Is "Economy" a bad word?

I'm with you....when is this going to end?  Or, is this what will become normal?  I don't know about you, but I am getting just a little frustrated with the cost of everything rising while money coming in is a much more tenuous proposition.  There are so many without jobs and no prospect of work but groceries continue to cost more.  We recently became a "party of five" with the addition of our sweet baby boy.  Being the bargain hunter that I am, I have been researching where to get the best diaper deal.  At some point this summer, the companies that produce disposable diapers announced that they will be increasing their prices.  Have you tried to buy a big box of Pampers lately?  How much higher can they go?  I will not get on my gas and utilities soap box but you know where I could go with that.

As I begin talking to students about the economy, I typically ask, "what does the word economy mean?".  Depending on the age of the students, I can get some really cool answers like, "Budgeting, banks, money, saving, spending".  Now I get answers more along the lines of, "foreclosures, unemployment, layoffs, debt".  Do we have anything positive to say about the economy?  Well, depending on my mood, I would say that it is probably better than it could have been but not as good as it could be.  I am prayerful that the right lessons will be learned and people can and will shift their focus from money and bills and back to the really important things.  I am praying that I am teaching students now to be able to weather a bad economy and be responsible during a good one.  I pray that they will know that what goes up must come down and that the only constant is God's mercy.  Lastly, I pray that during this season, the word "economy" is not a bad word but rather a reality that is not to be feared if they have put their faith in the right place.  Welcome back!  (By the way, the best price on disposable diapers is on Amazon.com if you become an Amazon mom and use subscribe and save.  If anyone knows how to get cheaper electricity and water...I'm all ears!)

Second Graders are Busy Building Their Box Cities!

All we needed were some great business ideas, a few shoe boxes, some construction paper, and a lot of glue!   The second graders are well on their way to building their very own box cities.  Over the past few weeks, the second grade classes have discussed how people work to earn money.  They have also looked at their own existing skills and talents to identify different jobs that they could do right now.   That's right, we have budding entrepreneurs in the second grade!  To take the concept of entrepreneurship a step further, the second grade classes are building box cities that consist of businesses that they have identified based on their particular interests.  Next week all of their hard work will produce two fantastic box cities.  Come back to see all of the cool businesses we have in our cities!

Test Post

Nothing exciting...this is just a test!

My How Time Flies!

It is already October and I am making the first post of the new school year!!  Since my last post, it appears that the economy is not much better but it has also not gotten much worse.  I'm still thankful for what I have and don't spend much time lamenting over what I don't have or what I could have if the economy was in better shape.  It is what it is and I think we all realize there are no silver bullets to fix it.  So, what do we do?  Be thankful and thrifty.  I've already addressed the thankful part of the strategy.  There is no sense in complaining because there are no solutions there either....just ulcers.  So, how can you be more thrifty?  There are numerous articles on the subject but I would like to make one simple suggestion....use coupons for things you actually buy.  I used to clip coupons from the paper and would inevitably end up tempted to try the new-and-improved-hyacinth-scented-mold-mildew-soap-scum-remover or the new-no-calorie-tastes-just-like-krispy-kreme-donuts.  One purpose of coupon circulars is to get consumers to try the new product so essentially you are not really saving.  To find coupons for items you already purchase, you need a good coupon database.  Try The Krazy Koupon Lady.  It may seem a little overwhelming at first but I LOVE the variety and can usually find quite a few of my normal grocery items in their database.  One other feature I really like is their retail therapy.  The retail therapy section highlights deals from retailers....an awesome feature given the upcoming holiday season, don't 'cha think? 

That's it for now!  Remember, thankful and thrifty yields better results than....well, you fill in the blanks!

'Tis The Season!

Well, we are in the homestretch!  Counting down to the "big" day.  Waiting in anticipation for the 25th.  I'm excited about the season but I also have a love/hate relationship with this time of year.  I love the season and the warm feelings I get when I smell cider, sing along to my favorite holiday songs, see some of my favorite holiday shows (tie between Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and the Grinch that Stole Christmas), bake goodies for families and friends, and so on.  I love the Christmas plays at church, hearing the story of baby Jesus, anticipating the time to spend with family.  What I hate (ok, hate is a strong word, let's say "strongly dislike") is the focus on the presents and gifts.  The anticipation of worldly gifts is what makes the season is "over" on December 26th.  The gifts have been opened....everyone knows what they received for Christmas (or do they?).  What about the REAL joy of Christmas?  Aren't we celebrating Jesus' birthday?  Isn't that the gift that just keeps giving?  Why is it over on the 26th?

So here's the good news.   Our family is participating fully in the recession but I'm feeling more joy this year than in years past.  At some point, someone will call any financial hiccup a "correction".  This recession will certainly have a lasting effect on the real estate, investment, and banking industries but I'm praying that the bigger impact will be on our hearts.  This year, many of us have been forced to appreciate the more important things in life.  I would love to have a back splash in my kitchen but I'm more thankful to have a kitchen.  A new iPhone would be nice, but it is not necessary, mine works fine (mostly).  If you are finding yourself a little short on worldly riches this year, just take a moment to make a "wished list"; things that you may or may not have wished for but have been blessed with, regardless.  Everything I have is a blessing and don't want to stop feeling joyful about that fact.  Sure, I have things but I'm also blessed with family, friends, health, and salvation.  So on the 26th, I am going to keep celebrating.  Cider, Christmas songs, the Grinch, and goodies are seasonal but the true gift lives on past a date on the calendar.   Why don't you join me?

Second Grade Builds a City!!

In second grade, we begin the year talking about three things that you can do with money.  You can give, save, or spend money.  However, the first thing you have to do is get money.  We get money by working and as gifts.  As life goes on, we tend to get more money working than in any other way.  One way to earn money is by starting your own business.  This is where the fun begins!!!  The second grade classes first identified different businesses one could start in a town.  We have retail stores, car dealerships, elegant restaurants (yes, that is exactly how is was described), construction companies, supermarkets, and so on.  Shortly after that exercise, we started building our business with shoe boxes, construction paper, scissors, glue, crayons, markers, and a few imaginative props.  A mayor was appointed and responsible for "laying out" the city.  Needless to say, we had a lot of fun!  Click on the links below to tour the cities.  You may want to adjust your volume.

Welcome to Mrs. Young's Economics Class!

These days, I feel like a true commodity....yet someone else attempting to impart some knowledge about economics and personal finance. Teaching economics these days feels like stating the obvious, even to a 7-year old.  Even they know that something is just not right.

With so much information available, I often find myself sitting at home in my comfy chair (Archie Bunker style) with my laptop getting uncomfortably hot surfing the internet for various topics related to the economy.  I have been intrigued, shocked, saddened, angered, confused and entertained. Overwhelmingly, the most interesting source is the Bible. Why? Because it speaks plainly. Hedge funds and toxic assets are not specifically mentioned but giving, saving, spending, taxes, debt and greed certainly are.

I read countless blogs and articles about the state of our economy and participate in even more discussions with family and friends. A shortage of material is certainly not a problem. Knowing exactly what to say to our children, however, can sometimes be a little more difficult. So far, we have talked about the three things you can do with money (i.e., give, save, spend). We've discussed how we get money, how to develop human capital in preparation for obtaining a job, taxes (boy was that fun), why it is important to save, and we are just starting to discuss responsible spending.

I try to blend basic personal finance concepts with current events and Biblical references to provide a well rounded personal finance curriculum. However, children learn more about personal finance from their parents than from any other source. The purpose of this blog is to share what we are discussing in class and create the opportunity for additional learning and reinforcement at home. Here you will find information about what we are discussing in class.  Sometimes, I will reflect on a particular discussion, post pictures of student projects, post discussions on a particular subject, or...who knows?  The idea is to really share information based on what we are doing in class.  I am not an expert but I am certain that we are living in a significant point in history; a turning point. Welcome along for the ride!