Every week $3 goes into Savings and $2 goes into Spending. Technically, our child who’s actually willing to work in order to earn money has a new framework for the wages she earns by doing one daily chore and, one chore, which occurs on a weekly basis. The rules say: She can spend Spending allowance at any time she wants. Savings must saved up to the threshold of $100 before any of it can be spent; and, she is allowed 75% of that once she’s accumulated at least $100. Are Hubby and I leaving anything out? Not accounting for anything? Though I don’t think I can technically recommend First Ask Why, based on my critique of it (SEE, my attached Synopsis: Book Dissection for First Ask Why), I HAVE to share how much I feel like Shelly Wildman’s exploration of financial stewardship has influenced the importance and urgency I feel about teaching our kids lessons on this topic.

It’s true that my husband (Math major and the one with actual experience to draw from, having been raised receiving an allowance; I did not) is making up most of the rules. I help push him to think through the details as we implement these new rules. And I am trying harder now to weigh in and be available for conversations concerning teaching the children about financial stewardship.

I’m SO truly THRILLED to see our new ways of parenting on this issue taking hold! I see the way it’s changing her thinking: It’s making her more thoughtful and appreciative. Without making it into an idol, I’m seeing her consider money. She’s starting to consider her decisions and to think in futuristic ways. She’s asking herself if she’s being too casual about her own hard work and its value. She’s beginning to understand that old cliche: Money, in fact, does not grow on trees.