Quality Time

by Nicole Comeaux, Grocery Getters LLC, www.grocerygettersllc.com

Meetings to make, money to earn, coupons to clip, dinner to cook, children to bathe, the list goes on and on. We are such a busy society that the most important people in our lives can get overlooked. Budgeting money is extremely important, but so is budgeting our time. I played the simplest game with my three-year-old tonight for about an hour: “penny toss.” We started with coins from the piggy bank, then she decided to try other things. We tossed little triangles into the jar, and even little people from a board game. She had a blast and it cost absolutely nothing. Eventually my seven-year-old came along to investigate all the giggling and wanted to become a part of the fun. Soon, we had dad’s attention too! Its so easy to think that to have quality time you have to spend money doing something or going somewhere, but with a little creativity and imagination anything is possible. Now, I have small children and they are very easily entertained for a great price, but what about those teenagers, you know they won’t be sold on the “penny toss.” So, here’s a few ideas for you: take turns listening to favorite radio stations (loads of laughs here I’m sure), go for a drive – let him/her try if you dare, cook something together, go to the park and do something childish like swing or slide, or let your teenager teach you how to do something (this should definitely be entertaining!). Whatever the age, there is time to do it if you budget your time as well as your money and you can be frugal about it if you just make your mind up to do so.
Oh! By the way, the public library is hosting some cool craft activities over the Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks so if you are looking for something to do in that time but strapped for cash check out their website’s calendar, you might find something that you and/or your child would enjoy.
Have a safe weekend!!