Hi there, Mrs. 1500 today, asking about the best thing that happened to you this year. So keep that in the back of your mind while you read about ways that other readers reward their kids.
You will recall that I have found myself giving food rewards to my kids, and wanted to stop doing that. They don’t need the sweets, and that can start bad food relationships. But I did that because I don’t want to reward with “stuff” that we don’t need. We already have too many toys, clothes and shoes. I think we single-handedly keep Crayola in business.
Retire Before Dad does very small sweets as rewards, like a few chocolate chips. They tried cars for potty training, but it didn’t really stick.
Kirsten from Indebted Mom says she sometimes rewards with craft projects. This is a great idea and I have already implemented it. Thanks, Kirsten!
Reader Hannah suggested reading The Five Love Languages. I hadn’t heard of that before, so I did read the wikipedia entry. I think this has a lot of information in it. Thanks, Hannah!
Both Reader Stephanie and The Roamer from Traveling Wallet suggested the reward should be the job well done. I am trying to ease into this, because I do want them to know I am proud of them, but they are right, in the real world you don’t get rewards for doing your job.
It seems like I am not alone in the sweet treat reward, which makes me feel like I am not doing everything wrong. Sometimes as a parent, it seems like a win when they are alive at the end of the day…
So on to this week’s question. What is the best thing that happened to you in 2014? We (briefly) reached the double comma mark, but otherwise it has been a relatively unexciting year. Which is good. A friend’s family had every member going under the knife this year. (They are all fine, now.) Sometimes, boring is good.
So how about you? Let’s talk about your year. What amazing things happened to you this year?
Professional success, followed by a raise!
Congratulations, Scooze!
It always feels good to be recognized for hard work.
Our 2014 was actually very eventful… We started off by just completely changing our approach to saving and investing to pursue FIRE. Then, as if that wasn’t entertaining enough we decided to make it more interesting – new jobs, new house, new state, and last but not least, new baby! We made some great progress towards financial independence, but adding Mini Maroon #2 was definitely the best part of our year. (Though at this very moment I do question that a bit as she defiantly fights the sleep that she so desperately needs – but I guess that has to come with the good too!)
Mrs. Maroon recently posted…Christmas Spirit Continues
Congratulations on the second mini! That sleep fight is exhausting… Only 13 short years until she is a teen, wanting all the sleep she can get!
We paid off all of our debt except the mortgage and we both got raises and promotions at work this year!
Mrs. Bug @ The Wander Bugs recently posted…Why Retire Early?
WOW! That is awesome! You had a good year!
My husband graduated with his Ph.D., and got a job! I know it didn’t happen to ME, per se, but when you’ve been supporting someone in their education for five straight years, it’s a huge relief!
Allie recently posted…Cookbook Challenge: I Bake Some Stuff
What happens to him, happens to you as well. That is great! Congratulations on the job, Mr. Allie!
My wife and I took my parents, who are both in their late 70s, on a wonderful cruise across the Caribbean. Sometimes life can get so hectic that we forget to spend time with our loved ones. It was an awesome trip and I will always cherish the time I got to spend with both my wife and my parents that week.
MDP
My Dividend Pipeline recently posted…2015 Goals
That sounds like a lot of fun. Next time, invite me too.
I think the best things to happen to us was realizing that we want to move somewhere new. We would have never figured that out if we weren’t location independent though.
Michelle recently posted…10 Ways To Squeeze Side Hustles Into Your Busy Schedule
We have been married for almost 13 years. We have lived in 9 different places in those 13 years and we are finally where we want to be. It is SUCH a relief to know you are home. Congratulations!
We raised our wonderful boy and he’s now over a year old. It’s definitely the best thing that happened to me and the Mrs. in 2014.
Tawcan recently posted…Creating a legacy – dividend portfolio for kid(s)
That first year is so fun, with all the milestones. Congratulations.
Another year with my wonderful husband! 🙂
Savvy Financial Latina recently posted…Items to Consider When Moving Abroad
Yay for you two! Being married takes work, but if you work at it every day, it really doesn’t take much.
Great idea for a post! I loved reading everyone’s answers… awwww. The best thing that happened to us this year was that we established 2017 as our early retirement deadline and firmed up our rural homestead plans. Oh and starting Frugalwoods and (electronically) meeting you and Mr. 1500! Seriously, it’s been awesome getting to know all of you like-minded frugal folks!
Mrs. Frugalwoods recently posted…How We Live Frugally In The City
It has been truly great to hear from frugal-minded people. I wish we could all live near each other and get together on a frequent basis.
We bought a house! I started my own personal finance blog. We got a new dog and I had a successful sabbatical. Not a bad year.
Jason recently posted…My Disagreement with Dave Ramsey
YAY for the house purchase! Double YAY for the blog! Yippee for the new dog.
We had our first son. He’s happy and healthy!
A lot of other great things happened this year, but none in the same order of magnitude
-Bryan
Income Surfer recently posted…Weekly Review, a Sell and a Big Thank You!
I love babies!!! And healthy is the best gift of all! Congratulations!
Simple: I decided to retire by 40.
Steve Adcock recently posted…5 steps to better gas mileage, guaranteed
I wish you success in meeting your goal. It is a good one!
Ironically the best thing that’s happened to me is getting fired from my job. I was miserable and while it completely sucks I am so happy to be free and in a situation financially that while things will be tough I can free.
First time commenting (I think) long time follower.
Angela Wiebe recently posted…Wishing!!
I am way too blessed to just list one, so bare with me. This year I finally had the courage to change my mindset of becoming debt free. After 22 years in the military I was approved for retirement. I sold my home that was on the market for three years, and I reconnected with my daughter who I did three tours away from in the Middle East.
I am so happy and blessed. This year was awesome!
Petrish @ Debt Free Martini recently posted…What Do People Really Think About Your Blog?
The best thing that happened to me in 2014 was my husband finishing his PhD and getting a ‘promotion’ to being a postdoc, which enabled me to be funemployed for four months this fall.
The best thing that I accomplished this year was finish my PhD.
It’s going to be hard to top 2014 anytime soon!
Emily @ evolvingPF recently posted…Big Wins, Small Wins, and the Payoff-to-Energy Ratio
Great topic for a post…too often I find people’s conversation are along the lines “teh car needs a new xxxx , it’s goign to cost”, “the kids have a school trip , how does the school think we’ll afford that”, “oh my…look how much cat food has gon eup ” and these conversations occur everyday with the primary theme being a negative one.
This post however lets us focus on the victories, it swings teh perspectrive back aroudn and makes us go ..”hmm may things weren’t as bad as they seemed at the time”.
Anyways….
my biggest thing to comment on woudl be the discovery of perosnal finance blogs and teh posiutive influence and education I have received from them. Whiel I have’nt had too much of financial change I am armed with more knowledge to makew the changes and have already put some actions in place. So I may not see the progress for a while but I know under the surface bigger things are happenign due to my small steps.
Sorry a bit cryptic and waffly ….but financial knowledge is the best way to summaris eit.
2014 was a turning point in my business career, i have literary doubled and skyrocket my own business’s revenue but i was living a devastating emotional experience at the same time.
I have learned a valuable life lesson this year, and it’s funny, we only pay attention and only learn through the hardest and most painful ways.
Never trust someone more than they deserve, in fact never trust anyone at all.
Happy New Year everyone.
Best,
Mitch.
Mitch recently posted…How to use your writing skills for job promotion