Some conversations in life are always more awkward than others.  I'm particularly thinking about the ones you have with children when they ask for something.  Those sad puppy eyes have a way of saying 'why can't I have that' and you as a parent want to explain to them why.  Explaining to a 12 year old that there are budget requirements within a house is easier than talking to a 3 year old fortunately.  I was sharing this conversation with Jim, founder of The Ultimate Game of Life, today and how it went down, and how my oldest can understand the value of dollar and how far it can stretch.  Right now some schools cost more than others and as a result, the budget dictates where we send him.  Fortunately, he is in a good school and I loved that Jim acknowledged that I am teaching the children habits for living within our budget, something a lot of America could take heed of.

And though we save as a family to send our children to a school that caters for their needs and those of ours as parents, it means there are some things we go without.  To best serve my children I decided that I need to be a part-time mom, so I work in real estate during those times that my kids are not around.  At 3pm I become mom again, and the homework and the caring and nurturing are turned back on.  I found when I wasn't doing that, the costs well exceeded the benefits; in fact it was hard to find anything that was beneficial.  My children thrived and grew when they were in my care receiving my insights and assistance to living in this world.  Some old fashioned family values.

Or as Jim so eloquently put it as an "Ultimate Game Tip":

 Wealth creation comes from service not just from savings

Posted by Saskia Feain Sassyword (Ultimate Game of Life Level 3 Player)