From the Editor

When we are children, money can be something of an abstract concept. Adults tap a piece of plastic or their phones or hand over pieces of coloured paper (that somehow has been assigned more value than ordinary paper) and receive a service or goods in exchange. Regardless of the item received, it seems like an extraordinarily good deal for minimal output.

 

As we grow and our understanding of money develops, so does our concern about it. “Is there enough? How is it best allocated?” and sometimes, “how do we acquire more of it?” Money can become more complicated as our lives progress and we strike out on our own, perhaps with families and children to care for.

 

The subject of money is taboo enough in our society without the tougher economy much of our country is experiencing right now. With that, Parenting Times Magazine is happy to present our family finance issue to get the conversation going.

 

Our top story is about families who invest heavily—sometimes their monthly bills exceed that of their mortgage payment—in their children’s extracurricular activities.

 

We have a story about second-hand shopping, which saves money and— arguably more importantly—reduces impact on the planet (p. XX) and one on how to budget for a new baby and your child’s private school education.

 

Longtime Parenting Times writer Sheryl Bennett-Wilson deciphers what families need to know about wills, and Dad’s Dispatch’s Jon Willing and Memoirs of a New Dad’s Chris Hunt debate whether kids should get an allowance.

 

How we spend money is very personal and can be controversial, but we’re still hoping that our March Break issue will contain something for everyone. If I may pass on financial advice I learned from my parents when I was growing up: It’s never a mistake to invest in people, education, arts and culture, learning experiences and making memories, as those are the things that enrich your life and make it worthwhile.

 

Best wishes,

 

Tracey