OOSARAA RACHA WHAM TARA GATTO TENS BEEN CE ANA LOAD a Learning COLLEEN WALKER gave me ray holiday season gift this yea, and now we are both passing this gift along to you. ‘ “About 17 years ago you wrote '* about teaching young children how to deal with money,” Walker recently | “told me. “I had no idea at the time what a profound effect that column would have.” Walker felt her two- year-old son's needs (in 1977) meant having money to buy jelly beans ‘from the dime dispenser at the’ supermarket, so she paid him 25 “cents a’ week for putting his toys back in the toybox each day, “When _ we went shopping, if he asked, ‘Can a have,.2', Id say, ‘Sure, son, if “you've got the money.’” She admit- ted that when her younger son was " just four, giving that standard reply . tested her to the limit: “One day he ‘was ‘admiring some robot toy. With * great excitement, he showed it to me and told me what it could do,” she id. “Then he asked, “Mommy, can JI I have it?" Walker zeplied: “I came ‘out with the familiar recording, ‘Sure; if you've got the money.’ " As if forearmed, he very quietly said, “You stupid bitch!" “In stark disbelief, I made the | * fatal mistake of asking, ‘What did “ ~ you say?’ Well, he promptly stood * Up, cupped | his mouth in his hands’ -and yelled, “I said, YOU STUPID ., BITCH!’ ".With a dozen people . . . Watching to see what she'd do, -.., Walker exercised great restraint. She. didn’t say a word as she almost lift-: ed her son by the collar of his coat - and marched him back to the car. At home, he bolted for his room ard “This event ‘Jed us to a a discussion : which took him i into the next ‘hase | ace fo cence fee] Michael DOLLARS AND SENSE of what I have come to call the ~ Grenby program,’ Walker said. “I pointed out he could buy anything he wanted if he saved for it. “Two weeks later, he was back to negotiate a bigger allowance for doing more chores. Eventually, we had a family ineeting every Sept- “ember just before school started to renegotiate amounts and chores.” . By the time the Walker boys were four and seven, they had held their first yard sale, selling toys they'd grown out of. In the process they learned to take very good care of their things, realizing this would increase resale value. When their pet hamsters had a litter, they’d sel! the - offspring back to the pet store. ‘Walker had opened a bank account for each boy at birth; she: ‘ had signing authority. By the time they were six and nine, they under- ‘stood they could earn more interest "by investing in term deposits. One family holiday, the older 1oney sense son, now 12, spent $17 on a battery- powered water rifle, After a couple of days, the rifle hegan to leak and no longer would shoot straight, When he complained, Walker replied: “Well, you should be more discerning about what you spend your money on." The boy answered: “What do you mean, my money? . You gave me the money.” : Walker: “Oh yes, son, I did. But’ it was your money, I withdrew it from your bank account as | always do.” He was livid: “If P'd known it was my money, I would never have bought this picce of junk.” Several weeks later, when Walker deposited the family allowance in the boy's . account and asked for a current bal- ' ance, the bank politely reftised her request: “He had deleted me as sign- ing authority on the account,” said Walker incredulously. Today, the boys have gone onto . university “and for the most part, have paid their own ways —- although when they run short, they'll still negotiate with me to do such things as an oil change on the car or painting the house,” Walker said.. “This whole thing may seem a lot of effort, but it really was quite easy. Organization and commitment were the key, It has been a very rewarding” experience for all of us. [hope . you'll repeat the article for the bene- fit of others,” Add-ed Ron, 22: “I think Mum was right on the money, so to speak, and made me value what I earn.” © Thank you, Colleen Walker. Your story gets the message across better than I ever could. Mike Grenby is a North Shore- based columnist and independent financial adviser. Write to Mike c/o 2444 Haywood Ave., West Vancouver v7V IY]. Robberies at : “Hydro Cash Counters The increasing incidence and violent nature of armed robberies of our payment comes! is of great concem. These obviously put our employees and customers all Lower Mainland offices will be closed to receipt of cash payments - from | customers until further notice. Payments may be made at banks, credit unions or Honey marts, Drop boxes f for non-cash payments will also remain available. HELPING THE WORLD WRITE NOW CODE Self-sufficiency through titeracy in the developing world : For information, call 1-600-661-2633 DISPLAY ADVERTISING DEADLINES ISSUE DATE _ Friday Dec. 23 Sunday Dec. 25 - Wednesday Dec. 28 Friday Dec, 30. Sunday Jan. 1 Wednesday dan4 BOOKING/COPY DEADLINE | Monday Dec. 19- 4:00pm - ‘Tuesday Dec. 20 - 4:00pm Thursday Dec. 22 - 4:00pm . ‘Tuesday Dec. 27 - 4:009m Wednesday Dec. 28 - 4:00pm Friday Dae. 30 -2:00pm_ _ The North Shore News wili be closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.