As the season of giving approaches and we try to move from “more stuff” to “savings account” gifts for our kids, I went searching for a cool bank we could make without breaking the bank. And I found it in our beijingkids archives! Enjoy this Maker’s Corner from 2013 that can start your kids on the road to understanding how to save their kuai.

One of the tools for teaching children to save money is to give them a piggy bank to stash their pennies. Today’s kids might wonder what a piggy bank is, or why it’s called what it’s called. After all, how many pink pig-shaped saving banks are in stores these days?

Rather than expect kids to want to display and treasure a fat pink piggy bank bought from the store, Keystone Academy’s Visual Arts teacher has combined recycling and her son’s interests to create a spaceship savings bank!

Ten-year-old Gabriel demonstrates the craft for us with few materials for a simple decoration, but there is room to either simplify or complicate this craft. Use a thicker colored paper instead of tissue paper and draw the windows or use glitter pens and stickers to make a space shuttle so colorful saving money can’t possibly be overlooked!

Estimated time: 60 minutes’
Suitable for: 7+

Materials:
1. Empty plastic water bottle
2. Colored paper
3. Tissue paper
4. Scissors
5. Permanent marker
6. White glue
7. Glue stick
8. Craft glue
9. Plate
10. Brushes
11. Circular objects in different sizes

Prepare the body of the shuttle.
1. Cut a hole in the plastic bottle.
2. Paint white glue on the water bottle with a brush.
3. Cover the plastic bottle with tissue paper.
4. Brush over the paper. Leave it to dry.
Prepare the shuttle trappings.
5. Trace a big circle on colored paper, cut the circle out, and fold it in half to then make a cone.
6. Trace and cut three bigger and three smaller circles with different colored paper.
7. Create fins out of colored paper by first folding the paper two times. Then, draw the shape of the fin and cut two out at once.
8. Fold the straight edge of fins to create a place to put glue.

Prepare the shuttle for launch.
9. Glue the cone on the cap with craft glue.
10. Glue three fins on the shuttle.

11. Glue two circles together to create windows. Attach the windows to the body of the shuttle with glue.
12. Decorate the rocket with permanent makers by drawing ladders, nails, symbols, or signs.

This article originally appeared in the September 2016 Issue of beijingkids magazine. Click here for your free online copy. 

KEEP READING: Gratitude Journal 2020: “We Won’t Take for Granted Our Health”

Photos: Dave’s Studio

Modern, working musicians can never focus on money. Sustainability is key in the arts, and longevity in the field usually qualifies as “making it.” If we continue making music as our main vocation over many years, eventually this industry rewards us.

Nevertheless, after moving to Beijing in 2008, I learned that diversity is the key to survival as an expat in China. As a native English speaker who also speaks Mandarin, it wasn’t long before I discovered that many project-based companies were seeking my skill set. And many were connected to music. So, music and money were made together. Let the choir sing!

But the purpose of making money shifted when I became a parent in 2012 and 2013. No longer was it just to sustain as an individual artist; money became essential to ensuring their futures. And before I could strum that changed chord to my perspective, my daughter went from infancy to kindergarten and school fees loomed. Suddenly, there was a third reason to make money: to meet the demands of an international school education—our choice, yes, but also our burden. With free public schooling and an extremely high standard of education in Canada, you can imagine how hard it was to accept such an expense in my artist’s life.

But, flip global perspectives a moment and let me take you back to Canada with me this summer. In July, I had a week of teaching work at a songwriting course in Toronto. It was a great opportunity, but one for which I needed daytime childcare. Since I came back to my home country alone with two kids (husband unavailable, extended Canadian family not living in Toronto directly), I had to find someone in Toronto who could help me. Luckily, my dear friend’s partner is a childcare worker. She is fully certified, gentle-natured, and my kids already knew and loved her so she was naturally my first choice. Embarrassingly, I booked the kids into the week with her before I even inquired into her fees. We have a full-time ayi in Beijing for our domestic and childcare needs, and so I am familiar with paying for support. Surely it wouldn’t be that much more expensive!

The volume of Western childcare fees blasted me like cheap China speakers. Four and a half days of childcare costs for both kids cost me the same as one month of Beijing ayi fees, not to mention two-thirds of my income as a teacher for the week. It was, as you can imagine, very sobering. But necessary, for the sake of music making. Unquestionably. The songs must get written, no matter what the costs.

And so after the week had come and gone, I took pause. I turned down all the music and listened to the silence of reason that long-term planning brings.

Childcare is very expensive in Canada, but it’s affordable in China. Schooling is very expensive in China, but it’s free in Canada. It’s a no-brainer. For now, with one kid needing daytime childcare, we stay in Beijing. We can afford one set of international school fees and a full-time ayi. But two years from now when both kids will be school age, there is no other choice—financially—but to come back to Canada.

So this is the beginning of a long goodbye. And already, I know, I will miss my ayi the way a song misses a singer. She will have gone the long haul with us and, as I said, longevity is key to a successful music career. Thanks to her, we will have “made it.”

This article originally appeared on page 40 of the September 2016 Issue of beijingkids magazine. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.

Photo: sites.ewu.edu

One of the tools for teaching children to save money is to give them a piggy bank to stash their pennies. Today’s kids might wonder what a piggy bank is, or why it’s called what it’s called. After all, how many pink pig-shaped saving banks are in stores these days? We’ve seen the one with attitude from Disney’s Toy Story.

Rather than expect kids to want to display and treasure a fat pink piggy bank bought from the store, Keystone Academy’s Visual Arts teacher has combined recycling and her son, Gabriel’s, interests to create a spaceship savings bank!

Ten-year-old Gabriel demonstrates the craft for us with few materials for a simple decoration, but there is room to either simplify or complicate this craft. Use a thicker colored paper instead of tissue paper and draw the windows or use glitter pens and stickers to make a space shuttle so colorful saving money can’t possibly be overlooked!

Estimated time: 60 minutes’
Suitable for: 7+

Materials:
1. Empty plastic water bottle
2. Colored paper
3. Tissue paper
4. Scissors
5. Permanent marker
6. White glue
7. Glue stick
8. Craft glue
9. Plate
10. Brushes
11. Circular objects in different sizes

Prepare the body of the shuttle.
1.    Cut a hole on the plastic bottle.
2.    Paint white glue on the water bottle with a brush.
3.    Cover the plastic bottle with tissue paper.
4.    Brush over the paper. Leave it to dry.
Prepare the shuttle trappings.
5.    Trace a big circle on colored paper, cut the circle out, and fold it in half to then make a cone.
6.    Trace and cut three bigger and three smaller circles with different colored paper.
7.    Create fins out of colored paper by first folding the paper two times. Then, draw the shape of the fin and cut two out at once.
8.    Fold the straight edge of fins to create a place to put glue.

Prepare the shuttle for launch.
9.    Glue the cone on the cap with craft glue.
10.    Glue three fins on the shuttle.

11.    Glue two circles together to create windows. Attach the windows to the body of the shuttle with glue.
12.    Decorate the rocket with permanent makers by drawing ladders, nails, symbols, or signs.

This article originally appeared on page 25-26 of the September 2016 Issue of beijingkids magazine. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.

Photos by Dave’s Studio

Fragrant Mountain 香山 (Xiang Shan)
Difficulty: 1
Also called Jing Yi Yuan 静宜园, which means a quiet and delightful garden. Located about 25 kilometers outside of the city, its highest peak stands at about 557 meters tall. Xiang Shan is most renowned for its flaming red leaves in autumn. The slopes of Xiang Shan are covered with smoke trees, and when the air is brisk on a low pollution day, puffs of brilliant red hit against an azure fall sky. The cable car ride (RMB 80 for a one-way ticket) affords a stunning overhead view of the leaves. You may also visit Bi Yun Temple for RMB 10 and a combined entrance ticket for both Xiang Shan Park and Bi Yun Temple costs RMB 15. Mid-October to early-November is the best time to visit if you’re going for the leaves.

RMB 10 except from November 16 to March 31, RMB 5. 6am-6.30pm, except in July and August, closes at 7pm, and November to March, closes at 6pm. 40 Mai Mai Street, Haidian District. (6259 9886) 海淀区买卖街40号

Scenic Mountain 景山 (Jing Shan)
Difficulty: 1
Occupying a central location in the city of Beijing, Jing Shan served as a garden for the imperial family in both the Ming and Qing Dynasties (960-1911). The peak within the park called Zhong Peak is the highest point in what is considered the old town area of Beijing. Upon that peak sits a pavilion called Wan Chun Ting 万春亭, meaning a pavilion of ten thousand spring times. The city has marked the literal center of the city of Beijing within this park. Another place of note is the tree where the Chongzhen Emperor, who was the last emperor of the Ming Dynasty, allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself with his belt when Beijing was invaded. The original tree was cut down during the “cultural revolution” of the last century, and the tree that is there now was planted as a replacement.

RMB 2, except during flower exhibitions or other special events, RMB 10. 6.30am-9pm, ticket sales stop at 8.30pm, except from November to March, 6.30am-8pm, ticket sales stop at 7.30pm. 44 Jing Shan Xi Jie (Jing Mountain West Street), Xicheng District. (6403 8098) 西城区景山西街44号

Red Conch Temple 红螺寺 (Hong Luo Si)
Difficulty: 2
The largest Buddhist forest park in northeastern China, buddhists oft visit and pay their respects, even since ancient times. Large amounts of greenery and ancient trees with large canopies reaching outwards and providing refuge from the sunlight make this is a great summer destination for a family outing.  There are many flowers and red leaves in the autumn for visitors to appreciate. The imperial bamboo forest in front of the entrance to the mountain has been there for over 600 years. In front of one of the main buildings called Da Xiong Bao Dian, there are two ancient gingko trees said to be a couple, with one of them that flowers but yields no fruit, while the other only yields fruits but never flowers. There is a mountain coaster ride available for RMB 50 one way and RMB 80 round trip.

RMB 54 except for with student ID, military service ID, or for senior citizens, RMB 27. 8am-4.30pm, except from October to March, 8.30am-4pm. Hongluo East Road, Huairou District. (6068 1175) 怀柔区红螺东路

Upper Mountain 上方山 (Shang Fang Shan)
Difficulty: 2
As a national forest park located 70 kilometers outside the city featuring dense forests, caves, and a great diversity in the species of plants, Shang Fang Mountain has plenty to offer the exploration-inclined mind. Among these plants are over 100 species of plants that has medicinal properties. There are also ancient trees that are aged over a thousand years old. On top of the mountain is a temple that may be reached only by climbing 262 stone steps. Within the mountain are nine caves, that most well known of which is called Yunshui cave, meaning “the cave of clouds and water.” You may also see a spring inside the mountain, amongst other noteworthy sights.

RMB 40, RMB 32/person (groups of 30 and above) RMB 20 (students with ID and ages 60-65), Free (above 65, handicapped visitors, and children below 1.2m tall). 8.30am-4pm Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm Sat-Sun, Shuiyun Cave closes at 3.30pm. Shengshuiyu Village, Hancunhe Town, Fangshan District. (6131 5518, 6131 5309)房山区韩村河镇圣水峪村上方山国家森林公园

Mountain of Mystical Peaks 妙峰山 (Miao Feng Shan)
Difficulty: 3
Located about 60 kilometers outside CBD Beijing, it’s well known for a temple that has been a popular destination for burning incense and sending good wishes and prayers for many generations. Hikes here are rewarded with views of pine trees and large rocks with fascinating shapes. In spring there are peach blossoms and in the autumn the leaves turn red and also makes for a lovely, scenic trek. The top of the mountain also affords a breathtaking view of the city of Beijing. If you want to get away from town for a weekend and get some exercise with your family amidst unusual trees and strange stones, and visit one of the most famous temples of Beijing, this is the place for you.

RMB 40, RMB 20 (students and visitors aged 60-69 with ID), Free (kids under 1.2m tall and visitors aged above 70 with ID). Mon-Sun 8am-5pm. Zhenjianggou Town, Miaofeng Mountain, Mentougou District. (6188 2936) 门头沟区妙峰山镇涧沟村

This article originally appeared on page 23-24 of the September 2016 Issue of beijingkids magazine. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.

Photos: Wikimedia commons and public domain pictures

For so many issues in my life, I feel like I could write a book “How NOT to do Such and Such” using my bad decisions as an example. Unfortunately, when it comes to finances, this has also been the case. My husband and I were attending an expensive, private Christian university when the 2008 US housing bubble busted. Then, my husband graduated in the winter of 2009 with an almost worthless liberal arts degree, and we had both foolishly signed on the dotted line of one too many college loans. [Might I add that this is where college counseling was at its finest, “Oh honey, you’ll get a great job after you graduate, and that loan will pay itself off! Don’t worry.”]

For the first year or so of life in Beijing we chose to live simply using our bikes, buying little furniture, and using random toys

Fast forward to 2013, with two littles in our brood and the loom of a layoff, we were desperate to find a secure financial landing pad. A sister of a coworker loved working in Beijing, and she had saved a significant amount of money while living here. We were intrigued, so we did what we could to make it happen to start over in these foreign lands. The major momentum of paying off our whopping USD 80,000 school debt didn’t really start until the beginning of last year, when we had settled in and I also began working full time. For this year, our goal is to have every penny paid by my birthday in December. Thus far, we’re on track to make that happen, with less than half of our debt remaining.

For the first year or so of life in Beijing we chose to live simply using our bikes, buying little furniture, and using random toys

Other than having a dual income, which is the primary reason we’re able to pay off our debt, changing our lifestyle to think about what we’re able to live without has helped us to never miss a loan payment, even during times of extreme financial stress. We’ve also enjoyed being able to live a bit more creatively here, as we really don’t need a car in this bus-and-subway-connected city with the sometimes-large bike lanes. Since we’re foreigners and our friend circle is mostly local, we can also choose what cultural expectations we’re going to live up to. A confession is that I’m no Martha Stewart, though I hail from the Southern land of perfect, tidy homes, and I’m happy to be free from that cultural yoke.

We know many expats have come here to save money or to live well, and that challenge seems monumental when children are going to school, so we researched scholarship options available in the city (p27).  This is the perfect month to pick cheaper outside options for playing as the weather begins to cool (p22). We asked parents about pocket change, which we hope prompts you to begin the money talk with your kids now before they’re making money mistakes they’ll regret later (p38). We’ve also highlighted a new business specifically run by parents (p11) possibly to encourage those entrepreneurial ideas we all get from time to time.
Whether you only have a trickle of renminbi or you’re swimming in those red bills, we hope this edition encourages you to stick to or even exceed your financial goals.

This article originally appeared on page 2 of the September 2016 Issue of beijingkids magazine. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.

Photos: Vanessa Jencks