Sometimes a family’s story about No makes me wish our three kids were young again just so we could try this idea.

These parents overwhelmed by just the “stuff” in their life and the constant drumbeat of “buy more, buy better”, called a family meeting with their two kids several years ago.   They told the kids that February was going to be a “No Spending Month”.  They assured their kids that they would buy food and pay the bills, but no extra spending for the entire month.  That’s right – no movies, restaurants, extra trips to the store, no picking up candy on the way out of the grocery store.  They would only spend on what they really needed.  Their kids were young at this point, so quite game to go along with whatever mom and dad proposed.   Not knowing what to expect this family turned the calendar page to February.  Lots of conversations ensued with their kids, discussing whether they really needed an item or was it just an “I want it.”  Was it easy – no; did they learn lessons to last a lifetime – yes.   Here’s an example of one:

Towards the end of one February Jenny was grocery shopping with their then 7 year old son.  On their way out of the store, her son spies a Beanie Baby display.  Now he had been searching for a specific Beanie Baby to no avail, and there it was, right in the center of the display.  He wanted it so bad and the begging started.  Jenny reminded her son that it was No Spending Month.  So he tried another tact – would she bring him back next week (then it would be March) and he would buy it with his own money?  Jenny looked at him and said yes, she’d do that.  What he said next startled Jenny.  Her son looked at the Beanie Baby and then looked at her and said “I won’t want it next week, will I?”

“No,” said Jenny, “you probably won’t.”   Hugs ensued and a good conversation about money and how waiting sometimes helps us decide what we really want.

Next week I’ll share the rest of the conversation with Jenny and what her family has learned with No Spending Month over the years.