High School Students Work to End Human Trafficking

Hope for Slaves

Last week, I wrote about Raising Charitable Kids and Teens.  The response to that particular post has been wonderful.  This week I want to tell you about a group of high school students who are working to end human trafficking.  The group is from Reading High School in Reading, Ohio.  They, in conjunction with Westwood schools from Camilla, Georgia, are working to raise awareness of modern slavery and are raising money to support individuals and families who have been rescued from slavery.  Here is the press release that they sent me:

Wrapping Up Financial Literacy Month

from 401Kcalculator.org

April is Financial Literacy Month in the United States.  The Jumpstart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy  describes this month as a time to "draw attention to the importance of financial literacy and the need for more and better financial education through a variety of activities and initiatives." 

To celebrate Financial Literacy month, I have gathered 30 activities, one for each day of the month, that you can do with your child or teen to help start them on a path of financial responsibility.  Here is the final installment.

Family Earth Day Activities

Earth Day is almost here!  The official date is April 22, 2012.  Reducing waste, recycling and reusing items can save you money, teach your kids to save some money and help out old Mother Earth in the process.  Take a moment out of your busy weekend and try one of these activities to celebrate Earth Day.

Raising Charitable Kids & Teens

The April Edition of Teaching Your Kids about Money

Teaching your Kids about Money is a comprehensive guide for teaching your child or teen about money management and financial literacy. At the beginning of each month in 2012, I will give you more information and tips about introducing these topics in your family and will share some practical ideas for implementing these concepts into your everyday life. For previous months' topics, click here.

Part of learning to handle money in a responsible manner is also learning how to be charitable and giving in nature.  I would venture a guess that no parent wants their child to become a miser and act like Ebenezer Scrooge, but parents may worry that if they focus too much on financial concepts their child might become overly fanatic about money.  Striking a balance between managing their own money and helping others is yet another skill that takes practice. 

As with many money management concepts, there are differing opinions and methods.  The key is to find the approach or combination of approaches that works in your family and that matches your family’s values.  I have seen two fundamental approaches to getting kids involved in charitable giving.

Financial Literacy Month: Week #3, Daily Tips & Activities

from 401kcalculator.org

April is Financial Literacy Month in the United States.  The Jumpstart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy  describes this month as a time to "draw attention to the importance of financial literacy and the need for more and better financial education through a variety of activities and initiatives."  

To celebrate Financial Literacy month, I have gathered 30 activities, one for each day of the month, that you can do with your child or teen to help start them on a path of financial responsibility.  Here is the third installment.

Week of April 16th - 22nd

Sunday Funnies #9 - Wacky Hair Edition

Let's take a look at some interesting hairstyles this week!  Take a peek at these...

from cookipediachef's pictures on flickr.com

SheWill, Inc. Provides Financial Literacy for Girls, Ages 8 - 17

I would like to introduce you to one of my new financial literacy friends, Sheena Williams.  Sheena is the young woman behind SheWill, Inc., an organization dedicated to preparing young girls for "successful, career oriented futures free from debt and irresponsible financial decisions."  I originally met Sheena on Twitter, but since she is in the Atlanta area, we have met for breakfast several times and have become good friends.  Sheena is truly passionate about teaching financial literacy to young girls and this passion shines through in her work.

Financial Literacy Month: Tips and Activities, Round 2

photo from taxcredits.net on flickr

April is Financial Literacy Month in the United States.  The Jumpstart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy  describes this month as a time to "draw attention to the importance of financial literacy and the need for more and better financial education through a variety of activities and initiatives."  

To celebrate Financial Literacy month, I have gathered 30 activities, one for each day of the month, that you can do with your child or teen to help start them on a path of financial responsibility.  Here is the second installment.

Sunday Funnies #8

Happy Easter everyone!  Take a little break from hunting the eggs and have a laugh...

from geraldbrazell's photos on flickr.com

Pam's Picks: April 7, 2012

Should you let your child make money mistakes?  Alisa Weinstein says you should.  She gives some great pointers on the Nightly Business Report blog.

What do your kids know about credit cards?  Danny Kofke shares a recent credit card lesson for his daughter on One Money Design.

I am always looking for articles that tell me the right things to do with my kids so they will grow up to be financially responsible.  It was fun to see a humorous, sarcastic spin on this topic in 8 Tips for Raising Money Dumb Kids on FiveCentNickel.com.

Geoff Williams thought his daughter was learning all about business and finances when she participated in the school's Entrepreneur Day.  He later discovered that the school left out one little aspect of  business finances that cost him some dough.  He shared his story in "Teaching your kids financial literacy without going broke yourself on FiveCentNickel.com.

Can you learn a lifelong savings lesson at the age of 7?  Thad did...and he shared his story in Learning to Save on ThadThoughts.com.

Ever wondered how much of your financial situation you should share with your children?  Family Money Values takes a close look at this and gives us some advice for the different stages of life.

Other great reads from around the blogosphere...
Advice for new bloggers on Passive Income to Retire
Adventures in Lottery Playing by DQYDJ.net
6 Free Financial Resources by Master the Art of Saving
When the Student Loan Bubble Bursts on Faith and Finance
Why Credit Cards are Dangerous for Students by My University Money


Thanks to the following for including MoneyTrail:
Saturday Evening Post(s) #8 by ThadThoughts.com
The DQYDJ Weekender Week of 3/25/12
Carnival of Financial Camaraderie #26 hosted by My University Money
Yakezie Carnival:  the Early Spring Jump edition hosted by Money Reasons
Carnival of Financial Planning 229 hosted by Married with Debt.

I love to give credit when another blog mentions MoneyTrail.  If I have missed putting you on my "thank you" list, please let me know!

Five Last Minute Easter Activities

This week has been Spring break for my four kids.  We had grand visions of doing several of the stay-cation ideas from last week’s blog.  Our plan was to have a cook out, take a hike, hang out with friends and end the week with an Easter trip to see visit my kids’ grandparents.  But…life intervened.  More sicky germs have invaded our home…cough, fever, vomiting…BLAH!

The healthy people in my house have done a few things.  We roasted marshmallows one night and the kids have, at various times, been able to hang out with their buddies.  The trip to visit the grandparents, however, has been cancelled.  Now I find myself approaching Easter weekend with nothing planned!  I am “scrambling” to find “eggscellent”, easy activities to do with my little chickies! (Ok…I’ll stop with the Easter humor.)

Here are five of my favorite, last minute Easter activities:

Financial Literacy Month: Tips & Activities for Kids & Teens

Images_of_Money on flickr.com

April is Financial Literacy Month in the United States.  The Jumpstart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy  describes this month as a time to "draw attention to the importance of financial literacy and the need for more and better financial education through a variety of activities and initiatives."  
To celebrate Financial Literacy month, I have gathered 30 activities, one for each day of the month, that you can do with your child or teen to help start them on a path of financial responsibility.  Here is the first installment.

Week of April 1 - 8:

Sunday Funnies #7

It's April Fools Day!  The fun and festivities have already started at my house.  One of my son's left wild onions on his sister's pillow a few days ago.  She retaliated last night my putting vasoline on their door knobs and toilet papering one of their bedrooms.  It could be a really interesting day around here!  Here's a few more photos from previous pranks that my darling children have pulled on us.