Why would you want to teach your children to be frugal?
Here are some reasons I try to live frugally:
- Living within our means makes it possible for me to stay home with my children.
- It’s kind of exciting to get something for free or nearly free.
- It’s even more exciting to use scraps and leftovers to make soup, quiche, or a casserole. It feels like making a feast out of nothing.
- It makes life easier, because we’re not trying to keep up with every fad that appears.
But there’s only one thing I truly want my children to learn in this area:
5. Being frugal makes it possible to be more generous. It means our home can be free of excess stuff — so we can invite people in. It means we recognize it when we have enough clothes — so we can give to someone in need. It means we’re not running around trying to buy more and better — so we can be home creating gifts for others.
I think that’s one GREAT reason to teach frugal living, don’t you?
This post is part of a series at The Momma Knows. Follow the link to read other ‘ABC’s of Home Schooling’ posts.
Give Away Seven a Day 
So very true. I don’t think most people realize just how “freeing” it is not to be in debt over “stuff.” Thanks for posting!
Debt= bad.
Freedom= good!
Lots of things to like about being frugal. I think one thing I like about being frugal with my kids is that it gives them skills so that when life gets tough for them as adults they will have some options available to them. Everybody goes through flush times and down times. It comforts me to think that I am training them for those down times in their lives. I can’t prevent them, but I can prepare them.
Very true, Cristy! If they’re already prepared for tough financial times, those times won’t catch them off-guard.
I agree! I think that hospitality is a very good reason to live frugally! We have also been on a purge and simplify path, maybe not as intentionally as you have been, but it has resulted in many, many vanloads of things being taken to donate, as well as filling the trash and having a yard sale. I’m all about downsizing! Love your F!
Thanks, Dawn! I’ve always wanted to practice hospitality… but never felt comfortable inviting people over, especially on the spur of the moment. That’s been a HUGE benefit in our downsizing this year. Huge, and completely unexpected.
Yes, I certainly agree. I’m very frugal in my cooking, but I have trouble with the boys’ toys. There are too many just from all the years, but they do use them as we rotate them. Still, so many days I just want to chuck the whole lot! And I’m sure I need to teach them better to recognize when they have enough and when they can give some or toss some. Thanks for the reminder. Visiting from ABC’s of Homeschooling.
Toys are tough! I haven’t insisted that my kids get rid of toys, as long as they’re put away at the end of the day. I *have* gotten much more consistent about giving away toys they’ve outgrown. There will always be “good” toys available, even when I’m a grandma, so I don’t have to keep everything for who-knows-how-many years!
Rotating is a good system. It always feels like the toys are new… and gives me a chance to give away the outgrown ones before I rotate them back into play.
Agreed! Great thoughts and great lessons. Especially #5. Here from the ABC’s of Homeschooling.
Thanks, Amber! And I enjoyed your post about fidgety kids. 🙂
I especially like your #5! We are working with the kids about letting go of things that they don’t use or wear anymore. We currently have a couple of large boxes ready to go to Goodwill. Frugal is definitely a great F!