when peer pressure is positive, it’s called peer support! september 2 013
TRANSCRIPT
Top 5 Reasons to Join the Monthly Support Network Calls
Learn new and creative strategies for family strengthening and support
Build a stronger community of peers
Be a change maker and let your voice be heard
Develop more tools for your toolbox
Learn healthful strategies for work-life balance
Family Friendly Budgeting: Part 1
10 Tips & Techniques on Budget Basics Every Parent
Should Know
Developed from How Stuff Works
Leveraging Your Trusted Relationship to Help Build
Economic Self-Reliance
What percentage of families access services such as:Housing AssistanceUtility Assistance
Food PantryClothing Closet
What percentage of families experience stress related to:
UnemploymentTransportation
Affordable Childcare
Trusted RelationshipWhether you are helping a family with
emergency assistance, completing the Colorado Family Support
Assessment, or creating a family development plan…
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCEJUST BY STARTING THE CONVERSATION
Family Support & EncouragementUnderstanding finances can be complicatedPlanning and restricting spending can be
challengingSetting aside budgeting time and having
self-discipline can be difficultTrying to foster financial discipline with
children while navigating today’s commercialized society can feel almost impossible
Families need positive encouragement, family-friendly resources, and do-able
budgeting strategies
10. Tracking Family Income & Expenses
Budget Basics:Use last three months of
income and expenses
Gather bank statements, paystubs, and bills
Start collecting receipts ahead of time if possible
More detailed you can get, the better you can assess where your money goes
9. Assess NEEDS Versus WANTS
Key strategy is to draw some hard lines between what the family needs and what it merely wants
Must be decided by the family, for the family
Examples include decisions on food, clothing, internet access
Create prioritized list for each
8. Plan Your Spending and Set Goal
Once the monthly spending habits are known and a list of prioritized needs and wants, next is
the necessary step of planning your budget 1.If your loosing money and digging into debt, the
first priority will be to limit spending and start saving- first savings goal should be an emergency fund
2.Consider options to improve income- work overtime, ask for a raise, take a second job or a new job
3.When possible, focus on long term financial security that involves setting bigger goals
7. Use Grocery Lists Food is often one of the biggest necessary
expenses for familiesFood planning lets families maximize their
spending power, eat well, and avoid overspending on last minute expensive prepared food
Making grocery lists are essential to a food budget
Keep a supply of fruits, veggies, grains as staples in house
Involve family in the planning!
6. Research Best PricesSet aside time to list the food products
typically bought to compare costs amongst your favorite stores
Don’t stress over individual items that result in extra time taking trips to multiple stores
Save money and buy seasonal produce A smart shopper is a frugal shopper- for any
item being purchased!
5. Use Coupons Find coupons for items already planning to
buySign-up for preferred customer discountsOn-line websites, email updates, phone
appsBuy discounted gift cards and make
purchases during seasonal clearances
Keys to coupon savings are flexibility and organization
4. Use Hand-me-downs and Buy Used
Cost of clothes for growing children can rack up with each new season requiring different items
The ritual of hand-me-downs, passing clothes down from one child to another, is a great way to encourage family unity, cooperation, and save $$$
Thrift stores and consignment shops are great places to find bargains on new and used clothes- and goes beyond clothes into furniture and other household items.
Remember shops have weekly specials!!!
3. Revisit the Family BudgetKey to budgeting- recheck how you’re
doing!Families with busy schedules can easily
lose track of certain expenses After first month, sit down again and see
how you did as a familyDon’t be too hard on yourselfMight need to revaluate from over or under
estimating expenses, or to plan for seasonal expenses
2. Redo the Budget When the Situations Changes
In the chaos of family life, it seems the only things that’sconstant is changeBiggest and most dramatic changes usually
have to do with loosing and switching jobsThis directly influences income which affects
your budget Whenever long-term goals change, revisit
your budget to re-evaluate your situation
1. Involve the Children
Many parents worry that starting a budget will upset their children and family peace
If kids aren’t used to hearing “no”, it will certainly be an adjustment to learn money is tight
Instead of letting the budget be a burden on the family relationship, use it as an opportunity to teach about financial discipline
Budgeting is something the whole family can learn and work at together
1. Involve the ChildrenTo keep things positive, avoid the word “no”.
Instead when a child asks for things, tell them to keep a list of what they want and prioritize the list
Later, the family can revisit the list and talk about it
Older children and teens can learn money management by being given a precise budget for their essential purchases, like clothing
In the end, the budget is a blessing. Kids and parents alike will ultimately learn a deeper appreciation for the things they have. And the communal struggle could make your family closer than ever.
Open Q&A
What questions would you like to ask other family workers?
What story would you like to share?
What resources would help you in your work with families?
Peer-to-Peer Sharing
Portal Resources Collaboration >
Family Resource Center Association > Community Library > Family Development > Family Development Support Network Support Network PowerPoint Training Templates Support Materials