Posts tagged as:

parenting

What’s a babysitter worth?

September 1, 2011

Among parents, questions abound these days about what to pay babysitters, especially if babysitting is frequently required within a household. Answers are available. There are norms providing guidelines. But before I get to them, I’d like to offer a few comments about the subject in general. With babysitting, it’s not just a matter of getting [...]

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Yes, it’s a word that comes in handy now and then: No.

June 28, 2011

Around the office, I’m known as a stern and frugal manager concerning cash outlays. If certain parties, say business suppliers, don’t have a thoroughly convincing case for why they want me to give them more money for some reason or other, I don’t hesitate to say no. Period. So why is it that I sometimes [...]

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Smart kid. Smart money. Kayla’s story.

June 2, 2011

Consider a teenager who for the sake of today’s discussion I will call her Kayla. She is 14 years old, and she is a living, breathing example of a savvy money manager. In fact, she started demonstrating personal money management skills at age three. Does that make her a child prodigy like Pablo Picasso, who [...]

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Are you an indulgent parent?

March 4, 2011

One day on a crowded bus I overheard one woman talking to another about how she was indulging her children.  The conversation went on about how this woman was giving into her children’s every whim from exclusive (read expensive) summer camps, to laptops, to cell phones, to bedroom makeovers etc. I couldn’t believe my ears. [...]

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Ka-ching. Ka-ching. Ka-ching. Happy birthday.

February 28, 2011

Planning an intimate birthday party for your young son or daughter? For that special day, why not give your child and a few of his or her close friends $100 each, take them on a shopping spree, then wrap up the event at a rented venue with a feast that’s fit for a monarch. Or, [...]

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To teach financial literacy, get ‘em while they’re young

January 14, 2011

I have always felt that financial wellbeing and personal wellbeing are connected.  Over the many years at Credit Canada, I have witnessed individuals and families fall apart over money issues. There is no doubt that sound money management  and good financial literacy skills can offer great peace of mind including better relationships, improved health and [...]

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Cute nephew seeks new aunt. Must love losing, spending and the park.

July 19, 2010

Last weekend my nephew flew into a fit of embittered rage after I beat him three games straight at table top hockey.  Not once has he beaten me at anything, not even hide and seek because that’s the kind of aunt I am.  He’s five.  Maybe I should let him win once in a while [...]

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