MONEY DOES NOT GROW ON TREES
Is said to warn someone, usually children and young people that there is a rationed amount of money; so there is none to give or they should be careful how much they spend. This money does not grow on trees answer frankly is just petty. Let your no be no and your yes be yes; don’t give a horticulture lesson.
Actually if thinking a little about it you will come to the conclusion that money does grow on trees. The food we consume, the charcoal we burn, the paper we write on and the money we pay for the fuel we burn to cook the food we eat. In fact a landscaper will be glad to differ, so will a florist, fruit seller and the list goes on so, stop saying,
“Money does not grow on trees.”
If it is a money management lesson you want to give then by all means do so. Start very early in your child’s life. Teach them that they cannot have everything they want every time they want it. Even if they start kicking and screaming in the supermarket, say no. Leave theme at home if they do not stop their tantrums and until they learn how to behave.
As they get older get them involved in the shopping trip by letting them make a list with you. Once at the shop refer to and stick to the list. Let your child pick the items off the shelf and put them in the trolley. This way you will teach your child how to understand the importance of a list (budget) and avoid costly impulse buys. This is an invaluable money lesson and will make more sense than,
“Money does not grow on trees.”
HAPPY WIFE HAPPY LIFE
We have all heard the line over and over again in various forms but, it is time to re think it or dump it because a very real and most common cause of strife in a home is poor money management. Allowing your spouse to generate unnecessary expenses just to keep them happy is a recipe for disaster and debt.
Each person, male or female in the relationship should learn the ability to sacrifice, make and stick to financial goals, share burdens and responsibilities and take part in the unit that is called the family. If one person controls the money (maybe even using it as a source of power) and the other ‘defers’ to the other (by pretending to be respectful and “know their place”) it is clear there is no partnership. It is likely that one person is not happy and an unhappy couple makes for an unhappy home and possibly one with severe money problems.
