Giving Thanks Part III - A community that shares together, cares together

It may start to overwhelm you. This is the time of year that charities get super serious about requesting donations for hundreds of worthy causes. And one might think, "Gosh, I'd love to give back. But sheesh, with Christmas coming up...(fill in plausible excuse here)."

But with many of us taking the time to get together with family and friends to celebrate the holidays, our hearts do appear to grow warmer as the temperature grows colder. I mean, who wants to be a scrooge with the words, "God bless us, every one," ringing in our years and songs about the specialness of the season sounding from every radio?

Well, there's no time like the present to take a minute and count your blessings (hey, I mean, it is Thanksgiving next week). Then, with a genuine smile on your face, take a look at the following list--a list of organizations that help out right here in your own community.


For the little ones...Infant Crisis Services. Although located in Oklahoma City, this organization has dropoff points in Edmond. They certainly encourage and accept monetary donations, but if you are "de-babyfying" your house, they also have a wishlist of items you can donate.

For the animal lover...Edmond Animal Welfare. Maybe the thought of committing to a pet for life has you uneasy, or maybe you have room in your heart (and home) for more furry companions. Either way, Edmond Animal Welfare offers residents the chance to help out our furry friends by becoming a foster family or adopting a pet.

For the kiddos...Peppers Ranch. Whether you just want to donate funds to a worthy cause or take on the role of a foster parent, this Edmond organization is committed to helping abused and neglected children by "creating a network of caring foster parents and adult mentors on whom children can depend." Also in Edmond is the Boys Ranch Town, run by Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children.

For education...your local college. Whether you are an alumni or not, giving back to a state university like UCO, OSU, and OU gives students with good grades and low funds the opportunity to continue their educations. And believe me, with the number of phone calls I get from my Alma maters, a school is not gonna turn anything down! (Really, you can find an opportunity to give to any college by typing in a college name and the word "give.")

For disaster relief...the American Red Cross. We just witnessed the amazing way in which our state pulls together following crises like the tornadoes that hit in Moore and across Oklahoma City this past spring. Giving money to the local Red Cross chapter helps you give back to an organization that does so much for the people facing the loss of their homes and businesses. Other organizations that assisted with disaster relief this past spring are listed here, and giving to them now helps them respond quickly and aggressively to future events.

So, what are you waiting for? What am I waiting for? And if you are short on money, opportunities abound to share your time at church, school, local nonprofits, etc., etc. So show your thanks, don't just say it. Actions speak louder than words.

Training your kids to “feed the pig”: Teaching money saving skills from day one

Money. It may not be able to buy happiness, but it sure does make your world go ‘round. And it seems, more often than not, that no matter how much of it you bring home, there’s never quite enough.

That’s supposed to be one of the beauties of being a child. It’s a time when bills and other financial responsibilities are a distant thought, if even a thought at all. However, the truth is a little less idealistic, because let’s face it, kids become aware of money and what it can do at a very early age.

The other day, my preschooler saw someone on TV step out onto a balcony. “We need to buy one of those for our house,” she told me. And I realized, like so many parents, that I have a long, hard job ahead of teaching my kids to save and manage money. How to begin?

Well, I started by asking an expert in the money saving business. And I found the perfect financial-education whiz in Jill Castilla, Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of Citizens Bank of Edmond. Here are some tips she gave me that can give any parent a head start on teaching their kids about money, spending, and saving for what they really want.

Money talks. No, I don’t mean you tell your kids to start bribing restaurant hostesses, etc. What I mean is that you need to have some talks about money. Castilla suggests you discuss your own spending habits with your children and explain why you did or didn’t purchase something. If your children are older, educate them about credit cards and how mistakes can have a long-term negative effect. Show them what credit reports look like and what they mean (these days, a credit score can impact everything from getting a job to even purchasing a cell phone). Use whatever personal experiences you can to bring the message home.

Discuss your own spending habits with your children and explain why you did or didn’t purchase something.

Sweeten the pot for your own children by matching the money they put into their savings account.

Open a bank account early (and maybe play a little 401(k) with them). Castilla encourages parents to open bank accounts for their children as soon as possible. That way, when kids receive birthday or other special occasion money, parents can discuss the benefits of putting the money in an account and saving for something bigger versus blowing the money on a toy that a child may not really want (an impulse buy—who does that?). Castilla sweetens the pot for her own children by matching the money they put into their savings account, a strategy that will have kids thinking about investments long before they land that first job!

Lead by example. And last but not least, Castilla emphasized the importance of teaching by example. Whether you’ve always practiced good money management or you need to turn over that proverbial new leaf, it’s never too late to watch your spending and start saving. Thinking through big purchases, resisting the urge to always buy on credit, and setting financial goals is as important for you as it is for your child, and you will establish a pattern of smart-money behavior that your children can model for years to come.

Setting financial goals is as important for you as it is for your child.

For more money education resources, check out the Parent Money Manual from the American Bankers Association or Feed the Pig.