Teaching Kids About MoneyBy: Ken Canfield

Do your kids think money grows on trees? Before your kids are gainfully employed, it may not seem vital to teach them about money. But, all you have to do is think about how our society seems to revolve around money and you realize that you can never start too early.If you want to save your children from the agony of worshipping the almighty dollar, you'll want to begin early to put money in the proper perspective. Instead of simply giving your children a weekly allowance and then letting them try to figure out good stewardship on their own, teach them the basic principles you want them to value. Marriages crumble from the pressures of aggressive bill collectors or they split because spouses can't agree on what to do with their money. We need to talk with our children about money and model the right attitude about it. Our goal is not to scare them -- but to help them gain a positive outlook about money, and to teach them healthy stewardship habits. Today I'll cover five basic abilities that your children need to learn in relation to money: They are to earn diligently, spend wisely, save consistently, give cheerfully, and receive graciously. Earning money gives your child a sense of worth. Even young children need to know they can make a valuable contribution. They have marketable talents. Even if the current market is only in your kitchen or backyard. Help your children know the satisfaction of earning their keep and help them realize that nothing is free except God's grace.Second, one of the greatest delights for a child--and for many adults I know--is to spend money. But we need to make that connection between earning and spending. Earning it yourself makes spending it more enjoyable. And when it's their money, they get the final call on what they purchase It's amazing how fast kids learn the difference between a wise investment and a waste of money when they're spending their own hard-earned dollars.Of course, on our list is saving. Consistently saving money -- even if it's just putting away a little bit each month. My kids love to examine their bank books. They marvel at how their accounts have grown as a result of their modest, but consistent savings plan. If your child learns to save something each time he gets some money, he has learned a valuable lesson--and, I might add, a lesson which many in this generation have lost.Give cheerfully. Several months ago, my son Joel came and asked for money to see a movie. My immediate response was the dreaded teaching mode. He'd have to learn to budget his allowance like everyone else. "Joel," I said, "I already gave you your allowance this week. What happened to that?""I put it into the offering at church," he said."All of it?""Yeah, all of it," he said.You know what I did next? I gave him the money for the movie -- plus some extra for popcorn. What father can refuse to reinforce a generous child? It only makes me eager to give more and more.Finally, teach your children to receive graciously. Just as earning has a direct connection to spending, our joy in giving is multiplied because we know the pleasure of receiving.For some of us, receiving is uncomfortable because we don't like to show our needs or weaknesses. But our children need to learn that using the phrase "Thank you" demonstrates strength, not weakness. After all, receiving a gift means someone considers you important enough to give it to you.

Have a great week,
Ken

God amazing photo

His Crocodile


















His Sleeping Cat




Expressing His LOVE













One of His Angels




And a Teddy Bear




The pictures are awesome..........but wait until you read the words




Q: What is the shortest chapter in the Bible?

A: Psalms 117




Q: What is the longest chapter in the Bible?

A: Psalms 119




Q: Which chapter is in the center of the Bible?

A: Psalms 118




Fact: There are 594 chapters before Psalms 118
Fact: There are 594 chapters after Psalms 118
Add these numbers up and you get 1188.





Q: What is the center verse in the Bible?

A: Psalms 118:8




Q: Does this verse say something significant about God's perfect will for our lives?

The next time someone says they would like to find

God's perfect will for their lives and that they want to

be in the center of His will, just send them to the

center of His Word!





Psalms 118:8

"It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."

Now isn't that odd how this worked out (or was God in the center of it)?




"Father God bless my friend in whatever it is that you know

he/she may be needing this day!

And may his/her life be full of your peace,

prosperity and power as he/she seeks to have a

closer relationship with You.

Amen"






When things get tough, always remember...

Faith doesn't get you around trouble, it gets you through it !!

WOMEN'S REVENGE

Cash, check or charge?" I asked, after folding items the woman wished to purchase. As she fumbled for her wallet, I noticed a remote control for a television set in her purse."So, do you always carry your TV remote?" I asked."No," she replied, "but my husband refused to come shopping with me, and I figured this was the most evil thing I could do to him legally."

UNDERSTANDING WOMEN (A MAN'S PERSPECTIVE) I know I'm not going to understand women.I'll never understand how you can take boiling hot wax, pour it onto your upper thigh, rip the hair out by the root, and still be afraid of a spider.

MARRIAGE SEMINAR While attending a Marriage Seminar dealing with communication, Tom and his wife Grace listened to the instructor, "It is essential that husbands and wives know each other's likes and dislikes."He addressed the man,"Can you name your wife's favorite flower?"Tom leaned over, touched his wife's arm gently and whispered, "It's Pillsbury, isn't it?

CIGARETTES AND TAMPONS A man walks into a pharmacy and wanders up & down the aisles. The sales girl notices him and asks him if she can help him. He answers that he is looking for a box of tampons for his wife. She directs him down the correct aisle. A few minutes later, he deposits a huge bag of cotton balls and a ball of string on the counter.She says, confused, "Sir, I thought you were looking for some tampons for your wife?He answers, "You see, it's like this, yesterday, I sent my wife to the store to get me a carton of cigarettes, and she came back with a tin of tobacco and some rolling papers; cause it's sooo-ooo--oo-ooo much cheaper.So, I figure if I have to roll my own .......... so does she.

WIFE VS. HUSBAND A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede their position. As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs, the husband asked sarcastically, "Relatives of yours?" "Yep," the wife replied, "in-laws."
WORDS A husband read an article to his wife about how many words women use a day... 30,000 to a man's 15,000. The wife replied, "The reason has to be because we have to repeat everything to men... The husband then turned to his wife and asked, "What?"

CREATION A man said to his wife one day, "I don't know how you can be so stupid and so beautiful all at the same time. "The wife responded, "Allow me to explain. God made me beautiful so you would be attracted to me;God made me stupid so I would be attracted to you!

WHO DOES WHAT A man and his wife were having an argument about who should brew the coffee each morning. The wife said, "You should do it because you get up first, and then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee. The husband said, "You are in charge of cooking around here and you should do it, because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee."Wife replies, "No, you should do it, and besides, it is in the Bible that the man should do the coffee."Husband replies, "I can't believe that, show me."So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New Testament and showed him at the top of several pages, that it indeed says .......... "HEBREWS"

The Silent Treatment A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment. Suddenly, the man realized that the next day, he would need his wife to wake him at 5:00 AM for an early morning business flight. Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper,"Please wake me at 5:00 AM." He left it where he knew she would find it.The next morning, the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM and he had missed his flight Furious, he was about to go and see why his wife hadn't wakened him, when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed. The paper said, "It is 5:00 AM. Wake up."Men are not equipped for these kinds of contests.

God may have created man before woman, but there is always a rough draft before the masterpiece.

Twenty two things you should know...

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

FOUR. When you say, "I love you," mean it.

FIVE. When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.

SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.

EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dream. People who don't have dreams don't have much.

NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

TEN. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.

TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.

THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"

FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

FIFTEEN. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson .

SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.

TWENTY-ONE. Spend some time alone.

TWENTY-TWO. A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.

Fannie Mae and Freedie Mac is rebounding

The vast government-backed lenders, which have their origins in Roosevelt's New Deal, have more than 40 per cent of the outstanding mortgages in America on their books, and there have been increasing concerns about their financial health. On Friday, after rumours emerged that Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson was considering a bailout, the shares of both plummeted, dragging down stock markets on both sides of the Atlantic. The anxiety over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, crucial to a recovery of the battered housing market and the economy as a whole, reached a fever pitch on Friday and took shares of the companies and the broader markets on a wild ride. The distress is alarming for two reasons. First, it demonstrates that as house prices have continued to decline, mortgage defaults have spread well beyond the sub-prime sector; secondly, as a slew of other lenders have shut up shop, government-backed Fannie and Freddie have been crucial in preventing the supply of mortgages from grinding to a complete halt.'They've played a key role in keeping the housing market afloat, filling the vacuum created by the collapse of the private securitisation market, which has all but disappeared,' says Richard Iley, US economist at BNP Paribas. 'The concern is, if they continue to pump cash into the market, it will increasingly undermine their financial health and leave them requiring more capital, which is probably getting harder and harder to acquire.' The wild day capped a brutal week for the shares of the two companies, as investors fled the two giants on worries they would need a bailout that would wipeout the value of their stock. An early selloff was fanned by speculation of a looming government bailout. The stocks recovered on assurances by a leading senator that no rescue is needed and a Reuters report that said the Federal Reserve is opening up its discount window to Fannie and Freddie. But after the market closed, Federal Reserve spokeswoman Michelle Smith told CNN that no discussions with Fannie or Freddie about access to the discount window have taken place. . Immediately after the markets opened Friday, shares of Fannie (FNM, Fortune 500) and Freddie (FRE, Fortune 500) fell more than 47% from their already battered closing price the day before. But the stocks made up much of their earlier losses. Fannie finished the day down 22% while Freddie's stock closed with a 3% loss. Friday's selloff left both shares down just over 45% for the week and about 75% for so far this year. Still, analysts say there is little doubt that the federal government would step in to rescue Fannie and Freddie should rising losses and plunging stock prices leave them without the capital they needed to continue to be the primary source of mortgage funding in the nation. Fannie and Freddie hold or back $5 trillion between them, or about half the mortgage debt in the country. They play a central role in the U.S. housing market, providing a crucial source of funding for banks and other home lenders, especially since a credit market crisis last summer left them the only major players in packaging pools of mortgage loans into securities for sale to investors. If they were unable to do so, it would significantly raise the cost and restrict the availability of mortgage loans, causing significantly more problems for already battered housing prices and sales. That in turn would be another significant problem for the overall U.S. economy, as well as global credit markets. Trying to restore a sense of calm The problems for Freddie and Fannie weighed on broader markets, causing a sell-off in U.S. stocks, especially hitting major banks, Wall Street firms and home builders. At one point during the day the Dow fell below the 11,000 mark for the first time in nearly two years. Fannie and Freddie both said in statements issued late Friday that they have the adequate capital they need to operate and to meet targets required by regulators. "In fact, we have more core capital, and a higher surplus over our regulatory requirement, than at any time in this company's history," said Fannie's statement. Freddie's statement said speculation in media reports about a government takeover of the firms through a process known as conservatorship was not accurate. "Freddie Mac is not on the threshold of conservatorship because we are adequately capitalized," said the statement. "The preliminary indications of our expected financial performance for the second quarter, while reflecting the challenges that face the industry, do not point to an immediate need to raise additional capital." Others also tried to reassure Wall Street that Fannie and Freddie were not in immediate danger of collapse. In fact, shares of both companies started their modest rebound shortly after 2 p.m. when Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., the chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, defended the strength of both firms. Dodd said his discussions with Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, the regulators who oversee the firms and the two companies' CEOs convinced him they have more than adequate capital and that there was no need to even discuss failure or a bailout. He also vowed quick passage of a long-debated housing bill to give greater oversight of the two companies. The bill passed the Senate Friday night and is expected to be taken up by the house next week. "There is a sort of a panic going on," he said. "The facts don't warrant that reaction in my view. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were never bottom feeders in the residential mortgage markets. People ought to feel confident about them." Talk about a bailout The New York Times reported Friday that senior Bush administration officials are considering a plan to have the government take over one or both of the companies if their problems worsen. But Paulson said Friday that the government's primary focus is making sure that Fannie and Freddie remain "in their current form." On Saturday, The Wall Street Journal reported that Paulson is adamant that a rescue of either company not benefit shareholders - for fear that a bailout would inure investors to risk. Even before the latest report on a possible rescue plan, investors fled the two stocks this week due to speculation about their future. The drop in their shares raised questions about how difficult and expensive it will be for them to raise needed capital in the future, which fueled further losses in their stock prices. "Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have lost investor confidence evidenced by the rapid brutal sell-off in their stocks, which could dramatically hinder their ability to raise any additional capital going forward," wrote Richard Hofmann of research firm CreditSights in a note Friday. Hoffmann added that the firms' ability to function normally "remain at the core of government efforts to stabilize the mortgage markets." A number of scenarios were being discussed by bankers and analysts about what the government may do to deal with the crisis of confidence facing the firms. Jaret Seiberg, a financial services analyst for the Stanford Group, a Washington research firm, said Thursday that the Federal Reserve could purchase some of Freddie's and Fannie's debt or mortgage-backed securities. He also said the Treasury Department could make billions of dollars in loans to the companies or even buy the firm's stock. "Government officials are always planning for worst-case scenarios and our note is intended to highlight some options that may be available to policymakers," he wrote. "We suspect hybrid versions of these plans also are possible." Under current law, the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO), the regulator of Fannie and Freddie, could take control of the firms if their capital falls too far below required levels. It is unclear how the firms would operate in that situation, known as a conservatorship. OFHEO Director James Lockhart issued a statement late Thursday saying that his agency was closely monitoring the firms' credit and capital positions. But he pointed out that they had already raised $20 billion in capital and that they adequately capitalized, holding funds well in excess of his agency's requirements. Investor panic Still, investors were worried that continued problems in the housing market would cause more than the $12.7 billion losses the two firms have lost between them since last July. The decline in their stock value makes raising additional capital to cover those future losses that much more expensive and difficult. "Our primary concern about Freddie and Fannie is that credit losses are likely to be worse than the management's current judgment, which will further pressure the capital base, and we remain cautious until we are better able to quantify these risks," wrote UBS analyst Eric Wasserstrom in a note Thursday. Those concerns prompted him to raise his estimated loss for Freddie and to cut his price target for the stock, although, he retained his neutral rating on both firms, rather than urging clients to sell their holdings. But the biggest worry Fannie and Freddie shareholders faced Friday was what would happen if the government did have to step into rescue them. Certainly, the big selloff earlier in the day reflected some investors' fears that shares of Fannie and Freddie could become worthless in a bailout scenario.

This feeling

Never felt nothing like this... Thoughts trapped in a metropolis as I try to manuver through It's so unusual how it came like a THIEF... in the evening just took my heart away. It felt good for the most part. The moment was as beautiful as the sun setting upon a new horizon. INTEREST... is still rising, though it can't be acted on because the situation is not right. I FIGHT... to push the thought of you out, but you are like my rib. My Eve, I'm Adam. Intro form the past. Now WE LIVE... in the present in different states of minds, but our similarities connected and we are forced to rewind back to the ropes that are tangled up! Maybe they'll unwind. I opened up more than 1 DOOR FOR YOU... Now I'm wondering will you come through... If you don't, I understand because I'm not trying to step on no ones toes, but if FORCED... then I guess it just come with the territory. Either friendship or longevity...I'll take whatever and run right by your side due to us being on one accord,so I'll SIT BACK... and see what God has in store. Us hand in hand, or us living for what is already a given. As a man, I stand alone... you're already accompanied along with wealth buried within your belly which is soon to be revealed and I'm COOL... with that fact, Not trying to distract you from your future, but I'm demonstrating that I'll be more than willing to SHOW YOU little by little that I'm FEELING YOU... 2 b continued...

The worst dollar store bargins

No. 1: Toothpaste
Dollar Store Diva Says:
A 2.54 ounce tube of tartar control or cavity protection Crest or Colgate cost a buck, obviously, and that seems like a lot less than you'd pay for a full-sized tube in your local drugstore. But the same brands, in the same size, cost only 63 cents a tube at my local Wal-Mart store, so it still pays to shop around and read your local store flyers to find the sales and the best everyday prices for your favorite brand of toothpaste.
· A Word of Caution on Toothpaste ...


No. 2: Nestle Bottled Water
Dollar Store Diva Says:
I can get four 16.9 oz. bottles of water for $1 at the dollar store. That's great, but, if you use a lot of bottled water, it's better to buy it by the case. Wal-Mart often has sales on this brand, selling a case of 24 bottles for $2.65, which means you're only paying 11 cents a bottle, as opposed to 25 cents at the dollar store. Costco sells Nestle bottled water in a case of 35, 16.9 oz. bottles for $4.95 or 14 cents per bottle, a significant savings over the dollar store.

No. 3: 1-Ply Napkins Dollar Store Diva Says: At a penny a piece, getting 100 napkins for a buck is a pretty good deal. But, as with many things, the more you buy, the more you'll save. Buy a package of 350 napkins at Wal-Mart for $2.94 and you pay less than a penny per napkin. If you've got kids and go through a lot of paper products, the savings can really add up.

No. 4: Sandwich Bags
Dollar Store Diva Says: The dollar store sells Hefty zipper seal sandwich bags in a package of 13 for $1 or about 8 cents per bag but, again, it pays to buy in bulk. Costco sells Ziploc sandwich bags, four packages of 150 bags each, for $12.58. That means each sandwich bag costs only 2 cents each. And, if you pack lunches on a regular basis, you won't soon run out with 600 bags on hand.








No. 5: Sugar Substitute
Dollar Store Diva Says:
Sugar Twin comes in a box of 40 packets for $1 at the dollar store. Wal-Mart sells Sweet 'n Low in boxes of 100 packets for $2.25 and you can get 800 packets of Equal at Costco for $16.84. Compare the costs: .025 cents at the dollar store, .023 cents at Wal-Mart and .021 cents at Costco. Not huge savings but every little bit helps, and if you prefer one of the bigger name brands of sugar substitute, you may not find it at the dollar store.

No. 6: Foam Cups
Dollar Store Diva Says:
Stocking your office? Having a brunch party? If you stock up, you can save. At the dollar store, you can get a package of 45 7 oz. foam cups at the dollar store for $1 or .022 per cup or shop at Costco where you can go big and go home with 1,000 foam cups for $12.18 or .012 per cup.




No. 7: Foam Plates
Dollar Store Diva Says:
Also an essential on your party-planning list are disposable plates. At the dollar store, a stack of 20 foam plates (9-inch size) are 5 cents per plate. That equates to $4 for 80 plates at the dollar store, but a package of 75 plates at Wal-Mart costs only $2.75 -- or just under 4 cents a plate. So you'd save about a dollar after accounting for the five fewer plates in the Wal-Mart pack.




No. 8: Dishwashing Liquid
Dollar Store Diva Says:
In order to sell brand names for a $1, dollar stores are reduced to selling these products in the smaller bottles. Thus, a 10.99 oz. bottle of Sunlight dishinwashing liquid isn't as cost-effective as the larger bottle in most supermarkets. I saw a 32.123 oz. bottle of Sunlight for $1.97 in my neighborhood grocery store. That's more than 21 oz. more soap for an extra buck. No contest.



No. 9: Bag Candy
Dollar Store Diva Says:Got a sweet tooth? You're better off buying a 2 lb. tub of jujubes or gummy worms at Wal-Mart for $2.94. You'd be paying $4 for the same amount of candy at the dollar store because there, an 8 oz. bag costs a buck. So, if you want to buy enough to treat the family, leave those four 8 oz. bags on the shelf and save $1.06 by buying the 2 lb. tub. How sweet is that?




No. 10: Batteries
Dollar Store Diva Says:Dollar stores sell good quality AA or AAA batteries from Panasonic and Sunbeam for $1 for a package of four. That's 25 cents per battery. Wal-Mart sells Maxell batteries in the same sizes in bulk. So, for $9.88 you can have a supply of 48 batteries for only 21 cents each. With that many batteries on hand there'll be no more rooting around in the junk drawer looking for something to put the spin back in your Spin Brush.