American Language Also a Melting Pot
 

We have spoken foreign languages all our lives, often without realizing it. Check out these terms from other lands that are quite common to us:

• ad hoc (Latin): impromptu, spur of the moment

• aficionado (Spanish): a fan or enthusiast

• alma mater (Latin): literally, “nourishing mother,” applied by students to former schools

• angst (German): dread and anxiety

• carte blanche (French): unrestricted authority or freedom

• et cetera (Latin): “and the rest”

• mea culpa (Latin): literally, “I am to blame,” an expression of responsibility or guilt

• pro bono (Latin): without charge, free service

• quid pro quo (Latin): an equal exchange of one good or service for another

• verboten (German): forbidden, prohibited

• versus (Latin): against.

Teach Your Children About Money  

One of the reasons parents give children allowances is to help them learn how to manage money. However, for it to be a truly effective teaching tool, parents need to spell out what the allowance will cover, how it can be spent, the consequences of overspending and how much should be saved or given to charity. Here are some guidelines:

1. Encourage planning. When deciding how much the stipend should be, consider giving enough to encourage saving or charitable giving, but be careful not to give too much. If the kids can buy anything they want, the allowance fails to teach them how to prioritize and set goals.

2. Set up a payday. Try choosing a day early in the week to encourage kids to plan ahead for weekend expenses.

3. Set limitations and guidelines. If you don’t want them to buy things you don’t want them to have, require that they consult you before making purchases over a specific amount, like $15.

4. Expect mistakes. Children will probably overspend at first. Don’t get angry. Help the child correct his or her mistakes and learn from them.

5. Don’t link the allowance to chores. If allowance is “payment” for chores, children can too easily decide to skip their chores and accept not getting any allowance, which defeats the purpose.