Doing the dishes was his idea.

Mom and Dads ask me frequently what happens if they stop using Moola Monsters for a period of time. They are afraid that if they don't use the system perfectly everyday it will not produce the desired effects. Well let's be honest, none of us are ever perfectly consistent with anything, and we will not be perfectly consistent with Moola Monsters either.

Over the past month my family and I have been relocating to Dallas from Scottsdale. During the relocation our Moola Monsters effort was non-existent. The cards were packed away. We were in transit. Even after we moved into our new home and unpacked the cards, we have been so busy it has been hard to get back into a routine.

Today we decided to reinstate the Moola Monsters' system. My oldest boy asked me if he could watch a movie. I told him it would be 5 Moola Monsters per hour. He shuffled his feet and got his cards and paid me the 5. Then he turned and looked at me and said, "I wish Moola Monsters was out of business." LOL... Moola Monsters was back in his life and he wasn't sure that was such a good idea. One hour later, he was with his mom in the kitchen helping her with the dishes. Doing the dishes was his idea. He wanted to earn Moola Cards. He said to me, I remembered rule #4, "You have to work hard and smart to earn more money."

None of us are perfect, but be as consistent as you can. Give it your best try. Your kids will remember what they have learned. If you have to take a break from the system it will not be the end of the world. Your kids will remember what they have learned.

All the Best!

Grant Magers
CEO
Moola Monsters, LLC
www.moolamonsters.com

Change...?

Just yesterday I was asked how can we (the people) stop the madness in Washington and really create change. I have to admit, that is one of the toughest questions I have had to wrestle with in my life. Clearly, we all have a position on the various controversial topics these days, as we should.

Regardless of your stance on change and what really needs to happen, one truth is clear. There are little ones all around us that need our support. Children today are being raised in a culture of impulse purchasing and reality TV. I will argue that this not a healthy direction to raise the next generation if we want to see long-term change for the better.

If we want real long-term change we need to educate our children on more than reading, writing, and arithmetic. We need to educate them on principles such as delayed gratification and consequences for choices. We need to teach them the fourth rule of money: "I have to work hard and smart to earn more money." We need to teach them how cash flow works in the real world. In doing these things we can change the long-term future for the better.

All the Best,

Grant Magers
CEO
Moola Monsters, llc
grant.magers@moolamonsters.com
www.moolamonsters.com

God and Money

Recently, I have been having a lot of questions surrounding the topic of God and money. Specifically, is money a man made system, or a God created system. This is not an easy question. In my attempt to address it, I hope that I will, at the very least, persuade you to consider the question.

Did you know that there are 1600 Bible versus pertaining to money and approximately 500 of them include the words money, riches, or wealth. Let's face facts God takes the topic of money very seriously. I think we can all agree to that point. Ultimately the question will come down to do you believe God is in complete and total control, or do we have control. If He has complete and total control then it is reasonable to say he created the concept of money, the function of economies, and the resources they represent. If you believe we have control then it is a reasonable position to believe we created money and economies to manage the resources.

I am not a judge or jury on this topic. It is an important question to ask ourselves. It is an important question for us to wrestle with in our minds. Hopefully, in doing so we will come to know God more completely. If the topic of money is important enough for Him to include it in the Bible 1600 times, then the topic deserves our attention.

Sincerely,

Grant Magers
CEO
Moola Monsters, LLC
grant.magers@moolamonsters.com
www.moolamonsters.com

Work Ethic

Work Ethic.... As a business management consultant, it is one of the most common issues that I hear from business owners when it comes to their employees. They generally say that "he (or she) lacks a good work ethic." That comment is generally followed with "he(or she) has a sense of entitlement." Have you ever been around a co-worker or employee who lacks good work ethic. It can be very frustrating and can sometimes drag you down as well.

One thing is for sure, if we want to turn the economic state of our country around we are going to have to put in some hard work. We are going to have to be living examples of Rule #4 for kids: "I have to work hard and smart to earn more money." We need to explain to our kids what it means to work hard and smart. We need to teach them how to work hard and smart. We also need to show them, by our own actions, what it is to work hard and smart.

Our children are watching us. They are learning from us. We are their super heroes. Please, when you go to work or have to spend that extra hour helping them with their homework, lead by example and work hard and smart.

Sincerely,

Grant Magers
CEO
Moola Monsters, LLC
www.moolamonsters.com

New Years Resolution

Happy 2010. What is your resolution this year? I have talked to a few people who have told me their resolution is to get out of debt. Have you heard that this year? Is it one of your resolutions? My New Years Resolution is to work harder to help parents teach their children about sound economic behavior.

Why is it so hard to get ahead? Why do we always seem to spend more than we have? When we do spend more than we have, the end result is there is nothing left over to save. Their is nothing set aside for emergencies or for retirement. Rule#3 "If you spend too much money then you won't have any money." Simple enough principle right? Yet, so many of us violate this rule every day.

Rule 3# is written to explain a consequence to your children. When my kids want to do something that is going to cost them the rest of their Moola Monsters I always have them quote Rule #3 so they understand what they are about to do. My little guys now save like crazy. Matthew has 100 Moola cards and tries to continuously keep that many around. Michael has about 60. They learned to save based on the consequence of Rule#3.

Good economic behavior can only be taught to children by living the consequences of good and poor choices. Better to do it with Moola Monsters than green backs.


Sincerely,

Grant Magers
CEO
Moola Monsters, LLC
www.moolamonsters.com

Credit Cards...to use or not to use?

Let's face it, we all have them. Credit Cards are everywhere. They call to use at those moments of impulse. They remind us that we can have the larger items from time to time. They even will whisper in your ear..."we are the same thing as money"..."you can afford it" ..."just this one time."

Credit card companies have lulled us to sleep about what money actually is, and what it is not. Having money is not the same thing as having credit. Credit is access to money that belongs to someone else. Credit is ones ability to borrow and nothing else. So when we purchase on credit cards we are borrowing money. In most cases that ability has a price tag called an interest rate. How many of us today are paying the price for borrowing too much and allowing the interest rates to overtake our ability to pay off our debts?

Let me offer one simple rule that will keep your kids from falling into the same trap. Rule #2 for Kids: "If you do not have money then you can't spend money." If you want something then you need to have the available CASH to purchase the item. If you need something we should budget so we have CASH to purchase the necessity. Borrowing money should always be kept to a minimum and only when absolutely necessary. Teach your children that to be independent they cannot ever become slave to the lender. Teach them to use cash.

Sincerely,

Grant Magers
CEO
Moola Monsters, LLC
www.moolamonsters.com

Does All Money Really Belong to God?

A close friend of mine told me his daughter asked him to explain the first rule of money to her friends. While he understood the first rule and agreed with it, he found himself slightly perplexed as to how to articulate the point. This got me thinking that maybe I should take some time to explain each rule a little deeper.

Rule#1 All Money Belongs to God:

To understand this rule it is important to understand what money really is and what it is not. Money is simply a means by which we manage and exchange resources. In earlier history, if I had one resource and you had another we could exchange resources as needed so that both of our needs were met. Money allows us a simpler way to make that exchange. Money has no inherent value in and of itself beyond the resources to which it is applied.

In the very beginning, in Genesis (1:26-29), we were called to manage the resources on the Earth. God created the resources of the Earth and placed mankind over them. We often think that man created economic systems. The truth is God created the management of resources. He created economics. There are many more passages that teach this principle, but at the very core is Gen. 1.

Even if you have a faith that differs from mine this principle still applies. It is important for us to respect a higher authority than ourselves regarding the management of money. The moment money is "only" about ourselves, the charitable application is lost. If we only use money for our gain then we abuse the resources to which the money is applied. This goes into some very deep economic and political topics that are not appropriate for this post. However, without giving we only hurt ourselves in the long run.

In conclusion all things belong to God. Therefore, that includes money. Take care of what has been given to you.

Sincerely,

Grant Magers
CEO
Moola Monsters, LLC
www.moolamonsters.com

Fishing for Kids

Recently I was given the book "Fish" by Stephen Lundin, Harry Paul, and John Christensen. If you have not had a chance to read "Fish", I highly recommend picking a copy up today. The book itself is directed towards increasing morale and improving results in business, but the four principles the the book emphasizes is good to practice for all areas of our life, especially in our relationship with our children.

Principle 1: Choose Your Attitude

How often do we get home tired from work, and our attitudes may be a little less than optimal. It is so important for us to choose our attitude when we are with our kids. Our time with them is precious and limited. We need to have a positive attitude as much as we can around our children.

Principle 2: Play

Who knows better how to play than our kids. They can bring out the kid in us if we let them. Find time to play.

Principle 3: Make Their Day

Who doesn't love it when someone goes out of the way to make our day? Take them on a walk. Go out for ice cream. Read them a book. Making a child's day is as simple as spending quality time with them.

Principle 4: Be Present

This may be the most important and the most difficult principle to apply on a consistent basis. When we are with our children we need to focus on them. It is so easy to let our minds drift off into work or bills when we are spending time with our kids. It is so easy to jump on the cell phone when are kids are wanting our attention. Be present for them. Look them in the eye when they are speaking. Acknowledge their comments and questions. When you are with them, give them your full attention.

The "Fish Philosophy" is great for growing our relationships with our children. Remember to choose your attitude, play, make their day, and be present.

Wishing you the best,

Grant Magers
CEO
Moola Monsters, LLC
www.moolamonsters.com

Many Thanks!

Every morning her feet shuffle across the street. Sometimes the sun is beating down on her as the temperature reaches 120 degrees in the Arizona summer. Hunched over and tired she shuffles. Cars race by her, sometimes, with little regard for the effort it takes her to just make it across. Nobody stops to help her. Nobody offers her water in the scorching sun. Yet everyday, without fail she makes it across the street and back again.

Her hand and arm are getting tired as she carries her burden. She never complains. She always smiles at each and every person that crosses her path. In our community she is an unknown soul. She is the woman who crosses the street everyday...back and forth. Yet, she is the woman that is protecting all we hold dear. Everyday she helps our children safely cross the street to get to school and to get home. She is an inspiration and an example for all to follow. She gives. She gives everyday without fail. I am so thankful this year for her.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!!

Grant Magers
CEO
Moola Monsters, LLC
www.moolamonsters.com

Piggy Banks

Last week I was presenting to a group of parents at a local church. Before I went up to speak it struck me to ask them, "how many of you had a piggy bank growing up?" Every hand in the audience went straight up. I then asked them, "How many of you regularly were taught to put money in your piggy bank and save?" Every hand stayed in the air. Then asked them, "Now as adults, how many of you save money the way you know you should?" Every single hand went down.

Isn't it interesting that so many of us were taught to save money, but so few of us do it. I have a theory... It is because "to save" has no intended consequence if it is not done. Children and adults respond to consequence. "If you do not eat dinner then you will not get desert." "If you run the red light you will get a ticket resulting in a fine." We respond to the consequence to create a positive habit.

Why do we go to work? Because, if we do not then there will be potential disastrous consequences for our lives. Why do we lock our doors? Why do we go to school? Why do we have our kids do their homework? Why do we do anything that requires disciple, if it is not to better ourselves and protect ourselves from negative consequences. Consequences are a large part of the decision making in human nature. This is why the third rule of money for kids is written: "If you spend all your money you will not have any left."

When a child is operating in the Moola Monster System they learn right away what this means. When they do not have any money there is immediate consequences to what they are able to do. Teach your children how to understand the consequence of not saving very young. If they spend all they have, they will not have any money left.

All the Best,

Grant Magers
CEO
Moola Monsters, LLC
www.moolamonsters.com

Go-Giver

There is a great book called "The Go-Giver" by Bob Burg and John David Mann. The book was written for business professionals in order to give us a different way of looking at the world. Rather than looking at it from the perspective of "go get", they brilliantly suggest we "go give" in order to get. We must give in order to receive.

I found it interesting that these gentlemen saw a weakness in our business ethic and wrote a book to encourage a shift in thinking about the way we go about receiving in this world. So how does this lesson apply to raising our children? It seems obvious enough. Who doesn't want their children to be gracious to others? However, how many children grow up to be "geters" rather than "givers" in our culture.

We live in a society that holds competition and winning at the highest levels. Unfortunately sometimes at all costs. The truth is I want my kids to win as much as the next person, but like this book we need to reestablish what winning is all about. Competition is good. It is what drives our great country, and I personally believe that competition makes all of us better. So I am not advocating being a doormat. However, I am advocating scripture, the meek shall inherit the Earth (Matthew 5:5).

We need to teach our children to be givers. It is through giving that the highest forms of receiving is earned. They need to be taught to give of their time, their talents, and their treasures without misguided expectations of return. By doing these things they will find that a world of opportunity will open that is unlimited in its potential for good. Thank you authors of the Go-Giver. We appreciate your insight.

Sincerely,

Grant Magers,
CEO
Moola Monsters, LLC
www.moolamonsters.com

Preparing Your Children for a Better Financial Future

I love being a parent. I have two boys ages 7 and 5. Just listening to them laugh is enough to make my day complete. Their happiness is my goal in life. Helping them achieve that happiness is not an easy task. We want our children to be happy. We want to protect them from all the pain of the world.

We do so many things to protect them. We put them in the best child-safety seats money can buy. We sort through every piece of Halloween candy and examine each piece carefully to make sure they are good to eat. We teach them the value of nutrition and exercise so their bodies will be healthy and grow. We make sure they do their homework and are making good grades to school. As parents we take great care in making sure our kids will have happy lives. The truth is that we want them to be happy kids, but more importantly we want them to be happy adults. Our children will spend 75% or more of their life as an adult. Almost all things parents teach children are for the child’s future as an adult. Ironically one of the things, as parents, we fail to teach adequately to our children is how money works in our world.

When it comes to money we have a tendency to make two major mistakes. First, we hope the schools will teach them. After all the schools teach them to count and make change. I know plenty of adults who can count and make change, yet they cannot retire. They have too much debt. They have filed bankruptcy. Being able to count and make change does not create an understanding of how money works. The second mistake we make is we assume our kids will catch on using allowances and piggy banks. As a child I had an allowance, I saved change in a piggy bank, and yet in early adulthood I found myself broke. How about you? We were all told to save. We were all told to work for money, but the majority of our country has been financially brought to their knees. So as parents why are we repeating the same mistakes that our parents made.

Having general knowledge about eating healthy and exercising does not ensure a healthy lifestyle. Would you tell your kids to eat vegetables and then serve them candy? Would tell them the advantages of exercise and then allow them to sit in front of the television 24 hrs a day? No, as parents we get them involved in that lifestyle. We enroll them in sports activities. We give them nutritious meals. They live the lifestyle we teach them. So how do we transfer that same experience to financial behavior?

If you want to reach your children for a better financial future, look at how money works in your life. You earn it, you spend it, and if you do not have any you cannot do the things you need or want to do. Create that same economy for your children in the home. For instance, in my house if my children want to play a game console it cost them 15 Moola Monsters per hour. If they want junk food, it cost them 5 Moola Monsters. My kids live in a child friendly economy in our house so they understand cash flow, savings, investing, etc. I built an economy for my kids so they live by the same financial principles I live by. I want them to understand how the world works, so when they grow to be adults, they will have the foundation to make the right decisions financially.

To learn more visit our website at www.moolamonsters.com. Remember, no matter what interest your child has as they grow up money will be a part of their lives, so give them they best education you can regarding managing it responsibly.

Sincerely,

J. Grant Magers

CEO

Moola Monsters, LLC

www.moolamonsters.com

Happy Giving

Every Sunday morning I ask the kids to get their Moola Monsters' banks and bring them to me. We then proceed to count their cards. We decide how much they are going to take out of their investments or how much they are going to leave in. We take out 10% and move it to savings. We also take out 10% for our tithe to God. This morning Michael asked me the most insightful question. After he gave me three Moola Monsters to give to God he asked me if the cards go to heaven to be with God.

What if they did? What if your tithe went directly to God? Would it change your thoughts about tithing? What if he kept an accounting of your giving? What if God used those funds to improve the universe? How would God use the dollars you gave Him? These questions sped through my mind in a blast of just a few seconds as Michael looked up at me awaiting an answer. Truthfully, it was a bit terrifying to consider that my giving is that personal to God.

I looked at Michael and explained that for each card he and his brother give, I give one dollar to the church on their behalf. I then explained that God uses those dollars by working with the church to help others. So in a very real sense those dollars do go to be with God in heaven, and he uses them. Of course let us never forget Matthew 6:19-21,

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Happy Giving,

Grant Magers

CEO

Moola Monsters, LLC

www.moolamonsters.com

A Real Story: My True Role as a Mommy

My true role, as a mommy, is to work my way out of my job. Of course I will always be my precious little girl’s protector; however, we must give our children wings to fly on their own. My husband and I are so impressed with the Moola System. We have been implementing the system with our 3 ½ year old for about 3 months now. We are completely blown away by how quickly our daughter has caught on & how interested she is to EARN. She can recite all five rules of money—and did I mention she is not even FOUR years old?!?

I see a huge disconnect with our generation in regards to our relationship with money. There is a sense of entitlement, and if we all returned to “working hard and working smart” we would be a much more productive society. More importantly, I believe we would be in better favor with God. I am so thankful that the Moola Company has given us a way to introduce a healthy relationship in regards to money at such a young age. These rules, also, apply to us—the parents.

1. All money belongs to God.

2. If you don’t have money you can’t spend money.

3. If you spend too much money you won’t have money to spend.

4. I have to work hard and smart to earn more money.

5. God loves a cheerful giver.

Today our little girl earned enough Moolas to turn them in for a prize. It melted my heart that she pulled out her tithe FIRST…all on her own. Plus, she said she wanted to give ONE more to God (her offering). Again, I was completely in awe of her heart. Not to mention, the cashier at the toy store was in shock and impressed! She said it was refreshing to see this display as most children throw daily” fits in the store. This is God at work through this amazing company.

Our household dynamic has changed since introducing the system. Our daughter is eager to find ways to earn Moolas which in turn adds a sense of peace in our home. Plain and simple, this is a tool to teach and implement God’s plan and we cannot have too much of that in this unstable world. The Moola System is a true blessing. It is so simple to introduce and I love watching our daughter grow into an amazing & aware young person. This system will stick with her for her entire life—what an incredible foundation introduced in a way that is FUN & rewarding-for the whole family.

--Rayne Spaulding

Thanks to Moms and Dads

The Moola Monsters' team worked the Glendale, AZ Kidsfaire this past weekend. We had a great time and were able to visit with several parents about Moola Monsters. There was a lot of interest, and a lot who were not interested, as is the case at most trade shows. However, there was one family that helped expand my perspective about the economic situation today and the impact it is having on families.

A mom and dad came by the booth with their two boys. They were interested in the system, but were financially behind themselves and in the middle of a move. I gave them a pack cards so they could see how their kids would respond to the system. I thought it might reduce the stress of the move a little. Mom was so thankkful she began to cry right their at the booth. My heart melted for these folks as it became evident how stressful life had become for them.


I know I am being assumptive, but as I watched people come and go it appeared that stress was ruling the majority of their lives. It seemed that many of them were there to pick up free samples for their kids, so they could have something fun when they went home. We had parents taking 10-15 Moola Monsters' coloring pages at a time. I saw several families with carts full of free stuff.

I want to take this moment to thank all of the hard working moms and dads out there. You all carry the weight of the world on your shoulders and it is important for you to be recognized. Thank you for wanting happiness for your kids in a world that is such a stressful place. I have heard it said that there is nothing better than the laughter of children. Well, mom and dad, much of that laughter is created as a result of the things you do for them each and every day. Thank you very much for being a blessing to your children.

Sincerely,

Grant Magers
CEO
Moola Monsters, LLC

Two Futures

Consider this, in 25-30 years our children will be doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, nurses, builders, realtors, etc. and have families of their own. What will the world look like in 25 years? In the last 15-20 years we have seen a world where a fax was the pinnacle of technology to "Tweeting" on our smart phones. The speed of our economy has grown exponentially, because technology has created economic conveniences. We bank online. We create presentations on airplanes. We video conference and webcast. Can you even imagine how much faster the world will move in another 30 years? I can't. If you will allow me some latitude to generalize, I believe our children will have one of two futures.

Future #1: They will be like many of us where spending has consumed their lifestyle. They will work hard for their paycheck. They may even own their own businesses, but in the end they will spend every dime they have until they cannot keep up. They will not have enough set aside for retirement. Does this sound familiar?

Future #2: They will plan their futures. They will save more. They will pay cash for items rather than using credit cards. They will have patience, and view wealth as more than the status of possessions, but as the security for their future. Does future #2 sound familiar?

Both Future #1 and Future #2 should be familiar to you, because they are no different than the reality we live in today. In other words this is nothing new. The questions you need to ask yourself is: 1) what future do you want for your children? 2) What will you do right now and in the future to help them achieve that future? 3) What is your plan?

Grant Magers

CEO

Moola Monsters, LLC

www.moolamonsters.com

Entitlement

It has been a while since my last post. Things have been so incredibly busy that I have found it hard to make time to write. As usual much of my time has been spent on airplanes. I was in Detroit and Minneapolis most recently. I try to keep to myself on airplanes. I am either reading or sleeping usually. However, this last trip proved to be different. On two different occasions I set next to gentlemen who wanted to chat.

Un-prompted both started discussing youth and entitlement. The first guy expressed to me how his son expected dad to buy him things without appreciating how much they cost. "It is as if he thinks, he is entitled," he stated. The second guy went on and on about how teenagers have no work ethic. "They just show up and expect to get paid." Both looked at me and asked, "Is this my fault?"

Entitlement... It is a disease. It is spreading faster and is more real then swine flu. It poisons our children and our businesses. I cannot find one thing that I am entitled to receive. If I want to grow in wealth, health, happiness, I must be willing to sacrifice. I must be willing to work hard and smart.

Entitlement will not have my children. They are learning to sacrifice for their opportunities in life. They are learning to work hard and smart. They are learning to make good decisions and respect what God has given them.

Grant Magers

CEO

Moola Monsters, LLC

www.moolamonsters.com

Teaching Kids about Money

Too much of anything is a bad thing. Watch the most recent video blog about teaching our kids about money. Is it a good thing or a bad thing. Several parents have mentioned to me that they are concerned too much focus on money is a bad thing. Let's talk about. What is your opinion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq2z7jQUHOg

Your kid/money story?

Tell us about your children. What is their experience with money?

"You own your house right? Don't you own your air?" (age 8)

My Experience in Jail

Recently I had the pleasure of seeing the inside of a jail cell. No, I was not arrested. I had the privilege of experiencing a ride-along with a police officer. The very first thing I saw was a jail cell. No windows. No comforts. No clock. No space. It was a cold and lonely place. I knew without a doubt this was not a place I ever wanted to find myself.

What about financial jail cells? How many of us today are finding ourselves in financial jail cells. We feel trapped and alone as if their is no way out. Time moves so slowly. We count each day while interest rates steal our future.

As I stared at the cell it crossed my mind that I would like my boys to see this place. Maybe they should have to stay in the cell for a few minutes just to appreciate their freedom. What an eye opening experience that would be for them as they consider choices in their future. Maybe our children should experience financial jail cells at their level of understanding. This way they could learn from the start to appreciate and respect the financial choices of their lives.

Teach your children, so they never experience a jail cell.

Grant Magers

CEO

Moola Monsters, LLC

www.moolamonsters.com