How to Handle the Frugal Teenager

In this economy we are quickly finding out it is not business as usual, here are some tips to move your teenager in the right direction.

Don't let the title confuse you. The frugal teenager are those who had the best and the most of everything. They have now been placed on a budget and some are having great difficulty dealing with it. I have to raise my hand because I am so guilty. I went without gladly, but I made sure my children had everything they needed and more as long as they held up their end of the deal and maintained honor roll in school. As the economy flutters, the middle class are faced with some real issues and the "no" word is becoming apart of our vocabulary.

Things You’ll Need:

• Talk to your teens

Step1 Stop the madness immediately. Give them an allowance and if they spend over they then learn a valuable lesson. Do not bail them out or give them extra. If you give them money every Friday and they spend out by Monday, oh well.........
Step2 Feed the Hungry Volunteer for some of the feed the hungry holiday events and let them see what will happen as a result of not getting spending under control. I am a firm believer anyway that at an early age every child should learn to give back.
Step3 Get a partime job If they want something, let them work for it. A part time job on the weekend works wonders. It also keeps them out of trouble.
Step4 Bills, Bills, Bills Let them see some of your bills and what it costs to live and eat. So many of them take it for granted and trust me, it will shock them.
Step5 Every time you tell them no, explain to them what is going on and why this can't happen at this time. You'll be surprised that they will understand and might start some cost saving projects on their own.
Step6 The bottom line...................

Parents don't relish these conversations but what choice do we have? We have to bring control to our households. So many of us avoid these conversations because we feel like failures. Let me be the first to tell you, your not!
Step7

Off to college The bigger picture is you have save for college...