Missions

I found a quote by Elder M. Russell Ballard about saving for missions. He says, "Serving a mission is a great opportunity to show our love for Heavenly Father. I think it is very important that young boys and girls save money for their missions. Young people who help pay for their own missions are better missionaries. I tell young people wherever I go that whenever they earn money, they ought to pay 10 percent for tithing, save 40 percent for their missionary fund, and keep 50 percent for their use." Missionaries need $400/mo. for 2 years. That's about $10,000.00 (including a little for get ready costs). It's up to you how much, if any, you want your kids to save. We set a goal for the boys to earn half--$5,000. The older they get the higher their earning potential, but even my younger boys have started. One other thing we have done that has worked well was offer to match whatever they put in to savings. If they put in $20, I put in $20. The rule is that if I match it, it stays in savings until it's used for a mission or college. They can't pull it out for an IPOD or car or whatever. But, it helps keep them motivated to work and save and it's worked well so far. Just a couple of suggestions that I wish I'd thought about earlier than I did because the younger you start, the easier (and MORE) it is!