Sunday, September 7, 2008

The Money's in the Can!





Richard has always been a "saver". He likes to collect his money with a specific goal in mind. Over the years he has purchased numerous video games, scout equipment, and even his own Game Boy SP! The time I remember with the most fondness happened several years ago when he was about 6 years old. He wanted to buy the Poke'mon Red game for our Game Boy Color. He saved his birthday money and all of the spare change he could find for about a year and finally had saved enough! He could hardly be patient enough to wait for a Saturday when we could drive into Orem (yes, not so long ago American Fork did not even have a Wal Mart!) to Toys'R Us. He marched in carrying his Large Tootsie Roll penny bank and went straight to the video section. He asked the man behind the register if he could come with him to get the game out of the locked case. When it was retrieved we walked back to the register with Richard and the man looked at US and asked, "and how will you be paying for that today?" I pointed to my son and said, "HE will be paying cash, thank you!" Richard then opened the Tootsie Roll can and dumped out all of his money, $35.00. He told the man that he had been saving for a long time and was very excited to be buying the game. They man looked surprised and then said, "well let's all help you count it and we can get you going!" After the game was purchased he told Richard that he was proud of him. He said he sees so many spoiled and selfish kids in the store every week that it was refreshing to see a boy who did not expect his parents to pay for something he wanted so badly! He congratulated Richard and told him to keep right on saving...which he has! Today he went to Target and with birthday money and Lawn mowing earnings he bought his own Nintendo D.S. and a game to go with it!

The thing that makes me most pleased with my son is that he has worked REALLY hard for this one. Lawn mowing is hot, itchy, and long! He has taken over the duty from his Dad and we pay him for it. He wanted to speed up the process so last week he hired himself out to his Scoutmaster. Brother Davis' lawn is as large as ours because we are back to back on corner lots. Richard couldn't get it done on Labor Day as he had planned because of the rain and so he had to wait two more days and was that lawn ever thick and long! I really felt sorry for him as he went out after dinner to get it done. I heard that mower going and going and going. Pretty soon the sun was down and it was still going! Sister Davis told me later that they tried to get him to stop after it had gotten dark. They said he could come back the next day to finish but he told them he wanted to finish what he had started and he really didn't mind.

I am proud of my boy! He is so sweet and good and always wants to do the right thing. I am glad he came to our houseful of girls and has added "balance to the Force"! We love him!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

This was a wonderful post! I enjoyed it so much more than the deer legs story!! Just kidding, of course...well not really! Anyway, good job Richard! Saving your money is such a great habit, one that I wish I had learned at a young age. Keep up the good work!

Ellsworth Party of Four said...

We also love Richard. He is a GOOD boy and has been raised well! I'm proud of you Richard for working hard and saving your money. Thanks for that meaningful blog...one that made me smile and feel good to say that "Richard is my cousin!"

Brent

URFAVE 5+A Few said...

What a good sweet boy! I'm so proud of Richard for working hard and saving his money. He has good parents who have taught him well. Thats a very important lesson to learn as early as possible in life! Thanks for the wonderful post. We love you Richard!!!

Edwin & Tamara said...

Richard you are one awsome young man. And a great example to others. You have wonderful parents who have taught you well. And you have learned the value of money. Isn't it the most awsome feeling when you have earned what you have always wanted? I am so proud of you.

Laurel said...

I am really impressed with Richard & the hard work he puts in. What a great boy you have raised Marianne. I told Darrell about the little boy in your class with the deer legs, he really got a kick out of that one!

Gena said...

I know how hard Richard has worked for this and I'm so proud of him! And extra kudos for getting the cool red version;Emily and Steve weren't having the cute pink one when we got theirs :( Tell him how much I love him and that we'll have to find a time to get together soon so he can mess around with our games (I also want some rematches in Wii bowling... I'm a "pro" now)

Helen Ellsworth said...

And I get to say, "Richard is my Grandson." I have been in on his saving for things he wants. It has been going on for awhile, and I was always amazed that a boy so young could be so dedicated at saving his money. Most would have it spent in the blink of an eye. While I was there in August he was in the process of saving for this latest want. I am glad to hear he finally made it. I know how much more it will be appreciated because he sacrificed for it. God bless such a special little boy.

Love Mom