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At Home Activities to Keep Your Kids Busy in the Fall

At-Home Activities to Keep Your Kids Busy in the Fall

Fall is here and that means it is time to start planning out those seasonal activities. If you haven’t started brainstorming or are stuck on ideas for your fall fun, no worries – we’ve got you covered with these tips to keep your kids busy! Whether you’re planning for the sitter, your own kids, grandkids, or just need something fun to do, take a few minutes to add some activities to your fall to-do list.

Fall Slime 

With the unpredictable fall weather, the best activities can be done in or outside. Slime is a kid favorite, so why not make it fall-themed! This slime recipe will keep them engaged for hours!

How to create Fall Slime: https://bit.ly/3B1HhNH

Sidewalk Chalk Murals

If you get a nice fall day, be sure to craft your very own sidewalk mural before they are covered with snow! Whether you create designs or some games with chalk, you are bound to have a fun time. Sidewalk chalk is a good way to not only have a blast coloring but incorporating some learning. Encourage your kids to write letters, words, and names, as well as draw items to count!

Pumpkin Sensory Bag 

Sensory bags are a blast! Create your own sensory bag by adding in the guts of a pumpkin and allowing your kiddos to engage in sensory play! To create yours add squishy pulp, juice, and pumpkin seeds into a plastic bag. You can even dye your pumpkin seeds with food coloring for additional fun!

Homemade Autumn Playdough

Kids love playdough so you’ll most definitely want to try out making your own – especially when it smells like fall! Check out this helpful recipe to get you started. Don’t wait until Halloween to decorate your pumpkins, use your playdough to craft pumpkins, ghosts, apples, and more!

Milk Carton Boats 

Milk carton boats are a fun craft that gives your kids an opportunity to brainstorm. Use an old milk carton and craft a boat. You can even go as far as painting and decorating it! Once your boat is crafted, pick a nice fall day to put it in water to see how it floats. You can even have a competition and add weight to see who’s stays afloat longest.

Paint Kindness Rocks

Painting rocks can be a colorful craft and an act of kindness. This idea is as easy as finding some rocks and painting them. Paint inspiring words, quotes, or designs so once they are dry you can deliver them to family or place them around your community. Add a fall twist to your rocks or even decorate pumpkins instead to deliver around your town!

Glow in the Dark Mason Jars

Crafting your own glow in the dark mason jars is a must! They are great to keep in the backyard throughout the fall to enjoy.  Here’s what you need to know about this craft to light up your backyard.

Organize Your Own Nature Scavenger Hunt

Get out and about to soak up the fall with your very own nature scavenger hunt. This can be as easy as creating a fall themed list for your kids to get out and find. From leaves to pinecones, this scavenger hunt will keep your kids busy! Keep your fall findings and incorporate them into your next craft!

Bob for Apples

Keep your kids cool and engaged by bobbing for apples. This activity is as easy as filling up a bowl with apples and water and let them bob away! Use this activity to work on counting and sorting. For young kids use this as an activity to improve their motor skills – here’s how. 

Pumpkin Potions

Put on your aprons it’s pumpkin potion time! This wouldn’t be a fun fall activity list if there wasn’t at least one messy idea. To create this messy fun start with the first potion – a typical baking soda and vinegar experiment, which is always a big hit with the kids. Then add shaving cream for an added squishy element.

These ideas are easy to achieve and budget-friendly to keep the kids having fun and engaged this fall!

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

computer

Online Safety: Family Edition

Today, having both Internet access and safety seems nearly impossible. While technology can be enriching and educational, it has its downsides. How can you protect your family from the dangers of the Internet while also allowing them access? Keep reading for some of our online safety tips for families. 

Be Careful What Information You’re Sharing 

Many hackers and identity thieves feed off oversharing. Be careful which websites you’re entering personal information into – don’t trust just any website. Oversharing is also dangerous on social networks, so be sure to make your kids aware of the information that shouldn’t ever be shared, like driver’s licenses, usernames or passwords, addresses, social security numbers, etc. 

Be Careful Using Public Wi-Fi 

Connecting to a public Wi-Fi network can seem harmless and convenient, but that’s not always true. Using public Wi-Fi in places like restaurants and malls is an easy way for hackers and cybercriminals to hack your information. Remember to use a VPN when you connect to a public Wi-Fi network. 

Keep an Eye on Your Social Media Networks 

Random messages from unknown users have become more common as social media becomes more popular. Although it seems obvious to ignore spam messages, delete them and move on, kids might not know to do that. Teach your kids to never respond to an unknown person’s message online, and emphasize how dangerous it is to respond to strangers. The smartest move is to get your kids into the habit of coming to you when they receive a strange message so you can double check the user’s profile. 

Educate Your Children 

Most of the time, the reason kids fall into the trap of hackers is because they’re uneducated. Give your kids a mini lesson about what cybersecurity is, why it’s so important and how they can protect themselves. Remind them that if anything seems unusual, they should talk to you so you can make sure the situation is safe. 

Manage Your Passwords 

Most Internet users have the same couple of passwords for all their accounts, making the hacking process even easier. There are safe password management systems allowing you to use a different password for all of your accounts, while only having to remember one password for the system.  

Backup Your Data 

Cybercriminals that hack into your computer can lock you out of your own important files and information. Keep your files backed up regularly so in that situation, you know your files aren’t lost. 

Although there are many ways your cybersecurity can be compromised, there are multiple ways to protect yourself and your family. We hope you protect your information with these top tips! 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

computer

Money Responsibility 101: Family Edition

Financial responsibility starts in the home. If it’s not something you were taught as a child, it can be difficult to model it in the home as an adult. The good news is, it’s not too late to start! Here’s what you need to know to kick your household into gear. 

Do It Together

The more, the merrier! Many parents feel anxious to talk about finances with the entire household. However, each member of the household will benefit from having an open conversation about finances.  Set goals together and discuss why having goals and sticking to them are important. Review these goals as a family on a consistent basis. You should have your child replicate their own budget with their allowance, which we will cover down below!                                                                   

Diction: It’s Important

Diction means word choice. How you talk about finances makes a big impact on how your children think about finances. It also impacts how you think about finances. It doesn’t have to be a big scary thing when it is discussed as commonplace and in a positive manner.

For example, instead of saying “we can’t afford that” or “we don’t have the budget for it” think of an alternative spin. Simply say something like, “That’s not in the budget for us right now.” It emphasizes that while you may have the money to spend on that item, it’s not planned for in the budget. You’re showing the importance of sticking to a budget and keeping your word. If it’s something that is really important to them, you can show them a way to include it in the budget for a later date. 

Donations

Show your children the importance of giving back by leaving a portion of your family budget aside for donations. Discuss as a family what charity you would like to donate to. If possible, take your children there to show them where that money is going. 

Utilize Allowance 

Having an allowance is an oldie but a goodie! It’s never too early to teach your children about earning money. They will learn to work for money and how to budget it in a way that impacts them directly. You can show them that they can have a portion of their budget set aside for spending “fun” but when it’s gone, it’s gone. 

Budgeting works! You and your family will see this to be true by creating and sticking to one together.

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

piggy-bank

How to Create a Family Budget

As your family grows, so will your budget – but where do you even begin when trying to make one? With all the demands of taking care of your family, it may be hard to find time to make a budget…and stick to it. However, you’ll be ecstatic once you start seeing your hard work pay off. Take a look at how you can begin creating your family budget with these starting points.

Put Everything On The Table

You’ll want to list your income and expenses – don’t leave anything out (even that latte you buy three times a week). Make sure your income is reliable, so if you do get money from side job you do every once in a while, don’t list it, as you never know when you’ll have that cash. Some of your monthly expenses are fixed—mortgage/rent and property taxes—while others may vary, such as electricity, water and groceries. List all the fixed expenses and the amount of the expense. For your variable expenses, write the maximum amount you plan to spend in that category or the amount you expect your bill to be.

See Where The Money Disappears To

When you’re making your budget, where does all of this money go? Can you find ways to cut your expenses, such as buying groceries at a different store or carpooling to cut down on gas? Put all of your money into categories, such as utilities and discretionary spending. Your discretionary spending will account for more than you think. Movie tickets, dining out and that coffee every morning add up fast!

Pick A Goal

Know why you’re making this budget, and don’t just say, “to save more.” By having an actual, detailed goal, you’ll be more motivated to stick to the budget. Maybe you want to pay off your student loans or credit card debt, or your goal is to take a trip! No matter what, having a set goal will make the budgeting process a success.

Track Your Spending

As you begin to start working on your budget, sticking to it and adjusting as you go, it’s important to take detailed notes of your spending. It’s very easy to miss little expenses here and there, especially when you’re so busy running around after your children. By tracking your spending and getting in the habit of doing it every day, you’ll be able to narrow down your budget and make it become more realistic. There are plenty of apps out there to help you easily track your spending, instead of doing it by hand.

Become a frugal family with these top tips! They are a great way to start a simple budget and inch your way towards creating a helpful document that will aid you in saving. Place that savings into an account with us, so you can keep building up your finances!

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

preschooler

6 Money Themed Activities for Preschoolers

Is four years old too early to be learning money management? We don’t believe so! There are many American adults who still struggle with understanding their own finances and keeping a budget. By starting their education early on, you will build their confidence and familiarity with money in order to build a stable foundation for the future. The question is, how do you make it engaging for preschoolers? Here are our 6 favorite money themed activities for your youngsters!

1. Learning About Coins: Time to Sort

To begin teaching little ones about money management, it’s important for them to learn the money itself! A great place to start is to build their familiarity with coins. Grab a muffin tin and ten nickels, dimes, quarters and pennies. Challenge your preschooler to sort each of the coins and teach them the names. You could teach them how to make a pattern in each tin. For an additional challenge, you can label each muffin space with a value where the student can match to each coin’s value. Show them that ten pennies have the same value as a dime and so on.

2. Playing Store

Use the materials you already have around such as play food or simple toys. Label each item with a price tag of five, ten, fifteen or twenty-five cents. Play pretend by giving each student a certain amount of change and teaching them that items always have a value that is exchanged for money. This can help them with counting and remembering the worth of coins.

3. Clip Coupons

Sure, you might take the more tech-savvy approach when it comes to coupons, but the old-fashioned practice of clipping coupons is a fun hands-on way to teach youngsters the worth of items. Once you have the coupons of interest, take them to the store with you and make a game out of finding the items. This is a helpful way to teach them about the importance of saving money.

4. DIY Piggy Bank

Every child should have a piggy bank! Whether it’s a simply decorated jar or a paper mache pig, it is a smart way to teach them about saving early!

5. The Allowance Game

If you want to teach children that in order to get money, they need to work for it, there is no better time to start an allowance. For a preschooler, you can have them do simple tasks around the house. They can “purchase” items from your own DIY store in the home. You can purchase candy or small toys that the child can exchange their earnings for. Let them know the value of each item and clearly explain what they would need to do in order to earn this.

6. The Dollar Dance

To teach preschoolers about bills, grab some ones, fives, tens and twenties. Throw them in a hat and draw one at random. Whatever value you draw, have the child do something X many times. For example, if you drew a $5 bill, you could have them spin in a circle five times. This will help them to become familiar with the value of each bill and where it is located.

These are all good ways to start teaching today’s youth not only about money but how to manage it well. Starting young will give them the confidence they need to be successful with their purchase and investment decisions in the future. Open a savings account for your little one today to teach them more about money!

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

Love and Money: Five Common Mistakes

No couple likes to fight, especially when it comes to finances. Unfortunately, money is the leading cause of stress in relationships. And this isn’t only a problem for couples who are tight on money, as a survey has shown that the more your income increases, the more finances will put a strain on your relationships. What this shows is the importance of being on the same page as your partner when it comes to finances, no matter your incomes.

Peoples Bank & Trust has compiled a list of five common mistakes couples make with their money and how you can avoid them to lessen the stress on your relationship!

  1. Not Talking About Money Before Marriage

It’s important to have an idea of your future partner’s spending style. Is your partner tight with money because they grew up not having a lot? How does this impact how they envision your lifestyle once you are married? What’s their credit score?  It is important to have this conversation, in order to refrain from becoming upset or surprised when one of you splurges/invests. This keeps a nice checks and balances. Take this fantastic quiz to figure out your money type!

  1. Not Having a Budget

If you are too late to avoid mistake #1, this is the perfect time to have that conversation with your spouse. “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” Take stock of what you have coming in, what you owe and what you have for “extras.” This will help to prevent keeping secrets from each other about your spending, because everything is on the table.  Be sure the budget works for BOTH of you, long term.  You can even get your kids involved in order to teach them about money and why having a plan to stick to is important.

  1. Not Having Separate AND Joint Accounts

Are you a couple who only has a joint or separate account? We recommend both! Joint accounts make it easier to share in bills and debt together. However, it is still important to have your own account, so you can still feel autonomous in your decisions to splurge (within range of your budget).

  1. Waiting 30 Years to Pay off Your Mortgage

Just because it is an option, doesn’t mean you really need to take 30 years to pay off your debt! If you do take the full term to repay the debt, you will pay significantly more in interest. Every extra payment that you make towards your home will be applied to the principal balance. This will enable you to sign that last mortgage check much sooner, permitting you to put money toward retirement, or other goals you have together.

  1. Letting One Person Make Decisions

Even if only one of you is bringing in a salary, it is imperative that you are both involved in the financial decisions. If you have one person who is physically making the payments, you should both be reviewing your finances monthly, and making adjustments as needed. Friction can happen when one spouse makes the financial decisions causing the other to feel like a child with a set amount given to them each month. Even if one of you is more financially smart, both should be included in the decisions. There is less of a need to keep secrets from one another when you both have purchase power and communication about your short and long-term goals.

Making a plan and sticking to it together can help lessen financial stress in your relationship. If you feel stuck on where to begin, set up an appointment to speak with one of our specialists at Peoples Bank to help get you both on track to being in charge of your finances.