He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.. Matthew 28:6a

If you’re reading this on Easter Sunday, get off your computer and get in there with your family. Okay, I’m just messing with you.

Seriously, I just wanted to wish all of you a Happy Easter! I hope your day is filled with family fun and wonderful memories.

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As much as I love to eat home-cooked meals, sometimes, I just want a break from cooking. It’s a nice change to let someone else do the cooking and serving once in a while. The problem, however, is that menu prices are climbing higher and higher, just like everything else.

Our family tries to eat out at least once a week. A few years ago, dining out became somewhat of a tradition for every Friday night. For us, eating out at a restaurant provides a nice way to relax, converse and enjoy a meal together. It is something that I really don’t want to give up unless it is absolutely necessary.

That being said, I have really started looking into ways that we can “have our cake and eat it too.”

Here are a few things I have been contemplating regarding dining habits:

• Drink water - Instead of soda or tea, try ordering water to drink. Considering restaurant drinks can cost $2 or more each, this can really add up. If you have trouble drinking plain water, try squeezing a little lemon in your glass to add some extra flavor. Most tables also have sugar available, so if you like, put a little sugar in your lemon water and you have lemonade.
• Share a meal - Look for a large meal that can be split between two people. Even if you are charged a small fee for sharing, this can still save you a few bucks in the long run.
• Skip the appetizer - Appetizers are so large most times that by the time the appetizer is gone, so is your appetite. If you must have the appetizer, try ordering it as your meal.
• Kids eat free/half price - Some restaurants have certain nights of the week that they offer kids meals for free or half price with a paying adult. By scheduling your dining to those restaurants on these nights, you can double up on savings, especially if you have two kids.
• Have dessert at home - Plan on and make a tasty dessert before leaving the house. When you finish your meal you won’t be tempted to order from the dessert menu if you know there is something just as yummy waiting for you at home.

Being curious about how much money might actually be saved by following these few tips, I created a little comparison chart. You can check it out right here.

After looking at the chart, you can see that there are some major advantages to changing a few minor dining habits. Planning ahead and making a few good choices can go a long way toward allowing you to continue enjoying family dining experiences, even on a budget.

What ways have you found to save money at restaurants?

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Posted on April 11th, 2009 in Money Matters | 4 Comments

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How many times have you heard yourself make this statement to your kids? Was this also something you heard often growing up? Well, I rarely ever heard these words, at least not the last part of the statement, “because I said so…”

Now, my parents most certainly told me “no” many times. But, it was never just because they felt like saying it or just simply because they had the authority to say it.

So, where am I going with all this?

Of course, you are the parent, and you have every right to tell your children no, and you most certainly need to many times. However, have you thought about how your children receive your negative response if the only explanation they get is “because I said so?”

Here is what I mean. When we tell our children that they can’t do something, or tell them to do something, we almost always have a good reason for what we say. What might some of those reasons be?

Maybe our reason is for their protection or maybe it is to teach them a lesson. Generally, it is for their benefit in some way.

The problem with just saying “no” and not giving a reason is that most times kids really don’t understand why they can’t or shouldn’t do what they want to do. On the other hand, they don’t understand why you tell them to do something that they should do.

When this happens, the child is left feeling confused and frustrated, and assuming that you are just being mean, that you don’t care about their wants, or that you don’t want them to have any fun.

Don’t get me wrong, occasionally there will be times when it may not be appropriate to give a reason for your decision. However, in most circumstances this is not the case.

What are the advantages of discussing, with our kids, the reasons for our decisions regarding their lives?

• Understanding - Our kids are not left feeling like we don’t care about their desires. If we take the time to explain to them that we are trying to protect them or teach them a lesson, they will be more receptive to the lessons we are trying to get across to them.
• Communication - By helping your children understand the decisions you are making, it will keep the channels of communication open. They will realize that you want to talk to them and discuss with them what is taking place in their lives.
• Trust - Because your kids learn at a young age that you only have their best interest in mind, once they get older they will be more likely to ask for your advice when they have their own decisions to make.

How do I know this really works?

My mom always took the time to explain to me why she said “no” to things I wanted to do. Likewise, she explained why she told me to do things that I really didn’t want to do at times.

Even though, I didn’t like her decisions sometimes, I always understood that she was just interested in my well-being, and that she was trying to teach me how to be safe, or how to become a better person. Because of this, I never felt like she was intruding in my life even after I got older.

Now, I always try to be sure that I sit down with my kids, even my 1 1/2 year old, and discuss with them why I give them the answers that I give, or why I tell them to do what I tell them to do.

I believe that communication is the number one factor in teaching, protecting and developing a relationship of trust with our kids, just as it is with many other areas of our lives.

On more than one occasion, I have thanked my mom for taking the time to talk things out with me. Going the extra mile takes a little more effort and a little more time, but in the end your kids will thank you for it.

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Posted on April 10th, 2009 in Kids and Family | 3 Comments

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