WHEN PEER PRESSURE IS POSITIVE,

IT’S CALLED PEER SUPPORT!

September 2 013

Top 5 Reasons to Join the Monthly Support Network Calls

Learn new and creative strategies for family strengthening and support

Build a stronger community of peers

Be a change maker and let your voice be heard

Develop more tools for your toolbox

Learn healthful strategies for work-life balance

Sharing Our Collective Success

NameCenterOne family support success

story

Family Friendly Budgeting: Part 1

10 Tips & Techniques on Budget Basics Every Parent

Should Know

Developed from How Stuff Works

Leveraging Your Trusted Relationship to Help Build

Economic Self-Reliance

What percentage of families access services such as:Housing AssistanceUtility Assistance

Food PantryClothing Closet

What percentage of families experience stress related to:

UnemploymentTransportation

Affordable Childcare

Trusted RelationshipWhether you are helping a family with

emergency assistance, completing the Colorado Family Support

Assessment, or creating a family development plan…

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCEJUST BY STARTING THE CONVERSATION

Family Support & EncouragementUnderstanding finances can be complicatedPlanning and restricting spending can be

challengingSetting aside budgeting time and having

self-discipline can be difficultTrying to foster financial discipline with

children while navigating today’s commercialized society can feel almost impossible

Families need positive encouragement, family-friendly resources, and do-able

budgeting strategies

10. Tracking Family Income & Expenses

Budget Basics:Use last three months of

income and expenses

Gather bank statements, paystubs, and bills

Start collecting receipts ahead of time if possible

More detailed you can get, the better you can assess where your money goes

9. Assess NEEDS Versus WANTS

Key strategy is to draw some hard lines between what the family needs and what it merely wants

Must be decided by the family, for the family

Examples include decisions on food, clothing, internet access

Create prioritized list for each

8. Plan Your Spending and Set Goal

Once the monthly spending habits are known and a list of prioritized needs and wants, next is

the necessary step of planning your budget 1.If your loosing money and digging into debt, the

first priority will be to limit spending and start saving- first savings goal should be an emergency fund

2.Consider options to improve income- work overtime, ask for a raise, take a second job or a new job

3.When possible, focus on long term financial security that involves setting bigger goals

7. Use Grocery Lists Food is often one of the biggest necessary

expenses for familiesFood planning lets families maximize their

spending power, eat well, and avoid overspending on last minute expensive prepared food

Making grocery lists are essential to a food budget

Keep a supply of fruits, veggies, grains as staples in house

Involve family in the planning!

6. Research Best PricesSet aside time to list the food products

typically bought to compare costs amongst your favorite stores

Don’t stress over individual items that result in extra time taking trips to multiple stores

Save money and buy seasonal produce A smart shopper is a frugal shopper- for any

item being purchased!

5. Use Coupons Find coupons for items already planning to

buySign-up for preferred customer discountsOn-line websites, email updates, phone

appsBuy discounted gift cards and make

purchases during seasonal clearances

Keys to coupon savings are flexibility and organization

4. Use Hand-me-downs and Buy Used

Cost of clothes for growing children can rack up with each new season requiring different items

The ritual of hand-me-downs, passing clothes down from one child to another, is a great way to encourage family unity, cooperation, and save $$$

Thrift stores and consignment shops are great places to find bargains on new and used clothes- and goes beyond clothes into furniture and other household items.

Remember shops have weekly specials!!!

3. Revisit the Family BudgetKey to budgeting- recheck how you’re

doing!Families with busy schedules can easily

lose track of certain expenses After first month, sit down again and see

how you did as a familyDon’t be too hard on yourselfMight need to revaluate from over or under

estimating expenses, or to plan for seasonal expenses

2. Redo the Budget When the Situations Changes

In the chaos of family life, it seems the only things that’sconstant is changeBiggest and most dramatic changes usually

have to do with loosing and switching jobsThis directly influences income which affects

your budget Whenever long-term goals change, revisit

your budget to re-evaluate your situation

1. Involve the Children

Many parents worry that starting a budget will upset their children and family peace

If kids aren’t used to hearing “no”, it will certainly be an adjustment to learn money is tight

Instead of letting the budget be a burden on the family relationship, use it as an opportunity to teach about financial discipline

Budgeting is something the whole family can learn and work at together

1. Involve the ChildrenTo keep things positive, avoid the word “no”.

Instead when a child asks for things, tell them to keep a list of what they want and prioritize the list

Later, the family can revisit the list and talk about it

Older children and teens can learn money management by being given a precise budget for their essential purchases, like clothing

In the end, the budget is a blessing. Kids and parents alike will ultimately learn a deeper appreciation for the things they have. And the communal struggle could make your family closer than ever.

Peer Success Stories

Open Q&A

What questions would you like to ask other family workers?

What story would you like to share?

What resources would help you in your work with families?

Peer-to-Peer Sharing

Portal Resources Collaboration >

Family Resource Center Association > Community Library > Family Development > Family Development Support Network Support Network PowerPoint Training Templates Support Materials

Next Network Call:

October 16

12:00-12:45 PM

Family Friendly Budgeting Series:

September 26-10 Budget Basics Every Parent Should Know

October 16- Tips for Managing Your Credit Score

November 21- 10 Money Saving Tips for the Holidays

December 19-Great Ideals for Frugal Family Fun