It's all about the Money- Or is it? Raising Money Savvy but Kind Children

Noodle (4) has been very interested in the concept of money, buying and selling lately. At the tills at the shops, she insists on paying and then counting the change. She has quirky questions like how one would pay for a bed or a car- she was concerned that the till would break when you place these items on the counter. 

Noodle had an interesting get rich plan yesterday. We would photocopy our money and amass a fortune of wealth, which would then be squandered on a mountain load of toys and sweets.

Picture courtesy of SARB

I thought this current fascination with money would present an interesting opportunity for some lessons:

• In order to explain to Noodle why her photocopy money get-rich plan would not work (other than the obvious sheer criminal element and that there are no instant get rich fixes in real life), we turned to our dear friend Google to learn more about what makes our money unique. Even I learnt a little bit about the special paper used, the hidden watermarks (like the image of Mandela that appears if you hold the note to the light), the metallic line, the words SARB and the Rand amount which appears in this line, the raised print for the visually impaired and other security features of our South African bank notes.
•  We used monopoly money to play 'shop' and she was required to count out the right sum of money to buy her teddy bears from my 'toy store' (we previously played a more simplistic version of this out in the garden, where leaves were used as currency- her idea). She also had to count that she is giving me the right amount of money and check whether she was getting enough change (great early maths lesson as well).
•  We have also been showing Noodle the benefits of saving, eg. she could get a sweet today or keep her money to get an even better toy after a week, or do simple chores to 'earn' money. She knows about bank accounts and that this is where most of her savings go.

These basic lessons in economics are crucial life skills, given that Cambridge studies have shown that childrens' life spending patterns are already set for life by the age of seven.  Being surrounded by people in the debt trap, we have always been careful to teach our children the value of money, the difference between wants and needs, the importance of saving and of not wasting the earth's limited resources. 

However, as important as the above lessons are,  we are always sure to reinforce that while money can buy certain material comforts, the things most important cannot be bought and no price can be placed on these things. 

We want to strike a balance and raise children who are money wise, responsible spenders and we certainly do not want to raise children who are bratty and entitled. We want them to be conscious that there are many less privileged than us and practice sharing, kindness and being charitable. The ultimate goal is of course to raise kind and caring individuals and this is worth more than all the money in the world.

The Jozi WAHM's Ultimate Guide to Budget Shopping in Jozi

In Jozi, we are fortunate to have plenty of options when it comes to shopping. However, this can also cause a drain on ones budget if you are not shopping savvy. From physical retailers, online shopping and even shopping on gumtree.co.za, here is how to get the most bang for your buck in the city of gold.

Grocery Shopping

We have a few tips for getting the most out of your grocery budget:

First of all, have a budget and stick to it religiously. There is one exception to the rule- when you find a sale that is too good to miss and it is something you will use and would have bought anyway, just in smaller quantities later on. The items I typically shop around for and then stockpile when cheap are larger ticket non-perishables such as nappies and washing powder which are significantly cheaper on sale.

However, there are some things to avoid when it comes to buying on sale. Be wary of falling into the trap of buying things that you otherwise would not have just because they are cheap (even if those marked down chocolates are screaming your name). Also, be cautious of buying stuff that you will not use up before they expire, as you will not be saving anything if half is thrown away. Lastly, while it is sometimes worth your while to shop around when some things are cheaper at one store than another, work out the value of your petrol (and time) and do the maths as to whether you are actually saving. 

When you head to the grocery store, make sure you do not do so on an empty stomach as this is sure to result in impulse purchases.

Look out for coupon discounts. While we do not have those crazy discounts you see on those American couponing reality shows (unless there is something I do not know- in which case please tell me!), you can save some money with coupons. You can download the Shoprite and Checkers apps for digital coupons, or look on the Unilever website. Pick 'n Pay now sends personalised coupons (I was freaked out the first time I received one because it was so tailor-made to me that it felt like they were stalking me a bit, but at least they send vouchers you will actually use). Again, when using these coupons, avoid falling into the trap of buying things you do not need and would not otherwise have bought.

Clothing shopping

With children's clothing, it is well worth waiting for end of season sales and buying neutral staples which will not go out of fashion in a bigger size for the following season. Branded items are often significantly cheaper at factory shops. It is also worthwhile checking what is available online.

Online shopping

Online stores are often able to offer better prices due to not having to have physical store premises. You also save on petrol and time going to a physical store (not to mention the frustration of having an emergency nappy change or hungry child just as you get to the front of a long queue).

Look out for voucher codes- stores like Kalahari, Takealot, Zando, Spree and BabyGroup often have substantial discount voucher codes- just Google the voucher codes for the relevant store online. Look out for periods when there are no delivery fee, or wait till you need enough from the relevant store to qualify for a waiver of the delivery fee.

Buying and selling second hand

Things that will only be used for a short period of time (for example baby goodies) are often far cheaper if you buy them secondhand, using an established site such as Gumtree (where you can literally find everything under the sun). For armchair shoppers, this is ultra convenient since you can compare prices for new and used items and get a good feeling for what the best prices out there are and whether new or used is the way to go.

It is also worth your while to sell larger items that you no longer use on sites such as Gumtree. You will de-clutter while cashing in (to get money to buy more stuff on Gumtree of course) and someone else will get to use items that would otherwise have collected dust. 

They even have a very user friendly Android app which allows you to find advertisements for goods (or service providers) located in your vicinity from your smartphone. 

This is how easy it is to place an ad on Gumtree via the app

Gumtree sometimes gets an unfair reputation for scams, but remember it is a convenient platform for you to buy and sell. They just provide the market place to enable transactions, putting you in touch with other buyers and sellers and you can use this as you see fit.  You should ensure that this platform is used responsibly (exercise caution in providing personal details such as bank account details to others, if selling do not send the item before receiving payment and if purchasing something in person, meet in a public place and take someone with you). Provided these precautions are taken, you are promised a happy shopping experience and an opportunity to save on items which otherwise would have costed significantly more.

The Jozi WAHM's Guide to Budget Outings with Kids in Jozi

As school holidays near, moms who are at home will be tasked with keeping children busy and stimulated. While there is plenty to do at home, cabin fever is likely to ensue at some point and a few outings are needed for your own sanity. Some fun places to take the kids can be found here (at a fee). Unfortunately, most of us cannot afford to splurge on expensive outings everyday, so here are some ideas on places to go with your kids without breaking the bank.

The park

It may be hard to believe, but there are a few nice FREE parks scattered around Johannesburg if you search hard enough.  Look out for those that have undergone the City of Joburg's Extreme Park Makeover challenge. We have a park within walking distance which is okay, but some of our favourites are Mushroom Park in the middle of Sandton (opposite the Radisson Hotel) and Rose Park in Lenasia.

The great outdoors

Jozi was once said to be the greenest city with the most open areas in the world (I am not sure if that record still stands) and we have plenty of nature in the city. 

The Zoo Lake, Delta Park (both of which have amazing play areas), Emmarentia Dam and accompanying botanical gardens, the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens, the Melville Koppies (which has weekend tours), the Bunny Park in Benoni and Rietvlei Dam in the south of Johannesburg are some that come to mind. 

Note: some of these charge a nominal entrance fee, while most are completely free (save for maybe some stale bread to feed ducks with).

Play area at Delta Park

Zoo Lake play area

The library

There is no better gift to a child than instilling a love of reading and a membership at your local municipal library is absolutely free for children and no longer even requires payment of a membership fee and will allow little ones to take out three books. Despite many of the books showing their age, there is a great variety of books to choose from and children will be happy with the selection.

One proviso- if your child is not old enough to stay quiet for a few minutes, a trip to the library is likely to earn you the stare of death for anyone seeking solitude there. While Noodle eagerly looks forward to library trips, I think it will still be a while until I am ready to brave a trip to the library with Squish.

Kid's Section at Emmarentia Library

Your local public swimming pools

We are lucky enough to have a pool at home, but if you do not, a trip to the local public swimming pool can be great fun for kids.

Ice-cream

 An ice-cream cone at franchises like KFC, Steers or McDonald's is still under R5. For most kids, a trip to get ice-cream is a treat in itself. 

Volunteering

For older kids, it is a good idea to get them involved in some kind of volunteer work, whether it be on a formal basis or even just helping out a neighbour. 

P.S. Jozi WAHM would love to here some of your suggestions for budget trips in and around Johannesburg, so please do share some of these in the comments section.

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