by Hope
I mentioned earlier today that we dropped Sea Cadet off for his official Navy Sea Cadet’s Boot Camp (or as they call it Recruit Training.) It last two weeks and we pretty much have no contact with him under the graduation ceremony. Here he is at drop off this past weekend.
Sea Cadet at check in for Recruit Training
So here’s my question. I have a line item in my budget for kid’s activities, etc. that is either used every month or saved for upcoming expenses (summer camps, etc.) But I’m finding, especially with my older kids that the organizations that host their types of events are not the most organized/good communicators (one or the other or both.)
For example, with these Sea Cadet events they provide a Sea Bag list (I assume any ex-military is going to be familiar with this, but I am very new to this world.) It’s a list of things they must bring. As a result, almost every month there is something new I must purchase. This irks me to no end. And this time, not only did we have to purchase a bunch of items but we had to get name tapes put on 6 shirts to the tune of $71.
Now while my boys do work as much as they are able, they don’t make a lot of money especially to have these types of costs every month so it must come out of my pocket. Don’t get me wrong, I fully support this activity, especially this one. But how do I make that work in my budget? I hate to increase my activities line item anymore.
Okay, maybe this post is more of a rant than a really question, but I am going to let it stand as is one because I am so proud of my Sea Cadet and two perhaps someone out there has some words of wisdom so I was get quite so perturbed at this extra money every month.
(By the way, in response to all the readers who have commented on my twins getting “real jobs.” We have been trying since they turned 14 to find work for them outside of the regular neighbor employment; however in our state few places will hire before the age of 16. So with our busy summer already packed we have decided to forego looking for more work until the fall when they will be just months from their 16th birthday. They do continue to do odd jobs for neighbors on an as needed basis.)
Hope is a creative, solutions-focused business manager helping clients grow their business and work more efficiently by leveraging expertise in project management, digital marketing, & tech solutions. She’s recently become an empty nester as her 5 foster/adoptive kids have spread their wings. She lives with her 3 dogs in a small town in NE Georgia and prefers the mountains to the beaches any day. She struggles with the travel bug and is doing her best to help each of her kids as their finish schooling and become independent (but it’s hard!) She has run her own consulting company for almost twenty years! Hope began sharing her journey with the BAD community in the Spring of 2015 and feels like she has finally in a place to really focus on making wise financial decisions.
1. emergency fund.
2. calculate the total cost of all these surprise expense bombs in the last year. Divide by 12, set aside that much each month.
3. Teens can work and can certainly contribute to their own activities! It sounds like you’re already working this angle. Maybe give each kid an “allowance,” (“each month, or summer, or year, you get this much to spend on activities. if the bill goes over, you have to earn the difference.”)
Just some ideas. I don’t have kids so I’m just making all this up.
I tackle this in one of two ways…
(1) I have 50-100 set aside every month for budget overages. Or to be simpler I just lower my assumed income.
(2) I set aside one-time earnings into a “replacement fund” to cover replacement of broken items. Generally, this is credit card rewards, interest income on checking/savings accounts, and cash back rebates (such as Upromise rewards).
I think even though it’s annoying, your best bet might just be to increase the activity line item; this way you have more budgeted for this category and if it’s not needed this month you can roll it over to next month (or apply it to your debt payments).
I agree with Kili. Your budget should be realistic to work for your family. If you don’t use it, it will be there to throw at the debt but you won’t be caught short either. I know you are proud of your Sea Caret and all your babies. Great job.
Maybe they could expand the odd jobs for neighbors. If you get access to a mower and an edger for your own lawn, your teens could mow neighbors lawns. My brother made a killing doing this as a teen. Also flyers in the grocery store/church newsletter/ local coffee house can scare up a bunch of people who never realized that they needed a dog walker, kitty litter box emptier, trash can dragger or plant waterer.
Also, do you know any of the moms of the other cadets? They can be a great resource for planning and or outgrown goods. If you know what is coming you can plan more effectively.
People usually love to offer a helping hand if they know someone needs it, and it builds a community that can only be good for your boys.
You are clearly an awesome mom, and are doing a great job with these young men.
i suggest one of 2 things – i have a line item called “unexpected expenses” in my budget. I don’t always use it, but when I need it or things come up it’s budgeted for. Or you could try a savings account for their expenses – i have one that covers random big budget items that come up (car repair, dress for surprise function etc)- Basically and ef that’s not for emergencies….then you can allow that to build up…
I agree that increasing your activity line item may make the most sense and be easiest. Try it for a few months and see how it goes…
Regarding teens and jobs…..I have 3 teens and they all have summer jobs, but it’s harder than you would think to get those jobs…..they are over 16 so they have transportation which helps a bit…..my daughter started applying in January and finally got a job cleaning hotel rooms. There are just not that many entry level jobs out there – at least in our area. One job my son applied for had over 130 applicants! My point is that Hope and her kids are trying and open to teen jobs, but it may not happen so please don’t count on it. If it does – great, but have a backup plan if the boys can’t find work.
They have the rest of their lives to work. Let them be kids for a little while longer. I didn’t start working until I was 18 (other than odd jobs) and I turned out just fine.
A suggestion for teen jobs… umpire or referee sports activities. My 2 boys started their referee jobs at age 12. Contact your local youth sports programs and ask them to speak with the person in charge of assigning referees or umpires, they can tell you how to get started. Even my 70 year old father does this for side income. Good luck!
Hey Hope,
When I first went into the military, I had this packing list. And we needed every single item on that list, mostly to look uniform with everyone else when it came time for inspections. Luckily for me the stuff that I didn’t bring, the military advanced all privates first pay onto a military debit card that allowed you to pick anything you needed up.
Secondly, I remember you saying that you dropped him off in PA. Then you went to Hershey or vice versa. This wouldn’t be the Ft. Indiantown Gap would it? I have very fond memories of this place, (both parents worked here and I did summer camps here as well)