Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

The "waste not, want not" mentality of years past clearly has been forsaken by the current generation. Author Jonni McCoy gives you some ideas for reviving it with your family, on today's Home School Heartbeat.

Mike Smith:

Jonni, previous generations in America had more of a "waste nothing" mentality than we have today. How can families today rise above this disposable age we live in?

Jonni McCoy:

Well, I think we need to look at it in many ways. One, if you have a container or an item, can it be used for something else? Think twice before you throw it away. There's a lot of ways that we can create leftovers without them really looking like leftovers. We can reuse them in another dish. I try and keep a soup or stew bowl in the freezer where I can reuse some leftovers into another meal.

Mike:

Jonni, saving is important for all families and you emphasize that in your book. But do you have any ideas on how families can get their children to help them save?

Jonni:

Getting the children to help is very important. I think it's a lifelong struggle, though. I try and get the children to pick a financial goal — something that is important to them. And we actually have a jar with a picture or the word of that goal on it. And they are to contribute to that in order to help them appreciate how much that item might cost. I have the children divide their money between tithing and some set aside for the large project and the rest is for them to just spend on what they want. But I think it's important that they start as young as possible to get that mentality into their thinking.