Broken Piggy Bank

This summer we broke the piggy bank

This summer we broke the piggy bank!

For once we went for broke, it was time to enjoy the warm weather and celebrate life with a splurge!

Now that school is just around the corner its time to re-think the budget and get back on track with a solid financial plan.

The budget will need to cut expenses (money wasters) and find ways to save and invest money for future needs.

We had record breaking heat this summer!  The air conditioning was a necessity, but also a money loser.  Hopefully, the days of using the air conditioner are numbered.  In the coming weeks we hope to enjoy fresh air that doesn’t feel like a convection oven.  The savings on air conditioning will help to revive the piggy bank.

Back to school shopping is fun at the outlets!  We’ll make a day of it with  our coupons and text codes for deeper discounts.

Which reminds me….  kids will have a routine that involves lots of afterschool activities.  They will feel happier about hitting the books again and spending  free time on sports and other school activities.  This will reduce recreation fees  (for the most part).  The piggy is already getting fatter and the kids are getting more physically fit!

 

The end of summer signals the end of too much free time.  Free time – that’s got to be the greatest oxymoron of all!  Time is money!  This is true when money is:

• saved and is available for later use, rather than having to work to make it back again;
• invested and gains the value of compound interest (both the principal amount and interest mulitply money)
• donated and the world becomes a better place for everyone with a tax write off for the donor

 
The time value of money is important, but so is spending time with the loved ones, and doing the things that make life worthwhile. We make money to live, not live to make money.

This summer was a great one. Lots of sun and fun with family and friends. Lots of donating and giving away time, money and energy.

If the piggy get’s broken along the way, that’s okay. A piggy bank is not like humpty-dumpty (who could not be put back together again). We can rebuild the budget and make our bank “piggy” again.

************
You’re invited to preview a free chapter of my next book “LEMONADE SOLD OUT”. It’s based on a true story about an elementary school entrepreneur who makes friends, wise business decisions and a trip to the principal’s office.

Candi Sparks is the author of children’s books about money Can I Have Some Money?, Educating Children About Money, Max Gets It! and Nacho Money. She is the Brooklyn mother of two and is on Facebook (Candi Sparks, author) and Twitter (Candi Sparks, author). Her website is http://www.candisparks.com.