Did My Parents Teach Me Right?
I grew up as a Missouri farm kid. There wasn’t much money but lots of chores – both inside and outside the home – and certainly no allowance. I had a piggy bank for small savings. And yes, my dad gave...
View ArticleI Need It!
Or is it – I WANT it? For many of us, spending is the fun part of having money. Sometimes we do a good job of making spending decisions and other times, we probably could do better. Our kids are no...
View ArticleStorms of life…
A wild ‘Dust-nado’ that sent the town/schools scrambling a few weeks ago and the topic of Divorce made me think about how we cope with ‘storms’ of life. In a sense we begin coping with all storms the...
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Who left the lights on?
How many times do you walk in a room where the lights are on but no one is there? It’s so easy to flip the switch and yes, we’re spoiled by the instant light. I wonder what it was like to light a lamp,...
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A Vampire Named Energy
During October we are surrounded by visions of vampires – costumes and advertisements and TV shows. But have you considered that vampires are with us every day of the year in the form of energy...
View ArticleWhat Do I Get the Grandkids?
I’ve got my list and I’m checking it twice. No, I’m not the jolly old Santa whose lap the kids climb on with those endless “I want” lists. Rather I am the Grandmother wondering what I can get the...
View ArticleWhat Do Children Really Want? What Do They Really Need?
The cost of raising children is expensive. It’s an art and a skill to balance the child’s wants, needs, and desires, with your financial means. But, sadly the emotional and social impacts of these...
View ArticleTalk to Kids About Money
Many parents think they can hide financial stress from their children, but the kids always know – and they’re worried, too. Talking together openly about family finances is a better way to lower...
View ArticleThe Tall Tale of a Bank Robbery…
Guest blogger, Carol Ehlers shares insight with us on talking about money with children. There we were at the bank, my 5 year old daughter and I, on a Saturday morning watching 40 pounds of coins be...
View ArticleMoney and Goals
Do you remember taking an economics class in school? What did you think about that class? Some will remember becoming dizzy by the numbers, others may have thought it was boring, and others may have...
View ArticleFinancial Lessons for Kids
Science of Parenting live interview with Quad Cities television station. Click here Janet SmithJanet Smith is a Human Science Specialist-Family LIfe with Iowa State University Extension and...
View ArticleFamily Finances in the New Year
As the New Year approaches, are you writing down some goals or resolutions? Each year, I try to identify one or two new things I want to try, or do differently. I often use the beginning of the New...
View ArticleKeep it Fiscally Healthy this Holiday Season
Guest blogger Mary Weinand, Human Sciences Specialist, shares some important helpful ideas for fiscal health this holiday season. Each year at Holiday season we are flooded with articles and advice on...
View ArticleThe Language of Money
As we continue our conversation with Human Sciences Family Finance Specialist Mary Weinand, she reminds us how important financial literacy is and even recommends a few children’s books. I believe...
View ArticleHelp Young Children Form Positive Financial Habits
Guest blogger and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Human Sciences Specialist in Family Finance, Sandra McKinnon shares some compelling information on youth and financial literacy. Children...
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