Posts Tagged Mosaic Reviews
Money Management Certification Program by FamilyMint
Posted by jlsgrant in Book & Product Reviews, Curriculum Reviews on March 20, 2013
Years ago, when the kids were younger, we utilized a simple savings program, to help them understand responsible money management. We paid them an allowance, which they in turn had to divide into five different categories by percentage. Something like this:
- Tithe/Charity: 10%
- Savings for Future/Emergency Fund: 40%
- Savings for Specific Items: 20%
- Spending Money/Gifts for others: 20%
- Educational/Books: 10%
It was a great program to get them started, but as they got older, we got away from using it. (Thankfully, they were diligent to protect their envelope kit, and the folder with their savings for the future sat untouched!)
Fast forward…..It’s time to get beyond the basics. When we received our copy of the award-winning, Money Management Certification Program, I knew it would be a great fit. 
The program starts with entering all money on hand in a register, then tracking all future income and expenses in one place. This was the fun part for us. I watched my son’s face light up as he pulled out his wallet, his secret storage box, and his old envelope system and began to count it out. I don’t think either child had any idea how much money they really had!
The program has the parent act as the banker, but because of their past savings and their ages, we chose to use this time to get real bank accounts for them to manage. They will keep a regular check register for their real bank account and a separate register for their spending money at home.
After learning to track their money, they learned about goal setting, budgeting, and even simple and compound interest. Each new concept is followed by application through a related assignment.
And there is more helpful information available on the FamilyMint Blog
What a great way to get your kids started with Money Management. I love that you have the choice between using an online app OR a workbook. We chose to focus primarily with the workbook edition, because we are using technology solutions for so many other subjects. Both are easy to navigate and effective in teaching your child how to manage their money.
Here’s a quote from the FamilyMint website:
“Financial success and independence starts with forming the right habits and behaviors. This simple step-by-step program is designed to enhance learning and ensure success.”
I think they’re on the right track with this award winning program!
Obviously the key to making this a successful program for your child, is to continue utilizing the concepts learned. The Money Management Certification Program by FamilyMint sets them on an excellent path to disciplined money management. Starting good habits young, will help them achieve goals and make good financial decisions later in life.
So, what have you got to lose? They have a 100% Better-than-Money-Back Guarantee, see website for details!
Designed for ages 10+
As of this writing, there are three options available:
Option 1: Family Introductory Bundle (Workbook & Premium Online Subscription) for $29.99
Option 2: Premium Online Only Subscription – Monthly $4.99 or Annual $24.99
Option 3: FREE online application
FamilyMint has offered a coupon code just for you! From now until March 31st, you can get 20% off your entire order at FamilyMint. Simply enter mosaics20 at checkout to receive this discount.
Please visit the FamilyMint website for the most current information and more details.
Other members of the Mosaic Reviews team have also reviewed this product. Please feel free to visit their blogs by clicking the Mosaic Reviews button.
Disclaimer: Members of the Mosaic Reviews team were given this product in exchange for their honest review. No other compensation of any kind has been received.
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Yearly Blog Planner from Homeschool Creations
Posted by jlsgrant in Book & Product Reviews on February 22, 2013
It is a great thing to get organized BEFORE you start something! That’s why I was so excited that our first assignment for Mosaic Reviews was to choose and review a blog planner.
There were several to choose from; everything from the all-inclusive, oh-my-I’ll-never-fill-all-of-that-out type planner, to the basic, one page, simple planner to keep you focused. This free blog planner, by Homeschool Creations, fell somewhere in between. I thought it would be perfect for someone like me….I am not an everyday blogger, but the planner includes specially designed pages to keep track of reviews and their deadlines and that’s what first caught my attention.
The Homeschool Creations Yearly Blog Planner includes:
- Blank Monthly Calendar pages
- Two week at a glance pages
- Review/Giveaway tracking pages, and
- Additional Planning Helps
The Additional Planning Helps section includes pages for keeping track of other bloggy type things like website analytics, usernames and passwords, affiliate programs, twitter hashtags, link-ups, and notes & ideas.
Honestly, it has taken me a few weeks to get back into the planner habit and I probably shouldn’t call it a “habit” quite yet! But with deadlines for reviews seemingly around every corner, I know I need to get more organized to prevent things from falling through the cracks.
In the past, I have tried to use technology to manage my to-do list. This includes the simple calendar in Outlook and on the opposite extreme, an expensive on-line homeschool planner. But none has really worked for me at this point. Maybe it’s because I am a tactile person. I grew up with paper and pencils in hand and I think that works best for me!
After a few weeks working with the Homeschool Creations Yearly Blog Planner, here are the parts I like best:
The Weekly Pages….when items are assigned for review I schedule all dates relating to final post. From setting up a draft on the blog, to adding images and links, adding specific product information, and finally adding my personal opinions. (I note the deadlines in red ink to make sure I don’t miss them!) For me, this page alone is probably sufficient 🙂
The Blank Calendar Pages…so I can customize and use the same planner next year, instead of needing to buy a new one every year. Each monthly template has a “Focus of the Month” section at the bottom. This is a great place for brainstorming upcoming post ideas.
The Flexibility of an unbound planner…being able to move pages around until I find a system that works best for me.
The Review/Giveaway pages are perfect if you like to record all the important product info on paper. As for me, I generally set up all that information in my draft post on the blog, so I didn’t end up using them.
In the Additional Planning Helps section, my favorite is probably the page for Website & Blog usernames and passwords. I am forever needing to request passwords for websites I haven’t visited in awhile, so this will be a great resource.
Bottom line… I really enjoy using this planner and will continue to use it in the upcoming months.
Ready to get your free copy? You’re just a click away! Just click the FREE Printable Blog Planner image to download yours. When you get to the website, there are tips for setting up and using this planner and links to some of the other planners available.
Be sure to visit other areas of the website for great resources for homeschooling families.
Other members of the Mosaic Reviews team have also reviewed this product. Please feel free to visit their blogs by clicking the Mosaic Reviews button.
Disclaimer: This product was given to members of Mosaic Reviews team in exchange for their honest review. No other compensation of any kind has been received.
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