First, we must educate ourselves on money matters. You should be able to teach your kids on how to save money. This will prepare them to learn money management, as they grow older.

Here are some tips on how you can teach your children how to save money:

Teach your children the meaning of money. Once your children have learned how to count, that is the perfect time for you teach them the real meaning of money. You should be consistent and explain to them in simple ways and do this frequently so that they will be able to remember what you taught them.

Always explain to them the value of saving money. Help them to understand the importance of saving and how it will help them in their lives. Saving for the rainy day is not a popular saying anymore, but it really gets driven home through examples in your own life. It is important that you listen to their questions about money and be able to answer yourself.

When giving your children their allowances, give it to them in single dollar bills. Then you can encourage them to save a certain number of bills for the future. You can motivate them to do this by telling them that the money saved can buy them a new pair of shoes or the toy they want once they are able to save enough to purchase.

You can also teach them to save money by giving them piggy banks where they can put coins and wait until they get full. You can also open bank accounts for them and let them deposit money from their allowance. You should always show them how much they have earned to keep them motivated.

Teach them to work for their money, start at home. Pay them fifty cents to one dollar every time they clean their rooms, do the dishes or feed their pets. This concept of earning little money will make them think that money is something they have worked for and should be spent wisely.

Money and saving is not something that is learned by your children overnight. Be patient in teaching them and relate the value of money in all of their activities. Children will learn this easily if you are patient and consistent in guiding them and encouraging them.

Sometimes, we can get so caught up in being the worker for the business that we forget we also have to be the visionary and the planner – the role that gives the business guidance and ensures its longevity.

Consistent marketing and promotion not only help in branding your business, but it can also help with the following:

* Keeping current clients/customers informed of new products/services
* Bringing in a stream of new clients, which is vital for business growth
* Encourages and motivates you to keep up with trends in your industry
* Creates a vision for your business. This is especially helpful if you do not have a storefront or retail business where people are exposed to it daily.
* Adds professionalism and sets a standard for your business

Commitment to your marketing efforts is key. A minimum of 2 hours daily should be given to marketing. This can include: calling current customers and updating them on product specials or new services; creating brochures or flyers to mail out to potential customers; participating in community events or finding new avenues of advertising.

The following are 8 ways that you can market and promote your business:

1. Press Release. When you launch a new business, product or service or you are involved in a newsworthy event, write a press release and send it to publications that your clients/customers read.
2. Volunteer. Volunteer a limited amount of your products or services to a worthy cause. For example, if you own a graphic design company, you might design a conference brochure or guide for the American Cancer Society or a local women’s hospital. This not only gives you a great client reference, but it gets your work in front of potential clients.
3. Advisory Team. Create an Advisory Team of individuals in various professions. Include benefits: organize a bi-monthly or monthly luncheon, offer discounted services/products etc.)
4. Web Site. Web Site. A web site is a great way to promote your products and services. There are many companies that offer low-cost sites as little as $7.95 monthly or free sites (plug in “free web sites” on your search engine and review which has the best offer and quality).
5. Newsletter. Create a 8 ½ x 11 one-page newsletter and send out monthly via email or US mail. Include service/product updates, informative articles that can be put to good use.
6. Open House. Have a quarterly open house or social where you display your products or provide an enlightening seminar on your services. Offer refreshments, samples or discount coupons and allow your clients to mingle. Also allow your clients/customers to introduce themselves and share information if they would like to.
7. Advertise. Based on the type of business you have, advertising with your local community paper or cable channel can be cost-effective. Call and ask for an advertisement kit or rates. Information should include: publication distribution including areas, number of readers or viewers broken down into categories etc.
8. Join Projects. Establish working relationships with other businesses where your services or products compliment one-another. Develop ways you will work together. This can include: providing cross-referrals to one another, doing presentations together and sharing ad space etc.