My Receipt!

We are trying to teach our children the value of money.

They have chores they have to do every day which are an expectation -- dress themselves, brush their teeth, clear their places from the table, pick up toys in the house and the yard, and help feed the animals.  Those are expectations.

The fact that our dishwasher stopped working presented a chance for them to earn some extra money over the past week.  Since there can really only be one washer and one dryer, I also created some other opportunities for extra chores to earn money.

The kids were charged with picking up the basement -- which was a DISASTER, and rewarded with $2 each for that job -- because it was a huge job.  In addition, one day I had to fold MOUNTAINS of clean laundry which resulted in a tremendous amounts of folded piles of laundry which needed to be put away properly.

The twins each $.10 per trip upstairs to put away laundry and Lee Lee earned $.01 per trip.

Caroline walked way with $2.40

Howard walked way with $1.60

and Lee Lee cashed in with $0.08.

All of those chores led to a discussion about money -- how many coins equal bills, how many bills equal bigger bills... and the greatest excitement -- how and where they were allowed to spend their earned money.

We tallied up everyone's piggy banks, and discussed how much money they might want to take to a dollar store in Grand Junction and how much money they might want to put "In The Bank" (Daddy's safe) for another time.

After much deliberation, Tracey, Howard, and Caroline each decided to take $6 to the dollar store with Daddy in Grand Junction.

I stayed home with Lee Lee and Hunter, so I don't know everything that transpired in the store, but I do know that Howard happily came home with a new basketball and hoop that cost $6.  Tracey came home with a set of stickers, markers, tattoos and jewels and a pack of candy purchased with her $6.  And Sweet Caroline bought a Mickey and Minnie painting set and a bag of candy.

Howard even ran in to greet me saying, "Here is my receipt!!"

Lee Lee with her pennies!