A penny saved…

Is it even possible?

Okay teenagers can be ornery and stubborn even at the best of times - I know I was (see Mom, I can acknowledge it) - so I can seem a little daunting to try to implement a family wide frugal program.

It IS possible!

It just takes some flexibility and a little planning.

For me, living frugal complete with one teenager, I can say that secondhand clothing was a stretch (once she figured out that it was second hand). Teens have their own opinions, something that should be encouraged. To go with the ideas, it is a perfect time in life to learn that you have to pay for your choices. If you have principles about how to spend, you need a job to back your thoughts up.

After you figure out what is necessary in terms of clothing and a basic allowance, explain to your teen that you are trying to eliminate unnecessary shopping and live a simpler life. Let them know that this is your choice and as they grow up, they might want something different for themselves. Make it clear however, that anything that they want beyond the budget they have to pony up the dough for.

This doesn’t mean that they need to work 35 hours a week in addition to school. They do need to learn to co-relation between hours of labour and a pay-cheque. Decision making concerning purchases is a little clearer when it’s your money.

There are many teenagers that don’t mind buying second hand or making clothes. I should know - I was one.

I learned that post-divorce money was tight and I needed to find a way of getting more clothes for myself. Secondhand and thrift was the ideal solution. My favourite place to shop was at Goodwill, in their Buy-The-Pound shop. Clothing then was a $1/pound and my friends and I spent many a dirty Saturday combing through the piles of clothing for treasures.

I learned that the money I earned would go a lot further if I spent $2 for a pair of trousers versus $40 in a retail store. While my style was a little eclectic sometimes, it suited my personality.

If your teen is into thrift, don’t abandon your budget but make a point of going shopping and keeping it fun. While you want your kid to be aware of frugality, you also don’t want them to become obsessed with money and anxious about spending.

Frugality, like everything else in life, needs balance.

How’s it going with my teenager? Secondhand clothes didn’t fly but she knows that she needs to earn money to have what she wants. I’m just waiting for inertia to be overpowered by the desire to spend.

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