MY DRAMA TWEENS

HOW WILL I USE FINANCIAL LITERACY TO PREPARE ME FOR COLLEGE?

G3's entry in an essay writing contest:

I am a freshman in high school and I only have $400 in the bank. What can I do so I can prepare myself to by using financial literacy? Most importantly I have to save my money and not buying some pointless things.

Why is it important to me to know about money TODAY to help me TOMORROW? I ask that question to myself every time I take my wallet out of my purse. If I spend my money buying some pointless fifty-dollar shirt at Hollister, I am wasting a bunch of money in just two seconds. If I save money today, I would have a better chance on buying more things that I want, and I can actually afford the things that I will need later on life.  So in order to afford college tuition, I better start saving money, do some extra work inside and outside school, do a lot of credits in high school, or at least try to get a scholarship. In addition, I should baby-sit more, wash the cars more often, I need to do my chores consistently so that my mom will pay me. 

It is the start of 2009 and If I get baby sitting jobs from our neighbors at $50 per month, in one year this will help me place additional $600 in the bank. If I keep on offering to wash my daddy’s car at $10 per month, I will get $120 in one year. If I do my chores, she will pay me $20 per month or $240 for one year. By adding all of these small chores I will have a total of $960 by March 2010. If I continue doing these, how much is that in 5 years?

Without education, people would be nowhere, and they would not have a successful life ahead of them. Higher-level jobs only take people with a very good education and a college degree. My current high school GPA is 3.8 and I am definitely going to college through saving money every month from every chore. I know that I will able to afford tuition costs plus buy all the books I need the moment I step into college in 2012.

What is Financial Literacy and why is it important to me?

G1's entry to an essay writing contest

“What is Financial Literacy and why is it important to me?”  It means to understand finance and its long-term implication as we face the future. For me, its all about saving money today so I can build my future as I grow older. As a teenager, I grew up having to what we call “fitting in” with other people. I tend to waste my money buying materials that I do not even need. At the end of the day, I have asked myself ,”What is my purpose in doing so?“

While spending money sounds fun and easy to do, there is just one bit of a problem: What will happen to me tomorrow? Having only my $20 monthly allowance today, I asked myself “How does this contribute to my future goal, what can I do now so it will benefit me ten years from now?” 

My Plan A: I need to look on why I should force myself in keeping half of my monthly allowance in the bank. At present I have $500 dollars in the bank, If I add $10 dollars every month for the next 5 years, I am able to add additional $600 ($10 x 12 months x 5 years) and therefore my money will be at $1,100 plus interest .

Plan B: If my parents give me $200 dollars for my birthday, by saving half of it every year , this will mean an  additional $500 ($100 x 5 =$500) in the bank for the next 5 years which will now bring up my account to $1,600 (Plan A + Plan B plus interest).  

Plan C: At 17, my parents will buy me a car and this means I can start working part time jobs. If I keep another $100 a month from part time, in 5 years, I have an additional $6,000 ($100 x 12 months x 5 years) in the bank bringing up my future savings to $7,600 (Plan A+ Plan B+ Plan C) plus interest.

As a sophomore in  High School, college is around the corner. Limiting myself into spending only on  important matters can help me achieve my future goals. Looking ahead, if I continue to save, there is a big chance that I can earn enough money to go to the Philippines to visit my friends without asking money from my parents.

KNOWING YOUR BALANCE

G2's entry to an essay writing contest:

What would ensue if a person does not know on how to spend his or her money wisely? Will that person be satisfied with his or her life? Knowing how finance works should be the utmost priority of any adult, or even for everybody. Financial literacy allows civilians to be more responsible for their future, it clarifies on how to handle one’s currency, and it provides service for the community.

 I am sophomore student in high school. I calculate my expenses by not wasting them through unimportant materials, like buying too many clothes , but I focus my funds on my bank account. Having a bank account allows me to be more reliable because it demonstrates that I can take care of my belongings efficiently. One might say that car is the basic item that any buy. Buying unimportant items will not make anyone more successful in life because it will only leave them in colossal debts.

 What are some benefits that I obtain from putting my funding to good use? First, the knowledge itself is essential. If I learn on how to accumulate my money, I know for sure that when I grow up, I will not be in great debt that will leave me bankrupt. The United States economy used to be free from any amounts overdue. Today, the national deficit reaches up to ten trillion dollars.  Second, by knowing my finances, I can earn some money for college. College is my first priority because it facilitates my chances of having a great occupation. My mom and dad both have a well-paying professions, and they pay their expenses monthly. Through them, I realize that money is highly significant to a person’s life. Lastly, by having perceptive information about money, I can assist my community. When I grow up, I am required to pay taxes. By paying taxes, I can be useful to the country because it can reimburse our national debts.

Knowing financial literacy is very helpful to me, my future, and to the economy. When time comes that I can be an adult, I should always remember that money is very important to me, and that wasting it will be a huge disappointment to my future. Always remember that financial literacy will locate a person in a fine college, and a better future to be more successful.

TEENS: THINGS TO DO FOR SUMMER

It's only 3 days after school and it seems that we are running out of things to do - -so here are suggestions of what teens may  plan to include for the long summer.

We have excluded watching movies, computer time, gym and  regular chores as they are part of our normal schedule. So here's our top 20 list (so we will not sleep the entire summer away):

1. Advance reading for SAT
2. Research requirements for college entry
3. Start a diary
4. Learn to speak one foreign language/ Master Spanish
5. Research three countries you want to visit
6. Learn how to play five new songs (guitar/ piano)
7. Choreograph three new dance routine
8. Write a short story/essay
9. Read minimum three books
10. Learn how to cook at least three dishes (Italian, Japanese)
11. Learn how to make homemade ice cream
12. Practice driving
13. Visit an art museum
14. Paint a picture /portrait
15. Volunteer at the local library
16. Organize old pictures and important documents in one place
17. Donate unused personal items to charity
18. Visit local bank (update savings account and inquire future banking options for teens)
19. Search for job opportunities at local groceries
20. Clean your closet and make an advance shopping list of what you need for school

Long list? I bet you have no reason to be bored. Try this out with us!

By the way - - there is a test later!

FREE GAMES ACCESS (Super Mario, Pacman, Counter Strike etc)

With email requests received, Games are now available for your convenience

Visit the Page headers and you have FREE access to the following games
No registration Needed! ENJOY!

• Super Mario Classic
• Mario Star Catcher 2
• Super Mario with Luigi
• Crash Bandicoot Game
• Game Collection (Pac Man etc)
• Counter Strike
• Mind Games

I will be placing more games soon - - Check them out!

HANDLING SIBLING RIVALRY

I asked myself, do I always  have to be in the middle?

If there is such an cookbook for parenting, I should have, by now memorized the "step by step rule"  on strategies to teach kids on how to address a simple conflict. I know I should give myself a pat on the back as I have been practicing the skill for 16 years now (twins<G1/G2 at 16> plus one (G3 at 15 - - yes....all girls) , yet, I still feel  frustrated on how some small issue gets blown out of proportion ..and i have to step in!

In  business, I  always  set a guideline for me to stay focused on a given task. As a mom, who is managing teenage conflicts, day in and day out ...I have 10 basic formula that I keep in my imaginary pocket  which comes in handy at times of petty squabbles...

1. Positive reinforcement
   
2. Spend quality time as a unit
   
3. Allocate quality time for individuals
   
4. Avoid comparing and contrasting
   
5. No No to "playing" favorites
   
6. Accepting each child's individual personality
   
7. Encouraging cooperation not competition
8. Acknowledging individual weaknesses
   
9. Interest on individual issues and needs
   
10. Trust and Love
    

Some days are good...some days are bad ...  and today is just one of those days when I must have accidentally placed too much pepper in my adobo!

HOW TO RESOLVE CONFLICT THE ADOBOLIFE WAY:

STEP ONE: OLD FASHION WAY

• Market research:  Ask  Girl 1 (complainant) on her perception of issue. During this time .. Listen ... Empathize without giving judgment
• Verification: Repeat what you have heard and get agreement that you have the same understanding on the case presented
• Validation:  Present to  Girl 2 (defendant) the issue and get her side of the story
• Break: Pause and analyze the situation . This time, you need to place yourself in their individual  shoes and ask yourself.."What could I have done differently?"
• Consult with a neutral party: In this case, either my hubby or Girl 3 if she's not involved.
  

STEP TWO: TOWN HALL MEETING: No matter how big or small.  My girls know that if one messed up..Everybody is in trouble and everybody needs to voice an opinion  - - Like what O'Reilly will say - No Spin Zone allowed ! (This avoids the  tendency to gang up on each other)

• Initiate dialogue between G1 and G2 (with G3  as an observer)
• Encourage  girls to express their feelings in a positive attitude
• Solicit solution by making the girls answer ... "What could I have done differently?" in their own language
• Get agreement on one solution
• Offer a trial period   -- peace time (usually 24 hours)
• Highlight the rationale on why family  needs to get along (both short term and long term)

STEP THREE: PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE:

• One on one discussion  to check each girls'  emotional state
• Find ways to listen if they  have additional unresolved issues
• Share your thoughts  on how you will manage the situation  if you were in their  shoes.
• Provide guidance on how they should focus on getting along with each other (short and long term )
• Offer your shoulder
• Tell them that you love them individually but will appreciate the effort they will exert to make the  family whole and happy every time

LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST:

Definitely, there are more ways! I am no expert..I am just an ordinary mom who wants a quiet evening with my chocolate and a glass of wine. Conflicts are difficult and they are usually emotionally draining if left unattended!

If there's one lesson  I learned over the years with these petty fights.....is that I am ONLY mad at the situation and NOT at my girls as a person.  Issue comes and goes and they can NEVER stay in our house.

My  girls and my family will be with each other for a long long long time . . . and we have no vacancy in this big house for conflicts!

I AM 16, GOING ON 17

Remember the Julie Andrews movie..the one they called Sound Of Music? Can someone tell me .. what the H*** is wrong with that teenage girl?  Sneaking out  from the parents home to go wild jumping up and  about the gazebo  singing at the top of her voice...duh..in the middle of the night? Can someone give her a winter coat? Yeah Right! But then...agggghhhh...First Love!

Remember the day when you were leaving home for work and you heard the screaming babies  crying - - MOMMMY -- DON'T LEAVE ME!!!! ...and then..the screeching sound of Waaaaahhh!!!! - -Yes! cherish those moments ...as the last time I checked, they are still 3 years old. I just took a nap and someone released a memo that my little babies are now 16s (Twins)and 15!

Gone are the days  when holding on to  mommy's hands  is the entire focal point in their lives.

 Today, I  started another blog - - which I call MY DRAMA TWEENS! It's a mommy's journey in getting to know her babies new lives and preparing them in this drama world we call TEEN STAGE (Yes..and boys too)

So wish me luck...as I let you in on this crazy drama tween world I am in!