Teaching Children Charity

Since I started couponing, I have saved thousands of dollars. I have also donated much more than I imagined. At first you hear about the stigma of hoarding. I figured my donating would offset any fear I had of hoarding. Hoarding has never been an issue of course but my mindset to donate has remained part of my shopping trips.

I try to involve the kids in this as well. I have six year old twins, five year old twins and a two year old. If they are not in school, they go to the food pantry drop offs with me. They know my two year old when he walks in the door. He knows exactly where to put the donation items and where they let him take his piece of candy.

So my six year old son approached me recently.

He said, “I need you to find the deals and I want to pay for what is left over.”

He had been saving some money. He knew he could donate more items if we used coupons. Luckily, one of our local stores was having a great sale in personal care items.

Personal care items are great donation items and our pantry is often low on these. We went to the store and went shopping. For three dollars, he purchased:

• A large Tide detergent
• Four deodorants
• One shampoo
• One body wash
• One dish washing soap

Luckily, our food pantry is in on the school property so I picked him up the next day during his lunch time and let him drop off his donation.

He was so proud.

So was I.

The next day two of my sons wanted jobs so they could make more money to donate more. I loved their enthusiasm.

They created a flyer stating they would help pick up dog poop.

Yup. Gross stuff. But, how many other jobs can six year olds have?

They secured one yard each with a the rate of $5/yard/week. They both agreed that for every $5 raised, they would donate $4 and could keep $1. The jobs have been amazing by helping them show independence and responsibility.

Yesterday my son reminded me that they had been asked to bring in some money for a specific charity. He immediately went into his Pooper Scooper money, pulled out $5 and put it in his back pack. I asked if he needed me to donate some money as well. He said, "Mom, I got it covered."

Amazing how this all just started with me starting to coupon.

I guess coupons are more than just bar codes.

© 2012 Karen Lackey