The Stay-at-home Parent

By John Ingrisano

“Do you work or stay at home with the kids?”  That hair-trigger question has set off many arguments in the decades-long debate over the economic value of the stay-at-home parent. 

When you add up the value of such services as chauffer, cook, nose wiper, nurse, teacher, sibling referee, housekeeper, disciplinarian and comforter, it’s a pretty important career. 

But what is the job worth in dollars and cents?  Though estimates vary widely and the question may never be settled completely, there have been several recent efforts to realistically quantify the numbers based on some reasonable assumptions.  The most comprehensive study comes from joint research conducted several years ago by University of Utah and Cornell University. 

According to this study, the annual value of household work from married-couple households comes to $20,724.  This average is fairly steady regardless of the number of children or household income. 

That may not sound like much.  However, it adds up to better than $1,700 a month.  More to the point, when it comes to raising a child from birth to age 18, that $20,724 a year translates into a total expense of nearly $375,000.  The chart below shows the simple calculations, and note that this does not even factor in inflation or other variables:

Total cost to raise a child to age 18:

Example:  If you have a 10-year-old child, the total estimated cost of caring for that one child for the next eight years (to age 18) would be approximately $165,792 ($20,724 X 8).  However, if you have a newborn, a six-year-old, and a 10-year-old, the time span between the time when your eldest was born and your youngest child reaches age 18 is 28 years.  The total estimated cost of raising your three children would be approximately $621,720 ($20,724 X 28).  This is also the “replacement” cost if the adult caretaker should die.

Note that these numbers are averages based on one study. There are many factors and variables to consider.

The bottom line:  If you or your spouse stays home for hands-on child rearing, congratulations.  Your job is pretty darn valuable in terms of both emotional currency and dollars and cents. 

So, don’t buy into that slam line:  “Oh, you don’t work.  You’re a stay-at-home parent.”

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Want to learn more about how to manage your money and your life?  Check out The Back to Basics Book of Money! A Couple’s Guide to Financial Peace.  The book contains 10 valuable Couple Money Skills.  Plus, the Back to Basics Book of Money Workbook (which dovetails with the main text) offers 31 practical, hands-on Wealth Builder activities that can help you and your partner build financial and domestic stability.  Both the book and workbook, which retail for $31.98 plus S & H, are available at the Family Finances Conference Center website for $27.99 total.

The Family Finances Conference Center tailors programs to the unique and individual needs of client organizations and their members and employees, based on the principles of the book and workbook set, The Back to Basics Book of Money!  A Couple’s Guide to Financial Peace. 

For more information, contact me at the Family Finances Conference Center by email (john@b2bbookofmoney.com) or my direct phone line (920-559-3722).

John Ingrisano

Director

Family Finances Conference Center

204 Lakeview Drive

Algoma, WI 54201

(920) 559-3722

john@b2bbookofmoney.com

Finding Extra Money for Your Church or Charity

By John Ingrisano

It’s a double whammy. On one hand, I am hearing that contributions to churches, synagogues and other houses of worship are way down due to the state of the economy.  That’s understandable.  People are struggling.  And those that aren’t are concerned that their names may be on the list for the next round of layoffs.

Plus, the number of people needing assistance from local, regional and national outreach programs has ballooned, up as much as 500% in Detroit and other hardest hit places!

“Most people do still have money,” I explained to one friend, a religious leader.  “They’re just concerned, and rightly so.

“So, let me tell you about a way to help them better manage their money AND help you maintain – perhaps even increase – your contributions.”

I then explained how in a single, one-hour seminar/workshop, I show everyday, average people how to “find” up to $2,000 in their own pockets, effortlessly and painlessly, without gimmicks or sleight of hand … just by learning and applying solid money management principles.

My recommendation is that each family then be asked to use $1,000 of that “found” money to improve their own financial security and lifestyle.

And then I encourage them to make the second $1,000 available to benefit the church or charity which they feel has the greatest need.

“That could be as much as $100,000 for our church,” my friend quickly pointed out, assuming one hundred families participated.  I reminded him that all families might not participate and of those that did, not all would donate $1,000.  But on the other hand, some might contribute more than that.

My point:  Whether the amount for your organization is “just” $25,000 or as much as $100,000 or more, members will have the opportunity to put more money back in their pockets AND help their church and other organizations.

United Way?  Good Will?  Other organizations?  The principles are the same.  The purpose is to help people better manage their money and in so doing improve their own standard of living and provide a valuable benefit to their church or charity.

Bonus for individuals: Up to certain legal limits, 100% of their contributions are tax deductible.  If they are in a 35% tax bracket, their taxes will be reduced by $350 for every $1,000 they donate to a bona fide charitable organization.

The Family Finances Conference Center tailors programs to the unique and individual needs of client organizations and their members, based on the principles of my book and workbook set, The Back to Basics Book of Money!  A Couple’s Guide to Financial Peace.

Bonus for churches and other charitable organizations: We will donate $5 back to your organization for every two-book set of books you purchase for your members.

For more information, contact me at the Family Finances Conference Center by email (john@b2bbookofmoney.com) or my direct phone line (920-559-3722).

John Ingrisano
Director
Family Finances Conference Center
204 Lakeview Drive
Algoma, WI 54201
(920) 559-3722
john@b2bbookofmoney.com

Help Your Employees Get Through These Tough Times - By John Ingrisano

By John Ingrisano

Employees are seeing the handwriting on the wall: They’re not expecting year-end bonuses this year or big raises for 2010.  Yes, many will be grateful just to keep their jobs; they may even accept do-or-die wage cuts (something once unheard of) without too much fuss.

Still, don’t expect them to be happy about it. Morale and productivity are likely to take a tumble.  If this happens, no one wins, and those extreme steps you may be forced to keep your company afloat could come back to bite you in the butt.

That’s why a growing number of employers are helping their employees get through these challenging times. They’re turning to less expensive benefits and morale boosters, everything from half-day Fridays (alternating between with pay and without, so everybody shares the pain) to reducing the workweek to four days while keeping hours the same.  Example:  Employees can work four ten-hour days instead of five eight-hour days.  This also can reduce some of your overhead costs such as utilities.

They are also helping them manage their money better.

One of the things I do at my mini-workshops is explain to attendees how easy it is to “leak” money from their financial buckets, and how they can fix the problem … immediately and painlessly.  (For example, if a husband and wife can find a way to reduce their expenses by just $2 each every day, they will have plugged a $1,460 leak each year in their financial bucket!)

These are just some ways employers can help their employees better manage their money and, as a result, better cope with the financial pressures we are all enduring these days.

Need help helping your employees?  Let me know.  We can customize workshops for your company and create a win-win environment at your business.  Contact me at john@b2bbookofmoney.com.  There is no cost or obligation.

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