Continuation of what I started this year.

Hello.

The masking tape orders received in January

are scheduled to be shipped in order of purchase starting February 3rd.

Since there were a lot of orders, it might take longer than usual,

so please look forward to it!

The photo above is a candy box I tried collaging using old match labels.

I'm thinking of using it to store old stamps and labels♪

The allowance system I started this year has not even passed a month yet,

and it has its ups and downs.

Here are the rules we decided on at home.

1. To help out voluntarily

2. To manage money by oneself (keep an allowance ledger)

3. To save money from the allowance (Mom's bank). Ideally half

4. To withdraw money from Mom's bank only once a month

5. No lending or borrowing money, or treating or being treated among siblings or friends

6. Consult parents when making purchases over 1000 yen

The amount is currently set at age × 100 yen.

Receiving allowance from parents and having money to spend freely means

that the family’s money decreases accordingly,

so voluntarily doing what one can for the family

was a condition I absolutely could not compromise on.

There may be days when it can’t be done due to various circumstances,

but I hope this allowance system will become a trigger for helping each other when someone in the family is in trouble to become normal.

At the beginning, my child voluntarily helped out,

deposited a lot in Mom’s bank, and thought about what to buy

changing their mind every day about what to buy,

but after a while, helping out became inconsistent.

Then, New Year’s money arrived by mail,

and my child started saying they wanted to spend it all, leading to another family meeting.

My son said

"It’s going to be the rules parents decide anyway. That’s enough!"

and got upset and laid down.

At times like this, I can’t handle my frustration equally with my son

and end up fighting on the same level, but my husband calmly said

"If you stop talking like that, it’s over. Let’s take a breath and talk again. Let’s properly decide where we can both compromise."

and spent a long time, enough to tire my son,

talking about various things regarding the New Year’s money.

I also reflected on how much I had avoided talking about money until now.

"New Year’s money = future education expenses"

I finally realized the reality that such a sweet calculation will not continue in the future.