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Making Sacrifices

Mama Spiff has a little heart to heart talk with her kids. She knows they each budget their money carefully, so she asks each of them to consider giving up something to add to the vacation fund. 

As members of a money-conscious family, the Spiff children have their own businesses and manage their own money. Biff has been saving for a new guitar, but Disney World sounds way cool, so he is willing to stick $100 in the pot. After making this decision, he talks to Tiff and Riff. Tiff has been saving up for inline skates and safety equipment, but following her big brother's example, she adds $75 to the vacation fund. Riff sighs and puts in $50 from the money he was saving to buy a new bike. Papa Spiff adds his $225 to their collection.

Working Toward the Goal

Biff Spiff does light mechanical work. He spends his time after school and on weekends fixing mowers and changing oil in cars. Biff charges $20 for each oil change, and $15 to tune-up a small engine. He works hard the next five weeks, and manages to do 15 oil changes ($300) and revamps 6 small engines ($90) That $390 will be matched by Dad for a total of $780. Biff smirks and drops another $50 in the vacation fund. He has given up going to the movies for five weeks. Mama Spiff smiles proudly as Papa Spiff drops in his share. 

Tiff Spiff makes and sells jewelry to local boutiques. With Mother's Day and Father's Day coming, she surveys her best customers. Tiff discovers that silk flower corsages would be popular gifts for Mom, and reptilian tie clips are all the rage for Dad. She determines that she can sell both items for $10 each.

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