it.
They really have never asked for much and the larger things I have gotten for them for either their birthday or Christmas.
I want them to teach them about $$ because I never really knew that much about it.

I will not disclose our financial situation to my children. I was raised not hearing my parents money problems or even when we were really well off. We were taught that we couldn't get things all the time just cause we wanted even when my parents could afford it. They bought us our needs and we could earn our allowance and work for the extras (except birthday and christmas). It was nice for me cause I was never stressed about my parents money they always made me secure. If they couldn't afford it when I was little they didn't say "no because we can't afford it", they just said, "No we are not buying that now but you are welcome to put it on your christmas/birthday list" I know my friend's parents involved her in their financial struggles as she got older and it stressed her out REALLY bad. I'm not saying that it's bad to talk to it about with your children but in the cases I've seen, the parents hadn't handled it well, in my DH's family's case his dad unveiled all his mom's cc spending and ended up ruining her relationship with all her 6 kids. It's horrible.

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Mommy To Brody(3 years) Mason(20 months) Orin (3 Months)

"It's easy to pass judgement, it's more difficult and more meaningful to love someone" Big Love


"Cholesterol won't stick if you have the right attitude"

When I was a kid, my parents didn't disclose much of our finances, either. We knew that we should never ask my dad for money. It was just something we didn't do. But, I think it backfired on them. I was 15 and one day I received a call from my best friend. She told me that she had read in our small town newspaper that our house had been forclosed on. I was blown away. I had no idea. I don't ever want that to happen to my kids. If it gets that bad, I will definitely let them know, before one of their friends spill the beans. Of course, our goal is to never let that happen.

Our kids know that big items come on big days, like birthdays and Christmas. They are still young, so they don't really ask for lots of big items, anyway. Our only problem is that they are spoiled by all the grandparents and aunts and uncles. We try to explain to them that the kids don't need everything they ask for, but they were still getting them everything they wanted, anyway. Well, we had a good talk with all of them and explained that we know that they love the kids and want them to have all this stuff, but we don't have all the room for all the "junk" (ie, toys) and we want them to understand the value of things. Giving them everything they want doesn't teach them value. I guess our first real results from this were, my DS#1 got $5 for his pre-k graduation. He told us that he wants to save up some more money so he can get a Spiderman action figure. He didn't even ask us to get it for him. He's finally starting to figure it out. Yea!!

So, I guess I told a long story, but it boils down to this. We will not discuss our financial details with our kids. However, we will make sure that they know that we do not just have unlimited funds. It does not matter if we are rich or poor, they do not need to know. They just need to know that they will always be taken care of. No matter what.

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Frugal is being wise with your money and resources and cheap is forcing everyone else to.

Check out my blog, I'm starting to add more to it, as I can...www.ginnyv.com

We were taught the same way, our parents were very honest that there was not extra money for the luxuries, we also were taught to look after our clothes and toys very well - and still have some of them 20 years from now - which Im keeping for when my daughter gets the right age.

I intend to be the same way with my daughter, as most of my fondest memories with my parents is not of getting stuff or going to an expensive place - but doing things with my mom and dad.

My 6yr old daughter doesnt know completely about our finances, but I do let her know that "it isnt in our budget to get...." and she understands that, most of the time.