It's that spooktacular time of the year again, Halloween! Now, I know what you're thinking: 'Costumes, candy, and creepy crawlies, oh my!' But what if I told you that between the trick-or-treating and the haunted houses, there's a golden opportunity to sneak in some valuable money lessons for the kiddos? Trust me, it's easier than you think. Keep reading, and I'll show you how to make this Halloween both fun and financially savvy!
What Do You Want to Be for Halloween?: The Budget Talk
Before your kid falls head over heels for the most elaborate costume they could find, talk to them about a budget. Yup, you heard me! Set a spending cap for the costume, let's say around 30 bucks. Then, make it a fun activity for your child to scout out their dream disguise without breaking the bank. They'll be scouring the web and hitting up stores, all while learning the fine art of balancing their wants with their wallet's reality. Trust me, it's Budgeting 101 wrapped in Halloween fun!
Reusing Old Costumes for Multiple Events: Value and Savings
This year Madison will be attending multiple Halloween events and she’s already told us that she wants to wear multiple costumes, but one of them is a costume that she wore last year and it still fits! A win-win for all of us!
Madison decided to reuse her Mirabel from Encanto costume for one event and transform it into Lady Bug from Cat Noir for another. When she brought up the idea, my first instinct was to ask her if she was sure she didn’t want a new costume, but she was sure. So my husband and I seized the moment
to talk to her about smart spending. I said, “Madison, reusing your Mirabel costume is not just a good idea, but it will also save us money that could be used towards other things." She was beaming with pride when we were done with our conversation. So, in one simple family decision, Madison gets to be all her favorite characters and we get a golden opportunity to talk about the value of money and the wisdom of reusing items. Smart spending lesson: Check!
Heroes Do More Than Wear Masks and Capes: A Lesson on Giving
So, your kiddo is eyeing that superhero cape, huh? That's awesome! But you know, superheroes are special for more than just their superpowers. When your child dons that cape and mask, it's a perfect moment to chat about some real-world hero stuff. Take Bruce Wayne—yeah, Batman. He's not just about fighting bad guys; he's a philanthropist too. And when your kid asks, 'What's that?' tell them a philanthropist is like a real-life superhero, but instead of a cape, they use their money or resources to help out. Bruce Wayne helps schools get better, supports hospitals, and even makes sure folks who are hungry get something to eat. So while we're getting all geared up for Halloween, let's also talk about the importance of giving back and being awesome members of our community, just like our favorite superheroes.
A Spooktacular Financial Lesson!
As we fill up those candy buckets this Halloween, let's also fill our kids' minds with good financial lessons. It's more than just a night of fright; it's a chance to guide them toward smart financial choices.
Do you like these tips? Got your own to share? Drop a comment below and let's make this Halloween financially enlightening for everyone.
Happy Haunting and Happy Saving! 🎃