For Your Journal: Writing Prompt
Do you keep a journal – or wish you could get one started? Literary Mama wants to help.
Three times a month, I’ll post a writing prompt. Open a notebook and write for 10 minutes. Don’t worry about grammar or punctuation – just write. Then let the writing simmer and your mind wander for awhile.
And who knows? Maybe you’ll discover a character for your next short story or a theme for a narrative essay. Or maybe you’ll use the idea to create a special holiday card or photo album for someone in your family. However you decide to use your journal entry, I know you’ll enjoy re-reading it months–and years–down the road.
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According to the Charles Schwab 2011 Teens and Money Survey:
Fewer teens ages 16 to 18 know how to balance a checkbook or check the accuracy of a bank statement today than they did in 2007.
Teens expect a starting salary of $73,000 (average) and expect to earn $150,000 (average) once they’re established in a career.
More teens can tell you what an iPod costs than can tell you the price of a gallon of milk or their monthly cell phone bill.
“But the good news is that three out of four say that learning about money management is one of their top priorities,” reports Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, senior vice president of Schwab Community Services.
“As parents, I think we can do a better job of not only communicating conceptual information, but also teaching practical money skills,” she adds. “Sharing how much we ourselves spend on necessities such as groceries, gas and insurance, as well as on extras such as clothing and entertainment, can open kids’ eyes to the real cost of living. Spending decisions also provide a great opportunity to talk to kids about credit–how it works and the importance of maintaining a good credit rating–as well as how to use important financial tools.”
Read the survey results here.
Journal Entry: Recreate a discussion you had with your child about money. Consider the first time he/she used his/her own money to purchase a toy, the first time he/she asked how much you earned, or the first time he/she realized how much it cost to fill the car with gasoline. Describe how your child’s eyes were “opened to the real cost of living.”