Restoring Kids / Restoring Cars
Your ordinary acts of love and hope point to the extraordinary promise that every human life is of inestimable value. – Desmond Tutu
WHEN you get in a fender-bender at age 18 in the car you worked for three years to buy only months after you got it…
WHEN you’re thankful no one was hurt and the damage doesn’t seem that bad…
WHEN your House Parent comes the minute after you call to be with you as you walk through this scary experience…
WHEN the body shop gives you an estimate that is way beyond what you can afford…
WHEN that same House Parent researches the parts, orders them and fixes that front end so it looks brand new again…
WHEN he does it because “that’s what a dad does”… THAT RIGHT THERE – that is everything.
There is no act of love that is not an act of work or courage. No exceptions. – M. Scott Peck
YOU MIGHT BE CURIOUS HOW OUR KIDS GET THEIR CARS
First of all, all older teens must get a job. Right away, they save 75% of their earnings and may spend 25% (on such things as a cell phone and service, going out with friends, etc.) At first, they’re disappointed not to have access to so much of their money, but as they watch their savings grow, they get excited. Once a teen has saved enough to buy a car outright, they begin saving 50% and spending 50%. This continues until they have saved a $1500 emergency fund, then the ratio shifts to 25%/75%.
Through this, our kids learn how to save and how to delay gratification. They learn they don’t have to do or have every little thing, and they become proficient at prioritizing their spending.
