The first thing I did Monday morning was to apply for a Ontario driver’s license, so that I would have an ID with an Ottawa address, we had a rental car so that worked out well.  We went to get a library card and get some books for the kids to read and got some information about the story time.  So on Wednesday I took Natalie to story time while the boys just hung out to read at the childrens’ section.

The movies here are all free too, so I have request some for myself and Kyle since we have no TV, I don’t miss it at all though.  We keep ourselves so busy with the homeschooling and the kids playing that no one really misses it.  The Carlingwood library has such a great selection of books and audios too.  I have borrowed french and mandarin audios for the kids to listen to.  It is great as they can listen and play at the same time.

I guess I never really appreciated the library before, they have museum passes for the family.  There is no cost to these passes and it admits a family of 5.  But since they are so popular, there is a long wait list for them.  I have put my request in, I am about 150 on the wait list, wonder when I will get the pass…

We sold most of our stuff before coming to Winnipeg and kept all the good items.  As a buyer, garage sales are great but as a seller this is not the best case.  So yesterday I took some of the better items to a consignment store.  It isn’t actually a consignment store, the owner Gary buys the items from you and then sells it.  Actually better than a consignment store, you get your money right away. I think he started as a consignment store but now only buys from the customers and sell it.  The store is AAA consignment, on 1857 Portage Avenue, telephone number is 204-888-9191.  It is the only store in the city that sells used household good.  Check it out, there is some great furnishings, household goods and trinkets too.

I am keeping all my Tupperware and pot and pans.  That I cannot get rid of.  Joel has brought his train set over to sell and we have clothes, household items, and the kids have gone through their toys to get rid of some stuff.  They are going to have a lemonade stand with rice crispes for sale.  The little entrepreneur in them.  So if anyone is around, come check it out.  Someone junk could be anothers treasure.

We went to watch Wizard of Oz the last time and the kids had a blast.  What a deal, a cheap activity to as a family on a Saturday morning.  The address is 2190 McGillivray Blvd.

The movies and times are as follows:

Over the hedge 9am

Grease 9:15am

Land before Time 9:30am

Flipper 9:45am

ET 10am

Bussiness Sign

Later on in the evening, I saw them take a picture of someone in the living room and also realized that there was money transaction.  I asked him about it and he told me that he was charging people $1 for their picture to be taken.  At first I thought, “is this ok?”  Then I realized that the people who were having their pictures taken were consenting adults who can make their own decisions and could say no to the kids.

Before they went to bed, Matthew told me he made $1 in his “business”.  I asked him how much they made in total.  They made $4, so each kid made $1 that went into their money jars.  As you can see in the poster, there is the word free that is scratched off so I asked Matthew who’s idea it was to charge money and he said that it was his.  My little entrepreneur.  Funny, he just asked me the definition of entrepreneur today too.

As it was getting warmer, above freezing everyday, I wasn’t too sure whether to purchase it.  He really wanted it.  I figured that there was still some snow on the ground and the lady would deliver it, and they would have a chance to experience it.  She delivered it on Sunday, we went out on the hill on Monday and Tuesday and the kids just loved it.  Tuesday night they prayed that there would still be snow on the hill on Wednesday so that Daddy could watch them when he returned that night.  So on Wednesday, they went for their last snowboarding experience.  Since Kyle had the camera, I wasn’t able to video tape them till he returned.

Now that they have all tired it, we have decided to go on a winter vacation to a resort to learn to snowboard and ski.  I think I can handle that!

Here is our end of winter video…

The children do not have a lot of wants or needs so we did not start an allowance earlier.  It was tough to decide how much to give.  We talked to different people and got different ideas.  We knew how we were going to divide the money for savings and spending etc but how much money would be good?  Since we were giving Matthew an allowance, we decided to give one to Natalie and Andrew too.  So we gave them 50cents per year of the child’s age.  Natalie(4) got $2 a week, Andrew(6) $3 a week and Matthew (8) gets $4 a week.

We keep a paper record where the kids calculate the amounts and write them in themselves.  It also gives them the ability to understand what they are doing exactly.  Click here to download a spreadsheet..  It is based on the theory from T Harv Eker and his book Secrets of the Millionaire Mind: Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth

Here are the definitions of the acronyms and a brief description – As kids do not have to pay for any necessities, the division of our money is different from the kids.

Giving (5%)

We need to share our wealth with others and the kids need to understand that from an early age.  When we give, we will receive many times over whether it is monetary or otherwise.

Education (10%)

This is for them to spend on bettering themselves, for workbooks, going on a specific course of buying a learning tool of some sort.  It is self explanatory.

Play (20%)

This amount has to be spent every month.  They can spend it on whatever they want and we have no say.  This money is for them to blow, even if it is impulse spending.  They need to understand how it feels.  If they save and save and save without spending, they won’t learn to appreciate it.

LTSFS Long Term Savings For Spending (30%)

The LTSFS is where the kids have to save up for a bigger item.  In this way they do not end up purchasing an impulse item.  When people talk about picking something out and then waiting for 24hours before making the purchase to make sure it is something you really want, the saving up time will give the kids time to make that decision.  An example for adults is to save up for that vacation or that new pair of shoes.  Smaller scale for the kids.

FFA Financial Freedom (35%)

This is where the kids save their money to grow.  This is basically the golden goose, you do not kill the goose so you cannot spend the money in this account.  The money is used for investments or any other money making vehicle.

Save Money

We Winnipegers are always looking for deals include me.  I love to save money and this week I am going to share the deals I have found with you.  Check our my blog post Monday to Friday this week for some good deals.  Share them all with your friends in Winnipeg and enjoy the savings/deals.