Happy April. I for one was glad that April Fool’s Day didn’t fall on a day of the week that we post on.
Teaching Budgeting
Reflecting on this business we run tonight, I keep thinking about the skills we teach to the kids as they watch us and participate. This week, it’s keeping a budget, because sales don’t obey your predictions.
The last three days of March went by without any orders. I have gotten used to sending several packages every morning, so this was a bit of a shock to the system. It was also welcome, since that included a day off for Good Friday. But when cash flow stops–even for a short time–worry can set in. (Good thing I still teach!) And as I told Little Man, that’s why we don’t spend a bunch of money to celebrate when we earn more than expected. And why we keep a little extra around for rainy days.
Feasting
Of course, April started with a bang. Over the course of Easter Sunday, the orders piled up while the boys hunted Easter Eggs.
We scrambled this morning to get everything sent off on schedule, but got it done even after enjoying the holiday. Today the slew of sales continued (even while I filed the property taxes and started working on the sales tax returns!) and it feels like we lack the time to get all the orders out. We work on these all together though – and that’s part of the joy of doing business as family. And even in a world where living within one’s means has fallen in popularity, we can demonstrate the advantages to little eyes.
