loosening up to add value

[ambimammular]

We're pretty careful with exposure and my kids are being real champs about it, but, you know, it's getting old. So for the sake of our sanity we've lightened up on spending to what would be I'm guessing "normal" person spending. But because I have to get my financial lesson in there somewhere we're writing down the Extra on little slips and putting them in two jars. (joy jars, gratitude jars, friviolous spending, needs a name)

So these are things we would not usually get, like lemon blueberry bread at the farmers' market. We write what we got, and $6 on the back and put it in the jar. Chinese takeout with eggrolls, write $32 on the back, put it in the jar. In the second jar goes the "priceless" stuff. Netflix night with popcorn, fostering kittens, watching the Avatar series with the kids.

The idea is that it will be nice to focus on the positive side and also re-evaluate the value-added from the extra spending. It's a spin on the exercise from Your Money Or Your Life. And because I'm a person who finds it hard to ever spend, I suspect it will help me look at the positive experience that can be bought for say, $200 bucks.

Now that we're "loosening up" what other value-added things can we try?

[Sibley]

Winter is coming. You have kids. Start stocking up on indoor activities, and possibly warm outer clothing so the kids can get outside and play in the cold. The goal is to have a stash of things for the kids to do that you can go when needed. And then rotate them to keep the interesting going.

[John Galt incarnate!]

We're pretty careful with exposure and my kids are being real champs about it, but, you know, it's getting old. So for the sake of our sanity we've lightened up on spending to what would be I'm guessing "normal" person spending. But because I have to get my financial lesson in there somewhere we're writing down the Extra on little slips and putting them in two jars. (joy jars, gratitude jars, friviolous spending, needs a name)

So these are things we would not usually get, like lemon blueberry bread at the farmers' market. We write what we got, and $6 on the back and put it in the jar. Chinese takeout with eggrolls, write $32 on the back, put it in the jar. In the second jar goes the "priceless" stuff. Netflix night with popcorn, fostering kittens, watching the Avatar series with the kids.

The idea is that it will be nice to focus on the positive side and also re-evaluate the value-added from the extra spending. It's a spin on the exercise from Your Money Or Your Life. And because I'm a person who finds it hard to ever spend, I suspect it will help me look at the positive experience that can be bought for say, $200 bucks.

Now that we're "loosening up" what other value-added things can we try?

Have you considered backyard playground equipment such  as swings/seesaw/monkey bars/slide for your children?

Unlike "fancy" food such a lemon-blueberry bread that has a one-time value that ceases soon after it is  consumed a backyard playground has a constant, intrinsic value (let's not count depreciation).

The playground equipment also offers the repeated value of exercise and enjoyment for your children, and your (you and your SO) enjoyment of seeing your children having fun as they use the equipment.

"On average, the price of playground equipment ranges between $100 and $5,000.
National Average: $479
Typical Range: $334 - $660"

I think you would be able to find used playground equipment for the $200 you want to spend.

HAPPY EXERCISING FOR YOUR CHILDREN!

[lhamo]

What about deliberately trying to pair the random splurges that cost you extra money (like the blueberry bread) and lower-cost or DIY versions of more or less the same thing (like checking out a cookbook with similar recipes and making your own version at home)?  Obviously you wouldn't do this on the same day, but if you get the splurge one week and then try the DIY method within a reasonably short timeframe, you should be able to gauge pretty easily how much you enjoyed each option. 

I'm not saying you shouldn't splurge on tasty baked goods every now and then.  But you might find you get even more enjoyment out of making things with your kids.  And that is good knowledge to have going forward, since it would free up the money you might have spent on baked goods for other splurges that are not as easy to DIY.

Also, these days when lots of families are at home and also looking for activities to do with their kids there is a lot of sharing of games and puzzles going on.  Maybe see if other families in your neighborhood are interested in starting a swap or rotation?  Especially with board games, which can get expensive, it is a good way to see which ones your family really enjoys/wants to play over and over.  Those you can eventually buy your own copies of.

[John Galt incarnate!]

What about deliberately trying to pair the random splurges that cost you extra money (like the blueberry bread) and lower-cost or DIY versions of more or less the same thing (like checking out a cookbook with similar recipes and making your own version at home)?  Obviously you wouldn't do this on the same day, but if you get the splurge one week and then try the DIY method within a reasonably short timeframe, you should be able to gauge pretty easily how much you enjoyed each option. 

I'm not saying you shouldn't splurge on tasty baked goods every now and then.  But you might find you get even more enjoyment out of making things with your kids.  And that is good knowledge to have going forward, since it would free up the money you might have spent on baked goods for other splurges that are not as easy to DIY.

Also, these days when lots of families are at home and also looking for activities to do with their kids there is a lot of sharing of games and puzzles going on.  Maybe see if other families in your neighborhood are interested in starting a swap or rotation?  Especially with board games, which can get expensive, it is a good way to see which ones your family really enjoys/wants to play over and over.  Those you can eventually buy your own copies of.

I thought of board games too.

I like your suggestion of the OP's children participating  in cooking/baking goodies.

My siblings and I participated when my mother baked homemade cookies  (chocolate chip and oatmeal).

I have fond  memories of those halcyon days of my childhood.

[mspym]

I was thinking of the try-a-thing/try-make-the-thing combo as well. lhamo's neighbourhood game library idea is also promising - expand to books? I know that a couple of people here started distant socialising groups at the start of *everything* and now that is paying off in strong community bonds - is there a way you can replicate that on your street. Be part of building up a pack of kids and toy exchange?

[OtherJen]

What about deliberately trying to pair the random splurges that cost you extra money (like the blueberry bread) and lower-cost or DIY versions of more or less the same thing (like checking out a cookbook with similar recipes and making your own version at home)?  Obviously you wouldn't do this on the same day, but if you get the splurge one week and then try the DIY method within a reasonably short timeframe, you should be able to gauge pretty easily how much you enjoyed each option. 

I'm not saying you shouldn't splurge on tasty baked goods every now and then.  But you might find you get even more enjoyment out of making things with your kids.  And that is good knowledge to have going forward, since it would free up the money you might have spent on baked goods for other splurges that are not as easy to DIY.

Also, these days when lots of families are at home and also looking for activities to do with their kids there is a lot of sharing of games and puzzles going on.  Maybe see if other families in your neighborhood are interested in starting a swap or rotation?  Especially with board games, which can get expensive, it is a good way to see which ones your family really enjoys/wants to play over and over.  Those you can eventually buy your own copies of.

Seconding the baking with kids suggestion. My niece and nephew love to help their parents in the kitchen. I grew up baking with my mom and grandma.

The winter that was in half-day kindergarten was really long and cold, and my mom and I set out to bake every recipe in Betty Crocker’s Cooky Book. We didn’t get anywhere close to the end, but it was a lot of fun and allowed us to look forward to something. I think that was also the winter that we built a gingerbread house.

Board games and puzzles are a great idea. Or if the kids are old enough to to understand the rules, teach them how to play card games: poker, rummy, gin rummy, euchre. My mom and I used to play rummy for hours.

[John Galt incarnate!]

The winter that was in half-day kindergarten was really long and cold, and my mom and I set out to bake every recipe in Betty Crocker’s Cooky Book. We didn’t get anywhere close to the end, but it was a lot of fun and allowed us to look forward to something. I think that was also the winter that we built a gingerbread house.

Sometimes school would be closed due to a snowstorm.

Almost every time that happened   homemade cookies were on the snack menu.