Thrift is an odd word, often synonymous with cheap. If it’s ever a compliment, it’s a begrudging one. What’s been lost over the years, however, is the recognition that the root word of thrift is thrive. Our goal as parents isn’t to promote the stingy type of thrift or the resolute version that previous generations of Americans generally turned to only when the economy or war shortages demanded it. Instead, we’re aiming to do three things: set some spending guidelines to lean on; model a few sensible tactics for our children; and adopt family rituals that make spending fun—but only on things
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