Outsmart The Game Industry and Teach Kids how to Budget

IS YOUR KID A GAMER?

Well all but one of my kids are. My husband is a gamer also. Therefore, this holiday, one of the major gifts requested are either a game systems (PS4 - which I'm not going to get) and video games for our varous game systems: PS3, WiiU and PSP systems

THE PROBLEM WITH GAME SYSTEMS all parents must be aware

Credit Card Charges requested for added game features

Access to Porn through the web access features

Introduction to New and Not So Nice People through Online Gaming

HOW TO COMBAT THESE PROBLEMS

Credit Card Charges

- Purchase a RECHARGEABLE VISA or MASTERCARD gift card for your kid
  - Have them decide how much of their allowance to put on their 'game credit card'
  - Have them hand you the cash they are placing on the card
  - Have them protect and track spending on the card with a weekly budget sheet of purchases

Access to Naughty Sites

- Stay in the room with your kid while they play
- Disconnect access to internet or purchase games where this feature isn't needed
- Purchase software that monitors use at the server level

Introduction to New and Not So Nice People

- Do not allow kids to hook up microphone devices
- Be present while they are gaming as sometime they can text others during the game

WEEKLY WRAP UP

New Initiative for the kids

Allowance! Yep, now they get a weekly allowance $2 a day provided they finish their chores.
They can put it in their piggy banks
Update their weekly spending budgets
Put it on their Credit Card for gaming or online purchases

Field Trip! at Bounce place. The kids met with other homeschoolers who loved the bounce center that was filled with inflatables.

Only problem was there weren't many kids there that was 13ys or 11yrs like my kiddos. So they didn't meet a new friend but just played in the space filled with other kids playing. They said they had fun, but that they didn't want to redo this trip.

This Friday, we are getting together with other homeschoolers to sing carols at the Senior Center. Then attend the after party. This Saturday, includes a laser tag birthday party, a Teen meetup for Tiger Lilly and Ice skating on Sunday.

Work this week.

Speed Racer, 6th grader

Loved his Minecraft Homeschool Viking class. Only problem was his access to Minecraft was stunted due to our LapTop mishap. So he finished up all his quizzes but didn't get to build his last 2 projects.

We had a light week since we didn't do Mango Languagues (Spanish) this week. However, he did finish all his work without a hitch or complaint.

He also finished up some of his 1st semester classes. I reviewed our new products for the coming semester (1) CleverDragons.com (2) Wordsmart (3) Simply Music, with him and he is really excited to try them out.

Tiger Lilly, blended 9th grader

She finished up quite a few courses this half of the school year.

She finished up these semester 1 classes: Economics, American Government, Logic (with Currclick), Python Programming Part 1, Sociology with Udemy and Youth Digital Mod Design was yesterday.

I also reviewed several classes for her for next year: (1) Python Part 2 with Landry (2) Money Doesn't Grow On trees class with Currclick.com for only $15 for 10 online classes (3) Psychology with Currclick

She is getting more independent and requires less oversight now since I require to see her class notes and homework prior to her moving onto her next set of subjects.

WORKING PARENT's LOG

Meals. I did a lot of quick prep meals this week. A trip to Costco and BJs Wholesalers gave me access to some already prepared meals. Also, I stopped at Let's Dish (a place where you prepare your own freezer meals) and picked up some already prepped meals. Yeah, it was a crazy week for meals and these options were more expensive but I had to do it.

Cleaning. I did some decluttering in my living room. To my Hubba's dismay, I cleaned out a huge box he had there that he moved from his previous job. He stated he would do it, but it's been 6 months and I couldn't take it anymore. So, after his gentle scholding, he asked me to show him where I placed the stuff in the box. The clothes are piling up again and I hope to wash them this weekend so we can pack for our Holiday Trip and Cruise.

Work & Life Balance. This was good this week. I was even able to squeeze in several lunch dates with co-workers during the week. I did have to sacrifice earning extra hours for my vacation later in the month, but it was worth it. Usually, I'm worried about layoffs at my job this time of month, but the assignment I'm on is pretty stable until next summer. Therefore, I wanted to make the time to celebrate.

Lesson Planning. Lesson Plans are finished through Jan 9th. I'm waiting til that week is over to see if I have to augment the schedule a bit. I've already had to change the first week of January because my Tiger Lilly wanted me to 'Add Back A Class'?! Yes, add one. People think I give her too much but the child is a machine! So, I added back Adventure Novel.

Rest. This week I got plenty which was so great! 6 hours a night rest actually made me accomplish more this week.

Marriage Check Up. Date Night is planned. Seems like Friday evenings work best for us and our 'sitter'. So once we finish up with the kiddos activities tonight at 8pm, Hubba and I are going to another Comedy Show.