For about a week straight, no matter where we went, my 7 year old consistently asked for me to buy her something.
At the check-out stand in Wal-Mart: “Mom, can you buy me this pack of gum?”
Driving home from gymnastics: “Mom, can you buy me an ice cream cone?”
Even watching a commercial: “Mom, can you buy me that toy? I don’t have it.”
It was when we went into a motor sports shop for accessories, that Ad saw this sweet little number, just her size, marked at $4500 and begged us to buy it for her, that I realized it’s time to teach her the value of money.
My dad was/is an accountant and I remember throughout my childhood (probably starting in my infancy), my dad instilled in our brains the value of a dollar, and how to earn it. Yes, we even had our own balance ledgers were we were to document our credits and debits of money earned and spent. I knew that if I really wanted that box of assorted donuts from the grocery store, I needed to earn my own money. So, my sister and I would bake a variety of cookies and brownies and take them around the neighborhood in our little red Radio Flyer wagon.
It’s no surprise that I was pleased when my daughter decided to start her own money-earning project similar to mine. Only, instead of selling baked goods, she wanted to sell lemonade. And instead of donuts being the goal, she’s shooting for Disneyland! I like her style.
Before we sent this entrepreneur out to make some money, we decided she needed to learn about it first. So, we counted the money from the piggy banks, taught the difference between each coins and took turns role playing consumer and cashier, learning how to return correct change.
We discussed loans, inventory, and good customer service skills. Once we purchased all the necessary products, and went over the sales plan, they were off! Since we were still experiencing colder weather in Rexburg (shocker!), she opted for Hot Chocolate as the sales item. So, bright and early, before her school started, we packed up the wagon with all the goods and set up shop right on the corner of the crosswalk across the street of the university. Just in time to catch all the students trying to make their 7:45am class.
For little girls who normally are somewhat reserved around “strangers”, they sure found some confidence to walk right up and talk with these students. Apparently, Disneyland is enough motivation to open up even the shyest of personalities!
Before they knew it, they were not only selling cups of hot chocolate, but receiving tips as well!
Who says it’s not beneficial living next to a large university with 15,000+ student attending!
More to come after their next endeavor of selling lemonade now that the weather is warming up. Will they make their goal?? Stay tuned…
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I can’t wait to follow this story! Love your little entrepreneurs–and their awesome location for setting up shop.
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Camille Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 9:32 am
We just need to find where the students congregate, and we’re there!
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Good on ya! Great skills to teach them while they’re young! And who wouldn’t want to buy hot chocolate or lemonade from those cute girls? If I earn my own money can I go to Disneyland with you?
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Camille Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 9:33 am
Yes!! but you do have to earn it… hmmm…does Dad have a collection of baseball hats that you could sell??
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Good job girls!!!!
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This is AMAZING! Go ladies! Can’t wait to see them reach their goal!
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You send those two little monkeys over to my house. I’ll take them to WalMart and buy them what they want.
Poor little dearies.
Haha! Such a cute idea.
Hopefully the weather is going to cooperate with us.
Kinda gorgeous right now.
Two years ago we did have snow on the 18th of May….so don’t put away the hot chocolate!
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Camille Reply:
May 21st, 2012 at 3:54 pm
Oh, we still have stocked up on the hot chocolate! Even for 20 minutes in the morning, it’s a big seller with these early bird college students!
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From chocolate to Disneyland this just screams good idea! I hope they get to have a little fun in the meantime!
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Camille Reply:
May 21st, 2012 at 3:55 pm
Thanks Kitty! Oh they’re still having fun… we’re taking time for fishing and baking lots of goodies!
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I think the money lessons must have stopped after you guys. Dad never taught me any of that! I’m broke for life.
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