Oct
31
Horseback riding western style in the detroit area?
Filed Under Other - Outdoor Recreation | Comments Off
Hanna Banana asked:
I live in farmington hills, michigan, and i’m looking for a good place to horse back ride western style. i have a small lake cottage out by halfmoon, and there is a great horseback riding place there. it’s called High water Chorale. I love it there, but unfortunately its too far from home to go a lot. so i was wondering if anyone new a good place in the area somewhat. Thanks!
I’m looking for places with trail riding additionally, if they’ve got it there.
ALVARO
I live in farmington hills, michigan, and i’m looking for a good place to horse back ride western style. i have a small lake cottage out by halfmoon, and there is a great horseback riding place there. it’s called High water Chorale. I love it there, but unfortunately its too far from home to go a lot. so i was wondering if anyone new a good place in the area somewhat. Thanks!
I’m looking for places with trail riding additionally, if they’ve got it there.
ALVARO
Oct
30
Filed Under Equestrian | Comments Off
David Lathan asked:
Meditation and Relaxation Add to Western Horseback Riding
New riders are often drawn to western horseback riding for the reason that it appears less rigorous than other riding disciplines. The fact is nothing could be further from the truth. Although western styled riding is more laid back in general it requires every bit as much attention and skill even when compared to the skill of dressage. Controlling a 1200 pound animal is no uncomplicated feat regardless of how competently taught and the unique communication between animal and man based on mutual respect is as essential in western horseback riding as it is in any other style.
As rigorous as western horseback riding is there is some reason for the belief it is relaxed. Though it takes knack there is a mental and physical relaxation involved in western horseback riding that is as much a part of the skill as it is part of the satisfaction. Using relaxation to broaden western riding abilities has become a key to excelling in the competitive world of western style riding events.
Locating Your Core
Just as in meditation and relaxation techniques finding your center is crucial in western horseback riding. Employing many of the same methods used by yoga and meditation experts can help you relax into your seat. In western horseback riding the seat even more than in all other riding disciplines is a major communication center. Sitting deep and comfortably will ensure a direct line of communication. Relaxed reins offer less continuous contact with the mouth and being able to use legs and seat to transform desires helps develop a pivotal relationship between horse and rider.
Getting a Leg Up
With all of the benefits of western horseback riding it is very well suited to helping disabled children and adults alike enjoy the inherent communication between horse and man. The benefits extend even further in that the muscles used to sit a horse are naturally engaged and steadiness is improved along with mental stillness. There have been numerous cases where therapeutic horseback riding has helped bring autistic children out of their shells even for short moments, given physically disabled children and adults more dexterity and confidence, and made important strides in the mental well-being of psychologically distressed individuals.
Past Connecting the Yet to come
While it is less historically known in Europe western horseback riding has a root deep into the western past of America. Those roots connect to the current era of competition, trail riding, open country, combination training, and even most recently Olympic riding endeavors. The future of western horseback riding is ensured by its value in stock control, exciting rodeo events, challenging gaming events, as much as in the relaxing mental setting it provides.
ELVIN
Meditation and Relaxation Add to Western Horseback Riding
New riders are often drawn to western horseback riding for the reason that it appears less rigorous than other riding disciplines. The fact is nothing could be further from the truth. Although western styled riding is more laid back in general it requires every bit as much attention and skill even when compared to the skill of dressage. Controlling a 1200 pound animal is no uncomplicated feat regardless of how competently taught and the unique communication between animal and man based on mutual respect is as essential in western horseback riding as it is in any other style.
As rigorous as western horseback riding is there is some reason for the belief it is relaxed. Though it takes knack there is a mental and physical relaxation involved in western horseback riding that is as much a part of the skill as it is part of the satisfaction. Using relaxation to broaden western riding abilities has become a key to excelling in the competitive world of western style riding events.
Locating Your Core
Just as in meditation and relaxation techniques finding your center is crucial in western horseback riding. Employing many of the same methods used by yoga and meditation experts can help you relax into your seat. In western horseback riding the seat even more than in all other riding disciplines is a major communication center. Sitting deep and comfortably will ensure a direct line of communication. Relaxed reins offer less continuous contact with the mouth and being able to use legs and seat to transform desires helps develop a pivotal relationship between horse and rider.
Getting a Leg Up
With all of the benefits of western horseback riding it is very well suited to helping disabled children and adults alike enjoy the inherent communication between horse and man. The benefits extend even further in that the muscles used to sit a horse are naturally engaged and steadiness is improved along with mental stillness. There have been numerous cases where therapeutic horseback riding has helped bring autistic children out of their shells even for short moments, given physically disabled children and adults more dexterity and confidence, and made important strides in the mental well-being of psychologically distressed individuals.
Past Connecting the Yet to come
While it is less historically known in Europe western horseback riding has a root deep into the western past of America. Those roots connect to the current era of competition, trail riding, open country, combination training, and even most recently Olympic riding endeavors. The future of western horseback riding is ensured by its value in stock control, exciting rodeo events, challenging gaming events, as much as in the relaxing mental setting it provides.
ELVIN
Oct
30
HELP i need to find a horseback riding summer camp?
Filed Under Horses | Comments Off
mylynnallen asked:
i need to find a horseback riding summer camp before they all get book. i need to find one in ohio and/or michigan. thank you thank you
ARNOLD
i need to find a horseback riding summer camp before they all get book. i need to find one in ohio and/or michigan. thank you thank you
ARNOLD
Oct
28
Filed Under Equestrian | Comments Off
Pat Ga asked:
Pony riding refers to the practice of riding on horseback, for sports, recreation, care or working purposes. It refers to the sport or past-time of sitting on a horse and controlling it as it moves along. The art of handling and riding or driving horses is known as equestrianism. Pony riding is also known as horseback riding.
Horses and riders achieve different skills through coaching. Horses are trained and ridden for different purposes.
You need to select a horse that suits your personality and capabilities.
Horses can be trained, but there are only some things that can not ever be changed. A horse can be too hot blooded, too coarse gaited or too self-willed for you.
Do not just select a pony as you like its reproduce or you suspect it is beautiful. Remember that you’ll be with your horse for a long time. If you cannot manage your horse then it’s going to be tricky for you to be taught how to ride.
Second, really know your horse because it isn’t not a human, so it doesn’t think, see, smell, hear or reason like you. Identify your pony’s behavior, instincts as well as its natural reaction to its surroundings. Knowing your horse will ensure your safety on and off the ground and your pony’s safety as well.
Third, listen to your instructor and learn. You get an instructor as you don’t understand the way to handle or ride a horse and you would like to learn those things. , you’ve got to trust your instructor. It’s your instructor who will train you ways to handle a horse in all situations so that you and your horse do not get hurt. Learning to ride a horse is not easy, but keep trying to do what the coach is telling you.
Fourth, attempt to learn from professional riders. And the only persons who can provide you it are the professional riders because they have so much experience in which you can learn from.
Target your goal and don’t think of other folk as your competitors.
Author Lisa Blackstone is an equestrian and an Arabian horse training and breeding businessman. She hosts the Pony and Rider Radio Show in Atlanta, Georgia, where she debates info major to the newb. For more tips and laws go to Horse Riding Books and Horseback Riding Lessons.
GALE
Pony riding refers to the practice of riding on horseback, for sports, recreation, care or working purposes. It refers to the sport or past-time of sitting on a horse and controlling it as it moves along. The art of handling and riding or driving horses is known as equestrianism. Pony riding is also known as horseback riding.
Horses and riders achieve different skills through coaching. Horses are trained and ridden for different purposes.
You need to select a horse that suits your personality and capabilities.
Horses can be trained, but there are only some things that can not ever be changed. A horse can be too hot blooded, too coarse gaited or too self-willed for you.
Do not just select a pony as you like its reproduce or you suspect it is beautiful. Remember that you’ll be with your horse for a long time. If you cannot manage your horse then it’s going to be tricky for you to be taught how to ride.
Second, really know your horse because it isn’t not a human, so it doesn’t think, see, smell, hear or reason like you. Identify your pony’s behavior, instincts as well as its natural reaction to its surroundings. Knowing your horse will ensure your safety on and off the ground and your pony’s safety as well.
Third, listen to your instructor and learn. You get an instructor as you don’t understand the way to handle or ride a horse and you would like to learn those things. , you’ve got to trust your instructor. It’s your instructor who will train you ways to handle a horse in all situations so that you and your horse do not get hurt. Learning to ride a horse is not easy, but keep trying to do what the coach is telling you.
Fourth, attempt to learn from professional riders. And the only persons who can provide you it are the professional riders because they have so much experience in which you can learn from.
Target your goal and don’t think of other folk as your competitors.
Author Lisa Blackstone is an equestrian and an Arabian horse training and breeding businessman. She hosts the Pony and Rider Radio Show in Atlanta, Georgia, where she debates info major to the newb. For more tips and laws go to Horse Riding Books and Horseback Riding Lessons.
GALE
Oct
26
Filed Under Travel | Comments Off
Devinder Patel asked:
Florida’s wildlife is fun to watch and there is white tailed deer, barred owls, raccoons, alligators and diamondback rattle snakes amongst many others.
A vast variety of trees can be found at Rock Springs Run State Reserve. In its 14,000 acres of land, it has trees that can be found throughout central Florida’s landscape.
Facilities here available here are camping, hiking, nature study, picnicking, biking, limited hunting and horseback riding. Vehicle entry to the park is also limited.
Walking, cycling and horseback riding is available at Gainesville-Howthorne State Trail. It is located quite near the city of Gainesville. This railroad got constructed in 1850 from Fernandina to Cedar Key. Parking is provided at the two trailheads, Bouleware Springs Park in Gainesville and in Hawthorne.
If you want to observe some wet marsh lands with mesic trees than come to San Felasco Hammock State Preserve. It is spread in 6,500 acres and extreme changes in elevations make it a beautiful landscape. Many species of hardwood trees can be found here like hydric hammock, sand hill, swamp etc. On request you can explore the interiors on a horseback, go group hiking or simply walk.
On Amelia Island where tourist places and residential buildings are fully developed, just a little South in this island you will find Amelia Island State Recreation Area. It is spread in 200 acres in undeveloped sea offering lots of recreations.
Original Florida can be seen here with its virgin beaches, salt marshes and coastal maritime forests. Sea horse stables offer a ride on the horseback on these beaches. Other activities include fishing, hiking, bird watching and sunning.
Gasparilla Island State Recreation Area is a place for commercial fishing. Collecting live shells is prohibited, but still you can do swimming and excellent salt water fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. Picnicking, shelling in winter and swimming in the deep waters of Boca Grande Pass are the other facilities offered.
In 1978, a bordering body of water Big Lagoon gave its name to Big Lagoon State Recreation Area. It is in 698 upland acres and beckons the visitors with recreational activities.
A boat ramp and dock makes it easy to the lagoon and water ways. A variety of fish are found here like red fish, blue fish, flounder and sea trout seasonally. Crabbing and castnetting are also popular here..
When sand bars created by the current of Apalachicola River blocked the Chipola Rive, it created Dead Lakes State Recreation Area. This process killed lots of trees, giving this place its name.
With a boat ramp, it offers boating, fishing, camping and nature study. John U. Lloyd State Recreation Area is a barrier between Atlantic Ocean and the Interacostal Waterways, Port Everglades on the North and Dania in the South.
On the Northern side of the park you can do fishing and watch the ships going and leaving Port Everglades. OK, lots to look at and enjoy in the state of Florida.
RAYMUNDO
Florida’s wildlife is fun to watch and there is white tailed deer, barred owls, raccoons, alligators and diamondback rattle snakes amongst many others.
A vast variety of trees can be found at Rock Springs Run State Reserve. In its 14,000 acres of land, it has trees that can be found throughout central Florida’s landscape.
Facilities here available here are camping, hiking, nature study, picnicking, biking, limited hunting and horseback riding. Vehicle entry to the park is also limited.
Walking, cycling and horseback riding is available at Gainesville-Howthorne State Trail. It is located quite near the city of Gainesville. This railroad got constructed in 1850 from Fernandina to Cedar Key. Parking is provided at the two trailheads, Bouleware Springs Park in Gainesville and in Hawthorne.
If you want to observe some wet marsh lands with mesic trees than come to San Felasco Hammock State Preserve. It is spread in 6,500 acres and extreme changes in elevations make it a beautiful landscape. Many species of hardwood trees can be found here like hydric hammock, sand hill, swamp etc. On request you can explore the interiors on a horseback, go group hiking or simply walk.
On Amelia Island where tourist places and residential buildings are fully developed, just a little South in this island you will find Amelia Island State Recreation Area. It is spread in 200 acres in undeveloped sea offering lots of recreations.
Original Florida can be seen here with its virgin beaches, salt marshes and coastal maritime forests. Sea horse stables offer a ride on the horseback on these beaches. Other activities include fishing, hiking, bird watching and sunning.
Gasparilla Island State Recreation Area is a place for commercial fishing. Collecting live shells is prohibited, but still you can do swimming and excellent salt water fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. Picnicking, shelling in winter and swimming in the deep waters of Boca Grande Pass are the other facilities offered.
In 1978, a bordering body of water Big Lagoon gave its name to Big Lagoon State Recreation Area. It is in 698 upland acres and beckons the visitors with recreational activities.
A boat ramp and dock makes it easy to the lagoon and water ways. A variety of fish are found here like red fish, blue fish, flounder and sea trout seasonally. Crabbing and castnetting are also popular here..
When sand bars created by the current of Apalachicola River blocked the Chipola Rive, it created Dead Lakes State Recreation Area. This process killed lots of trees, giving this place its name.
With a boat ramp, it offers boating, fishing, camping and nature study. John U. Lloyd State Recreation Area is a barrier between Atlantic Ocean and the Interacostal Waterways, Port Everglades on the North and Dania in the South.
On the Northern side of the park you can do fishing and watch the ships going and leaving Port Everglades. OK, lots to look at and enjoy in the state of Florida.
RAYMUNDO
Oct
24
What should I wear on my first horseback riding lesson?
Filed Under Horses | Comments Off
Ladeeh Bugee <3 asked:
It’s going to be my first horseback riding lesson EVER, it’s this coming Monday. I’m so excited ^_^
It’s going to be my first horseback riding lesson EVER, it’s this coming Monday. I’m so excited ^_^
also, what should I be expecting to learn?
ROLANDO
Oct
23
What is a good horseback riding summer camp in michigan?
Filed Under Other - Outdoor Recreation | Comments Off
Audrey asked:
I’m 14 and i can’t find a good specialty english horseback riding camp in michigan. The only ones i do find are $1,000 a week, and that isnt in the family budget.
I’m 14 and i can’t find a good specialty english horseback riding camp in michigan. The only ones i do find are $1,000 a week, and that isnt in the family budget. I’m an intermediate rider, i can walk, trot, and canter…and do trotting poles etc.
CLIFF
I’m 14 and i can’t find a good specialty english horseback riding camp in michigan. The only ones i do find are $1,000 a week, and that isnt in the family budget.
I’m 14 and i can’t find a good specialty english horseback riding camp in michigan. The only ones i do find are $1,000 a week, and that isnt in the family budget. I’m an intermediate rider, i can walk, trot, and canter…and do trotting poles etc.
CLIFF
Oct
22
Where can I go horseback riding in the Grand Traverse area of Michigan?
Filed Under Other - Outdoor Recreation | Comments Off
Jones asked:
I’m in the Traverse Area of northern lower michigan for awhile, and am looking for places to go horseback riding next weekend; the only place I can get prices online that I’m finding is Ranch Rudolph, which seems to be a ripoff for $35 an hour.
I’m in the Traverse Area of northern lower michigan for awhile, and am looking for places to go horseback riding next weekend; the only place I can get prices online that I’m finding is Ranch Rudolph, which seems to be a ripoff for $35 an hour.
Does anybody else know of a place that offers horseback riding for cheaper, and/or longer?
HARVEY
Oct
20
Filed Under Destinations | Comments Off
Ryan Burden asked:
Planning your Caribbean honeymoon shouldn’t be as complex as planning your wedding… Right! But with so many enticing options, where do you start? Well, start here of course and let me help you discover the best of the best honeymoon destinations.
Certainly you’re looking for a romantic adventure where you’ll experience many “first time” events together and every couple wants something a little different. I had a fabulous Caribbean honeymoon and have taken some great trips in my lifetime. Check out these top picks and what makes them special. One of them is perfect for that memorable trip you’ve been dreaming of!
Barbados
This island is absolutely gorgeous and you will definitely leave feeling spoiled. Stay at the secluded 110-year-old Crane Hotel for nostalgic romance or at the Peach & Quiet for a budget honeymoon. It’s the adventurous couples dream with clear blue waters for scuba divers, windsurfers, and sightseeing from the air in a helicopter or underwater in a mini-sub. You’ll find decent beaches here, but not the best of the bunch.
Turks & Caicos
If you like small secluded luxury hotels with world-class spas and great restaurants, then you’ll love it here on any of the eight inhabited islands. The uncrowded beaches are absolutely fabulous. You may even end up sunbathing next to a movie star as many vacation in the Turks & Caicos. Go horseback riding, sail to one of the many deserted islands and play “Lost” for the day, see flocks of flamingos or thousands of iguanas on Little Water Cay. The scuba diving and snorkeling are phenomenal as is the deep-sea fishing and bone fishing. Kite-boarding, windsurfing and other water sports are also popular. A definite favorite for a perfect beach honeymoon vacation!
St. Lucia
This island is straight out of a fairytale with lush tropical scenery and twin mountain peaks covered in rain forest serenity. The locals are very friendly and seeing the St. Lucia Soufriere volcano from the inside will leave you in awe. Taking a day to tour the island on horseback is one of the major reasons this is in the top ten places to take a Caribbean honeymoon. Also, many hotels really cater to honeymooners with all-inclusive packages. Go in May and you’ll catch the Jazz Festival, which is way fun!
Dominican Republic
A great choice for a budget honeymoon that still had beautiful beaches and lots to offer. Taking a catamaran ride to the enchanting Saona Island is just one of the ways to enjoy this romantic getaway. Add a visit to the 600-acre Ecological Park enjoying a dozen blue lagoons is nothing short then a romantic getaway in heaven.
Martinique
A great romantic get-a-way, yet for some reason it’s still underrated compared to the rest here. Inhale the French culture along with the tantalizing scents of the beautiful flowers that consume the entire island. Take a canopy tour and go hiking in the rain forest canyons before getting a taste of superb Creole cuisine, going shopping and sampling the fairly lively nightlife.
Anguilla
When people choose a Caribbean honeymoon this island is over-looked more times than not. I have no idea why because it’s built for couples to enjoy. You won’t find much commercialization here, the nightlife is pretty low-key and water sports are not a big draw. But you’ll have dozens of fantastic beaches to explore and the fine dining is possibly the best in all the Caribbean.
British Virgin Islands (BVI)
You have several islands to choose from with many hotel options for a secluded romantic retreat. Ride a yacht to the famous Baths of Virgin Gorda or find a hidden beach for you and your loved to enjoy all alone. The beach bars on Jost Van **** are a fun hangout popular with sailors.
US Virgin Islands (USVI)
All beautiful areas here, the fact that they’re all considered part of the United States makes things more convenient. St. John has the best beaches and diving while St. Thomas is known for excellent dining and shopping. Of course, St. Croix is cheaper and also has casinos, so you pick or hop around. The variety of USVI makes it one of the best honeymoon destinations.
Jamaica
I absolutely love Ocho Rios. The Dunn’s River Falls has got to be the coolest adventure climb on any island. Climb the waterfall and jump back down into the water… amazing! Horseback riding on the beach, a little reggae music and rum at sunset and you’ve got yourself a nice romantic getaway plus it’s great for a budget honeymoon.
Cayman Islands
Saving this for last simply because if you want to take a romantic Caribbean honeymoon and still feel like your back home this is the closest thing you’ll come across. With many American themes you won’t feel too far away, but taking in some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in the Caribbean will be breathtaking. Also, if you are into shopping and eating well, then the Caymans have got to be a top pick for you Caribbean honeymoon.
Now that you’ve got some good ideas, you just have to decide which is the best honeymoon destination for you. Hopefully this list has got you excited and also helped narrow down your choices too. Good luck and have fun. Whichever one you decide on, I hope you two have a wonderful wedding and a romantic honeymoon!
BRYANT
Planning your Caribbean honeymoon shouldn’t be as complex as planning your wedding… Right! But with so many enticing options, where do you start? Well, start here of course and let me help you discover the best of the best honeymoon destinations.
Certainly you’re looking for a romantic adventure where you’ll experience many “first time” events together and every couple wants something a little different. I had a fabulous Caribbean honeymoon and have taken some great trips in my lifetime. Check out these top picks and what makes them special. One of them is perfect for that memorable trip you’ve been dreaming of!
Barbados
This island is absolutely gorgeous and you will definitely leave feeling spoiled. Stay at the secluded 110-year-old Crane Hotel for nostalgic romance or at the Peach & Quiet for a budget honeymoon. It’s the adventurous couples dream with clear blue waters for scuba divers, windsurfers, and sightseeing from the air in a helicopter or underwater in a mini-sub. You’ll find decent beaches here, but not the best of the bunch.
Turks & Caicos
If you like small secluded luxury hotels with world-class spas and great restaurants, then you’ll love it here on any of the eight inhabited islands. The uncrowded beaches are absolutely fabulous. You may even end up sunbathing next to a movie star as many vacation in the Turks & Caicos. Go horseback riding, sail to one of the many deserted islands and play “Lost” for the day, see flocks of flamingos or thousands of iguanas on Little Water Cay. The scuba diving and snorkeling are phenomenal as is the deep-sea fishing and bone fishing. Kite-boarding, windsurfing and other water sports are also popular. A definite favorite for a perfect beach honeymoon vacation!
St. Lucia
This island is straight out of a fairytale with lush tropical scenery and twin mountain peaks covered in rain forest serenity. The locals are very friendly and seeing the St. Lucia Soufriere volcano from the inside will leave you in awe. Taking a day to tour the island on horseback is one of the major reasons this is in the top ten places to take a Caribbean honeymoon. Also, many hotels really cater to honeymooners with all-inclusive packages. Go in May and you’ll catch the Jazz Festival, which is way fun!
Dominican Republic
A great choice for a budget honeymoon that still had beautiful beaches and lots to offer. Taking a catamaran ride to the enchanting Saona Island is just one of the ways to enjoy this romantic getaway. Add a visit to the 600-acre Ecological Park enjoying a dozen blue lagoons is nothing short then a romantic getaway in heaven.
Martinique
A great romantic get-a-way, yet for some reason it’s still underrated compared to the rest here. Inhale the French culture along with the tantalizing scents of the beautiful flowers that consume the entire island. Take a canopy tour and go hiking in the rain forest canyons before getting a taste of superb Creole cuisine, going shopping and sampling the fairly lively nightlife.
Anguilla
When people choose a Caribbean honeymoon this island is over-looked more times than not. I have no idea why because it’s built for couples to enjoy. You won’t find much commercialization here, the nightlife is pretty low-key and water sports are not a big draw. But you’ll have dozens of fantastic beaches to explore and the fine dining is possibly the best in all the Caribbean.
British Virgin Islands (BVI)
You have several islands to choose from with many hotel options for a secluded romantic retreat. Ride a yacht to the famous Baths of Virgin Gorda or find a hidden beach for you and your loved to enjoy all alone. The beach bars on Jost Van **** are a fun hangout popular with sailors.
US Virgin Islands (USVI)
All beautiful areas here, the fact that they’re all considered part of the United States makes things more convenient. St. John has the best beaches and diving while St. Thomas is known for excellent dining and shopping. Of course, St. Croix is cheaper and also has casinos, so you pick or hop around. The variety of USVI makes it one of the best honeymoon destinations.
Jamaica
I absolutely love Ocho Rios. The Dunn’s River Falls has got to be the coolest adventure climb on any island. Climb the waterfall and jump back down into the water… amazing! Horseback riding on the beach, a little reggae music and rum at sunset and you’ve got yourself a nice romantic getaway plus it’s great for a budget honeymoon.
Cayman Islands
Saving this for last simply because if you want to take a romantic Caribbean honeymoon and still feel like your back home this is the closest thing you’ll come across. With many American themes you won’t feel too far away, but taking in some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in the Caribbean will be breathtaking. Also, if you are into shopping and eating well, then the Caymans have got to be a top pick for you Caribbean honeymoon.
Now that you’ve got some good ideas, you just have to decide which is the best honeymoon destination for you. Hopefully this list has got you excited and also helped narrow down your choices too. Good luck and have fun. Whichever one you decide on, I hope you two have a wonderful wedding and a romantic honeymoon!
BRYANT
Oct
20
Filed Under Parenting | Comments Off
Frugal Fanny asked:
Can you remember what it was like to be a kid and really, really want something? To feel like all your future happiness hinged on your ability to get your hands on that one item, be it a pony, a bicycle or a comic book? To look forward to the next gift-giving holiday with hope and worry? To empty your piggy bank, count, recount and calculate how many more months allowance you still needed? Of course you can. And you can probably remember exactly what it was that you were saving up for. For me, it was a horse. And I’m certain that you can remember whether or not you ever managed to get it. Me? I didn’t.
But no matter what the details of your memories, happy or sad, you learned something from them. In a nutshell, you learned about money — what it can and can’t buy, how it doesn’t grow on trees, and why you need to be careful about when and where you spend it. Simple lessons learned in a simple way, at a simple time in life.
Sometimes I wonder if the emotions people attach to their allowance-related memories aren’t drowning out the lessons. So often what we remember most is the disappointment of unfulfilled dreams, or the weeks, months or years we spent feeling like have-nots. These negative feelings tempt us to forget the valuable lessons connected to them, and it seems to me like too many people are giving in to their temptations, turning a blind eye to the lessons they once knew, and vowing that their children will never want for anything.
Not all life’s lessons are pleasant to learn, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s still better to live through them when you’ve still got time to learn from them. Not getting that horse as a kid has, in the long run, made me a lot happier than I would have been if my parents had spent way beyond their means to see my dream come true. For one thing, our already-tight family budget would have snapped and I’m sure my parents would have snapped too. I wouldn’t have learned how to save because I wouldn’t have had to pull $8 from my piggy bank — two weeks allowance — for each horseback riding lesson. Later, when I was big enough, I’d learn a little bit more about work by helping out at the horse farm in exchange for free lessons. And in the end, after years of working on the farm and riding, I realised that horses live longer than my dream was going to and that I’d been having the same experience, or maybe even a better one, than my horse-owning friends who were now stuck with a very expensive pet they couldn’t take to college with them.
Two summer camp experiences stick out in my mind. The first was when I was about 10 years old, at a day camp for Girl Scouts. I remember explaining the agreement my parents and I had about my horseback riding lessons to an inquisitive camp counselor. Actually, I think it was the camp director. She was amazed that I was willing to forfeit all my allowance money (and all the candy, toys and whatever else kids spend their money on) for one half hour of horseback riding twice a month. I was amazed that she was so amazed, amazed enough that I still remember the conversation. I thought that was just the way things were; everyone had to prioritize their desires/needs and make sacrifices You couldn’t have everything.
In retrospect, I still think that’s the way things are — we do have to prioritize and make sacrifices - but I’m a lot less surprised that my camp director was so shocked that I, at the age of 10, seemed to know this. Ten years later, I would be the camp employee shocked by what kids do and don’t know about money. I spent a few summers working at an academic summer program, a cross between a summer school and a summer camp. I was the “Supply Office” manager, responsible for the program’s entire inventory and purchasing of classroom supplies. I know that doesn’t sound like much, but the program was home to 700 kids for six straight weeks and the number of classes was somewhere around 300, each with its own budget, and many with titles like “Cooking with Chemistry” or “Fashion Design — Make Your Own Clothes” requiring a lot of supplies. If an instructor needed a box of paper clips or a lemon, they came to me so that I could check through their budget to see if they had enough money to make the purchase. If they did, I put their request on the shopping list for my staff to buy. There were a lot of boxes of paper clips and a lot of lemons… And rocket engines and pink lace and whiffle ball bats and clown noses and frozen turkeys.
And then there were the bogus requests. One of my favorites was a requisition for liquid nitrogen and no, that wasn’t a joke; someone was really expecting me to get it for their class. But more frequently the bogus requests came from instructors (all college students) who obviously never had an allowance as a child and weren’t paying for their tuition, meal plan, books or toothpaste. Once an architecture instructor asked me to get something like $75 worth of foam board for a one time activity when he only had a budget of $100 for the entire 6 weeks! I remember fighting with him, trying to convince him that even though using plain tag board wouldn’t work quite as well for the activity it was still better than having no money or supplies left for the rest of the summer. Not long after, my staff and I adopted the Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” as our official office theme song.
Too many of the kids attending the summer program were a kind of spoilt I could never have imagined. They would roll in on the first day with an entire set of authentic Louis Vuitton luggage and turn their noses up at the college dorm rooms they were expected to sleep in, leading me to wonder how they were going to get through the summer. The thing about kids is that they’re very good at adapting. The first few days were always tough, but most of them made it through just fine without their Starbucks, cell phones or favorite evening meal. Yet I pale to think how quickly these same kids adapted right back to their old lifestyles upon returning home.
So the moral of the story is this: allowance is good, not bad! Remember the lessons you learned from it and if you have kids of your own, do them the same favor your parents did you and be tough about allowance. As soon as your children are mature enough to understand the cause and effect relationships of money (probably sometime between the ages of 8 and 10), set a weekly amount, clear requirements for “earning” the allowance, and boundaries about what kinds of things your children are expected to buy for themselves. And then, stick to those boundaries.
This is the hard part. For example, if your son is saving up for something he will probably have to give up other things he wants; you need to be willing to watch him go without. Don’t “reward” him by giving him extra money or buying him the things he is giving up. To do so would be to completely undermine the lessons of allowance. He is supposed to realise that if he spends all his allowance on a pair of fancy sneakers, he won’t have any money left to go to the movies that weekend and show off those snazzy new shoes. Instead, reward his good budgeting behavior by giving him additional privileges and freedoms regarding his money (maybe let him buy those concert tickets, etc.) By doing so you also give him additional opportunities to learn how to be responsible with his money.
It won’t be easy, especially if your family’s finances allow room for occasional splurges, but when you’re tempted to stray from your own rules, just remember, you’re probably in this position because you learned about money as a kid. And if you don’t find yourself rolling in extra cash, then setting a budget for your kids (and for yourself regarding what you’ll spend on luxury items for them) can help you balance your own household budget and adopt frugality as an entire family commitment.
I wasn’t a genius at age 10 (some things never change) just because I knew that I needed to prioritize my wants and needs; I was just lucky — lucky that my parents had stood firm and taught me the lessons of allowance.
WINSTON
Can you remember what it was like to be a kid and really, really want something? To feel like all your future happiness hinged on your ability to get your hands on that one item, be it a pony, a bicycle or a comic book? To look forward to the next gift-giving holiday with hope and worry? To empty your piggy bank, count, recount and calculate how many more months allowance you still needed? Of course you can. And you can probably remember exactly what it was that you were saving up for. For me, it was a horse. And I’m certain that you can remember whether or not you ever managed to get it. Me? I didn’t.
But no matter what the details of your memories, happy or sad, you learned something from them. In a nutshell, you learned about money — what it can and can’t buy, how it doesn’t grow on trees, and why you need to be careful about when and where you spend it. Simple lessons learned in a simple way, at a simple time in life.
Sometimes I wonder if the emotions people attach to their allowance-related memories aren’t drowning out the lessons. So often what we remember most is the disappointment of unfulfilled dreams, or the weeks, months or years we spent feeling like have-nots. These negative feelings tempt us to forget the valuable lessons connected to them, and it seems to me like too many people are giving in to their temptations, turning a blind eye to the lessons they once knew, and vowing that their children will never want for anything.
Not all life’s lessons are pleasant to learn, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s still better to live through them when you’ve still got time to learn from them. Not getting that horse as a kid has, in the long run, made me a lot happier than I would have been if my parents had spent way beyond their means to see my dream come true. For one thing, our already-tight family budget would have snapped and I’m sure my parents would have snapped too. I wouldn’t have learned how to save because I wouldn’t have had to pull $8 from my piggy bank — two weeks allowance — for each horseback riding lesson. Later, when I was big enough, I’d learn a little bit more about work by helping out at the horse farm in exchange for free lessons. And in the end, after years of working on the farm and riding, I realised that horses live longer than my dream was going to and that I’d been having the same experience, or maybe even a better one, than my horse-owning friends who were now stuck with a very expensive pet they couldn’t take to college with them.
Two summer camp experiences stick out in my mind. The first was when I was about 10 years old, at a day camp for Girl Scouts. I remember explaining the agreement my parents and I had about my horseback riding lessons to an inquisitive camp counselor. Actually, I think it was the camp director. She was amazed that I was willing to forfeit all my allowance money (and all the candy, toys and whatever else kids spend their money on) for one half hour of horseback riding twice a month. I was amazed that she was so amazed, amazed enough that I still remember the conversation. I thought that was just the way things were; everyone had to prioritize their desires/needs and make sacrifices You couldn’t have everything.
In retrospect, I still think that’s the way things are — we do have to prioritize and make sacrifices - but I’m a lot less surprised that my camp director was so shocked that I, at the age of 10, seemed to know this. Ten years later, I would be the camp employee shocked by what kids do and don’t know about money. I spent a few summers working at an academic summer program, a cross between a summer school and a summer camp. I was the “Supply Office” manager, responsible for the program’s entire inventory and purchasing of classroom supplies. I know that doesn’t sound like much, but the program was home to 700 kids for six straight weeks and the number of classes was somewhere around 300, each with its own budget, and many with titles like “Cooking with Chemistry” or “Fashion Design — Make Your Own Clothes” requiring a lot of supplies. If an instructor needed a box of paper clips or a lemon, they came to me so that I could check through their budget to see if they had enough money to make the purchase. If they did, I put their request on the shopping list for my staff to buy. There were a lot of boxes of paper clips and a lot of lemons… And rocket engines and pink lace and whiffle ball bats and clown noses and frozen turkeys.
And then there were the bogus requests. One of my favorites was a requisition for liquid nitrogen and no, that wasn’t a joke; someone was really expecting me to get it for their class. But more frequently the bogus requests came from instructors (all college students) who obviously never had an allowance as a child and weren’t paying for their tuition, meal plan, books or toothpaste. Once an architecture instructor asked me to get something like $75 worth of foam board for a one time activity when he only had a budget of $100 for the entire 6 weeks! I remember fighting with him, trying to convince him that even though using plain tag board wouldn’t work quite as well for the activity it was still better than having no money or supplies left for the rest of the summer. Not long after, my staff and I adopted the Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” as our official office theme song.
Too many of the kids attending the summer program were a kind of spoilt I could never have imagined. They would roll in on the first day with an entire set of authentic Louis Vuitton luggage and turn their noses up at the college dorm rooms they were expected to sleep in, leading me to wonder how they were going to get through the summer. The thing about kids is that they’re very good at adapting. The first few days were always tough, but most of them made it through just fine without their Starbucks, cell phones or favorite evening meal. Yet I pale to think how quickly these same kids adapted right back to their old lifestyles upon returning home.
So the moral of the story is this: allowance is good, not bad! Remember the lessons you learned from it and if you have kids of your own, do them the same favor your parents did you and be tough about allowance. As soon as your children are mature enough to understand the cause and effect relationships of money (probably sometime between the ages of 8 and 10), set a weekly amount, clear requirements for “earning” the allowance, and boundaries about what kinds of things your children are expected to buy for themselves. And then, stick to those boundaries.
This is the hard part. For example, if your son is saving up for something he will probably have to give up other things he wants; you need to be willing to watch him go without. Don’t “reward” him by giving him extra money or buying him the things he is giving up. To do so would be to completely undermine the lessons of allowance. He is supposed to realise that if he spends all his allowance on a pair of fancy sneakers, he won’t have any money left to go to the movies that weekend and show off those snazzy new shoes. Instead, reward his good budgeting behavior by giving him additional privileges and freedoms regarding his money (maybe let him buy those concert tickets, etc.) By doing so you also give him additional opportunities to learn how to be responsible with his money.
It won’t be easy, especially if your family’s finances allow room for occasional splurges, but when you’re tempted to stray from your own rules, just remember, you’re probably in this position because you learned about money as a kid. And if you don’t find yourself rolling in extra cash, then setting a budget for your kids (and for yourself regarding what you’ll spend on luxury items for them) can help you balance your own household budget and adopt frugality as an entire family commitment.
I wasn’t a genius at age 10 (some things never change) just because I knew that I needed to prioritize my wants and needs; I was just lucky — lucky that my parents had stood firm and taught me the lessons of allowance.
WINSTON